Hi all,

I figure this question is best suited for this forum, as I’m sure there will be an answer.

Out of curiosity, what type of paper have the illustrated editions been printed on?

Based on observations and photos from the web, I’m guessing it goes like this:

1992 centenary edition (1 book, or 3) of The Lord of the Rings by Alan Lee:
standard paper for text, photo paper (the glossy type) for the artwork

1997 edition of The Hobbit by Alan Lee:
standard paper for the text – and pencil sketches – with photo paper being used for the colour illustrations

1998 edition of The Silmarillion by Ted Nasmith:
standard paper for the text, with photo paper being used for the illustrations.

Also, The Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien and The Fall of Gondolin follow that style.

Now, there are the ‘newer editions’.

1997 edition of The Hobbit by Alan Lee:
do later/current printings have both paper types, or just one (photo paper)?

2002 “reset” edition of The Lord of the Rings (as 3 books) by Alan Lee:
glossy photo paper all throughout

2004 edition of The Silmarillion by Ted Nasmith:
glossy paper all throughout

Is that correct? The type of paper for The Hobbit through the years - as the contents/book itself hasn't really changed - is what I’m most curious about.

Just curious, as things change as books get re-printed and re-published over the years.

Thanks!