So far as I can make out, there are four different deluxe editions of HOME, linked below (I guess they’re not actually all called “deluxe,” but I’m not sure how else to categorize them).
Is anyone aware of a comparison between these editions? Is there a good reason—other than price—to get one over the other? My impulse is to get the 2017 edition to match the other de luxe editions I already have (I’m slowly trying to build the whole collection). I drooled over the India paper edition when it came out, but it was way out of my price range. However, prices occasionally come down to something approaching reasonability, so I could hold out for that if need be. However, I’ve yet to read HOME at all, so “holding out” is not my preference! :)
This is my first post here; be gentle.
The original 1000-copy limited set in 3 volumes: , & 2011
Only the 2000/1 and the 2017 are considered by the publisher to be deluxe editions, and really, only the 2000/1 IS in fact a deluxe product (though it has its own issues).
There isn't really any difference between any of the standard trade editions you listed and the 2017 "deluxe", except the standard have dustjackets instead of the paper quarter binding. They are pretty much identical, so it is down to whether you want cloth/dustjackets or the paper quarter-binding. The standard editions are a more durable binding, IMHO, at least cosmetically.
Talking Tolking has a comparison video between the 2017 box set (9780008259846) and the individual volumes that I think are comparable to the other box set with the dust jackets. The analysis indicated that there was very little difference apart from the dust jacket. He says that there is nothing really to separate them and nothing that really makes one of them deluxe.
I have been looking at getting one of these for many years. If I do decide to get one, I think I have landed on 9780008259846 because it is newer and better matches other editions. However, the paper is very thin (so considerd about ease of damage and text bleed-through) and the books are very heavy, so I have opted to get the newer four box sets which each book being an individual book. I am happy with my decision, but have not fully let go of the idea of getting the 9780008259846 one. Right now, what is stopping me is that I have other prioritized purchases that I would like to make and I think that this is not really a priority at all for me at the moment.
The late Stu does bring up an interesting point with regards to the binding.
Thanks much to both of you; that was quite helpful.
@The late Stu, what are the issues you mention with the 2000/1 editions?
The 1st and 2nd volumes tend to have slipcases which are a bit too tight, and the third volume has a different slipcase design, which makes the book quite a lot taller when the three volumes are next to each other on the shelf. I made a replacement slipcase for my third volume to (almost) correct this, but for most people that is going to be too much hassle, realistically. Other than the slipcase issues, they are good.
I have been looking at getting one of these for many years. If I do decide to get one, I think I have landed on 9780008259846 because it is newer and better matches other editions. However, the paper is very thin (so considerd about ease of damage and text bleed-through) and the books are very heavy, so I have opted to get the newer four box sets which each book being an individual book. I am happy with my decision, but have not fully let go of the idea of getting the 9780008259846 one. Right now, what is stopping me is that I have other prioritized purchases that I would like to make and I think that this is not really a priority at all for me at the moment.
Calion I am also new here but not scared to post lol. I'm impressed that you were a member for over 6 months before posting!
The newest William Morrow edition does seem to be (by far) the best bang for your buck. I had purchased one of the HOME 4-box sets (the first one, with Silmarillion, UT, and first two HOME books) but returned it shortly thereafter. The quality felt cheaper and it is a glued, not sewn, binding. Paper quality is indeed thicker, but I seem to prefer thinner paper in general. I haven't spent much time reading these, so I'm not sure how cumbersome they will be. Certainly I expect to rest them in my lap while reading.
Ah, new to this Site Ent is, but sees much to be encouraged by. Not a collector of tree-based products, but Ent did have the newest of this set. Passed it along once he had all the books separately in digital format. . Ent's interest, at his advanced age, is in research at speed-and sadly, the tree-based products just do not lend themselves to speed. . Fortunately there was a ready Tolkien enthusiast at hand to pass (most of) his non-digital books along to. . This site may not be the best place for Ent given his predilection to digital works - but there's a lot of information at hand good to know nonetheless.
Ent's interest, at his advanced age, is in research at speed-and sadly, the tree-based products just do not lend themselves to speed.
I find myself wanting both dead-tree and digital versions of many books; paper for reading pleasure and ease, and digital for ease of searching, note-taking, and convenience.
Edited by The late Stu on 2025-11-10 4:23:01 AM UTC
2025-11-10 4:15:33 AM UTC
Calion wrote:
Ent's interest, at his advanced age, is in research at speed-and sadly, the tree-based products just do not lend themselves to speed.
I find myself wanting both dead-tree and digital versions of many books; paper for reading pleasure and ease, and digital for ease of searching, note-taking, and convenience.
I pretty much exclusively read HoME digitally. In fact that goes for most of the Tolkien stuff I have at this point. I did read Bovadium yesterday (well, as far as the start of the Essay, anyway) -- and all I could think was "I'd prefer this on my Kobo!". As your eyes get older, they really are a lot better than paper.
This site may not be the best place for Ent given his predilection to digital works - but there's a lot of information at hand good to know nonetheless.
We do cover digital editions of Tolkien's work, as they are increasingly more popular, though difficult to collect in the traditional sense.
6