The late Stu wrote:

Nope, sticking with the original 1st prints! I do like the box art on the new set, though. I might buy it to scan it.

This is a really nice looking box The late Stu, probably thicker boards that one we're going to get from HarperCollins as well. I do like the artwork they chose for the box though!

Alan wrote:

I hope the mock-up images do not entirely reflect the final product. I'd be sorely upset if they keep it showing just TOLKIEN and not J.R.R. TOLKIEN to match the rest of the series.

I forgot to mention the answer to this as I asked HarperCollins about TOLKIEN on the spine.

The mock-up image is, in fact, correct. It was a specific request by Christopher Tolkien’s family that his contribution to this trio, which include his last two books, be reflected on the spines with the allusion to father-and-son though the use of the generic TOLKIEN. The alternative – the addition of Edited by Christopher Tolkien – simply wasn’t going to fit.

I think we will see TOLKIEN now on the spines for most books, and not J.R.R. Tolkien. It is fortunate that Tolkien is quite an uncommon name, and this can be done.

that his contribution to this

They just realized in the 6th box?

Joselillo3 wrote:

They just realized in the 6th box?

Seriously. Here at the very end, they make this decision. While completely understandable, it is a bit frustrating…

I don't see the issue with 'Tolkien' on the cover. From the correspondence posted by Trotter (thank you for posting that info), it appears the family wanted it for these three books specifically. They were Tolkien's 'three great tales' after all, which is obviously of some importance to the family. It is not an afterthought in any sense.

Yes, it's not a big deal, I know. I overcame my OCD years ago hahaha.

But sometimes, when they say "something that was never done before" (for the misterious announcement) , I think... it'll be a set that REALLY MATCHES!

Sorry for the sarcasm. I am a bit pissed off with HC lately 😅

I think that’s likely in reference to The Bovadium Frsgnents.

My questions
1. The 2020 Hobbit & LOTR, Silmarillion & Unfinished Tales were good quality. The Christopher Tolkien box sets, not so much. What will the quality be here?

2. New illustrations?

3. Ribbon marker?

Some photos from the HarperCollins Tolkien Newsletter of the boxed set.

If those jackets are representative of the final edition, they are quite rough and oversaturated compared to the original jackets. Huge amounts of additional blue as well. Of course, might just be the photo.