Comparison of Tolkien illustrated Deluxe LotR with Contributor's Edition
12 Nov, 2021
2021-11-12 4:16:43 PM UTC
2021-11-12 4:16:43 PM UTC
Finally I've got a copy of the new Tolkien illustrated deluxe edition. This here is a comparison with its twin, the contributor's edition, which has been produced for all those who worked on the 50th anniversary edition of the book.
Both editions are housing in slipcases. The new one is cloth covered and has a hole to visualise Sauron's eye from the cover of the book. The ring inscription is flanked only by the ring of Gandalf. The used carton is thicker and more sturdier than that used for the contributor's edition. The latter is covered by buckram and the ring symbol flanked by all three elven rings.
The new book edition is a little bit smaller but thicker than the older one. The used 'leather' is much thinner and looks more like a bonded leather. The red colour is bright and the spine inscription is printed more at the surface of the leather. This book is quarter bound with black cloth.
The contributor's edition uses a thick and darker red morocco leather, inscriptions are printed deeper into the leather and the ribs on the spine are more prominent. It is quarter bound with grey paper covered boards.
The flyleaves of the Tolkien illustrated edition are made of yellow/orange thin carton paper, in the contributor's edition is used a thick marble paper.
The used paper for the contributor's edition looks more noble, it is smoother and more white. The whole book is printed in black letter colour with the exception of the ring inscription in chapter 2, wich is done in red, and the bicoloured integrated maps.
In the contributor's edition it is added the 'Note on the Text' by Doug Anderson and the 'Note on the 50th Anniversary Edition' by Hammond and Scull, but it lacks the 'Note on the Illustrations', and the illustrations as well, with the exception of fold-out pages of the leaves from the book of Mazarbul.
The ribbon marker (important!!!!) is twice as wide with its own structure.
The Index has no foreword.
The maps are much smaller and integrated in the book. There are no added gimmicks like the 'King's Letter' or the facsimiles of the 'Leaves of the Book of Mazarbul'
I've added a bulk of pictures to have a view on both editions.
Both editions are housing in slipcases. The new one is cloth covered and has a hole to visualise Sauron's eye from the cover of the book. The ring inscription is flanked only by the ring of Gandalf. The used carton is thicker and more sturdier than that used for the contributor's edition. The latter is covered by buckram and the ring symbol flanked by all three elven rings.
The new book edition is a little bit smaller but thicker than the older one. The used 'leather' is much thinner and looks more like a bonded leather. The red colour is bright and the spine inscription is printed more at the surface of the leather. This book is quarter bound with black cloth.
The contributor's edition uses a thick and darker red morocco leather, inscriptions are printed deeper into the leather and the ribs on the spine are more prominent. It is quarter bound with grey paper covered boards.
The flyleaves of the Tolkien illustrated edition are made of yellow/orange thin carton paper, in the contributor's edition is used a thick marble paper.
The used paper for the contributor's edition looks more noble, it is smoother and more white. The whole book is printed in black letter colour with the exception of the ring inscription in chapter 2, wich is done in red, and the bicoloured integrated maps.
In the contributor's edition it is added the 'Note on the Text' by Doug Anderson and the 'Note on the 50th Anniversary Edition' by Hammond and Scull, but it lacks the 'Note on the Illustrations', and the illustrations as well, with the exception of fold-out pages of the leaves from the book of Mazarbul.
The ribbon marker (important!!!!) is twice as wide with its own structure.
The Index has no foreword.
The maps are much smaller and integrated in the book. There are no added gimmicks like the 'King's Letter' or the facsimiles of the 'Leaves of the Book of Mazarbul'
I've added a bulk of pictures to have a view on both editions.
![DFFC87C6-BC63-4AF4-B7B8-5AB9AA747CF1.jpeg 4779_618e8e47337c0.jpeg 4032X3024 px](https://www.tolkienguide.com/uploads/newbb/4779_618e8e47337c0.jpeg)
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![C5703346-A318-4D44-B9E1-3D5092A7FD23.jpeg 4779_618e9087ece42.jpeg 4032X3024 px](https://www.tolkienguide.com/uploads/newbb/4779_618e9087ece42.jpeg)
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![9BA63468-7973-4B1F-9B5D-E704124DB1A6.jpeg 4779_618e90aa6a7c1.jpeg 4032X3024 px](https://www.tolkienguide.com/uploads/newbb/4779_618e90aa6a7c1.jpeg)