Collecting Anniversary
16 Dec, 2025
2025-12-16 5:35:44 PM UTC
2025-12-16 5:35:44 PM UTC
The end of 2025 marks one full year since I started collecting Tolkien books. Last Christmas, I was gifted the deluxe pocket box set from my lovely wife. To her eventual dismay, that set sent me out into the collecting world.
I wanted to share my journey from this first year as a way to document for myself, but also because I haven't shared too much of my collection at this point. I feel like I am at the point where I have a few notable copies that make the progress rather exciting.
While reading the Hobbit for the first time earlier this year, I started researching what else Tolkien had written and it ran way deeper than I realized. Suddenly there were entire layers of Middle-earth lore, essays, academic works, and rare obscure editions. When I realized that I could buy many first editions of Tolkienâs works for prices similar to brand-new modern reprints, I started really taking an interest to it.
I don't think I will ever become a completist (trying to collect all the special editions, limited editions, box sets etc.) my real interest is in the originals and rare copies.
My original collecting goal was simple: find the oldest editions I could, for the lowest price possible. I loved the idea of holding a book that had already lived a life before it reached me. There is a sort of mystique around the older, rarer copies - something difficult to put into words. This is why I havenât gravitated toward many modern editions; reading these older books draws me closer to a time when the stories were still unpublished thoughts. It feels like I have a certain connection to the author â the story feels more alive.
Throughout the year, package after package would arrive at the doorstep. My wife would watch me open them and inevitably say, âDonât you already have the Lord of The Rings?â She doesn't quite understand :)
Of course, I couldn't check everything off my list in a single year, but I acquired far more than I expected. I know from personal experience how overwhelming starting a Tolkien collection can beâespecially comparing today's prices to what they were ten years ago. Thatâs one reason I wanted to share this. I want newer collectors to see that there are still valuable, yet affordable copies out there if youâre patient, persistent, and willing to dig.
My collection still has plenty of gaps, and Iâm excited to see how it grows in the next year. For those of you who have been collecting for decades, my shelf might seem pretty modestâbut itâs getting there!
My LOTR box sets. I had more at one point, but I started buying large lots and reselling the ones I didnât want so I could purchase more books I actually wanted. Iâve since moved on from reselling and now just look for good deals. The Ballantine set is 3/3/3, with the books themselves in VG condition. The leather set is where this all started.
Some recent reprints, miscellaneous paperbacks, and books about Tolkien
The '70s LoTR set has one of my favorite dj designs. I haven't gotten around to completing the set as I have been distracted with other things. The '80s TT is a 13th impression in the later dj. Also working on completing that set.
All of these were inadvertently purchased earlier this year - I quickly discovered that some sellers do not attach the proper photos to their listings.
First prints of more recent Tolkien publications.
First printing HoME with a few exceptions. I will complete the set this year, then look to replace the reprints.
First edition UT, the UK version is a 3rd print - I will look to update this to a first printing next year
First print Silmarillions with the BCE that I originally purchased from a used bookstore. The UK version is VG+ with no vading or dj nicks.
Purchased both 1st edition Silmarillion's for $12 on Amazon. Iâve found that Amazon can be a great place to find affordable copies, though photos are often not included unless requested.
2nd edition 2nd impression LoTR set. Unread condition though DJ edges have light shelf wear
Signed Bovadium
Some US 1st printings. Farmer Giles has a good dj though there is spine fading and creasing
Sir Hiedrek in good condition - picked up for $15 last month.
A first printing of Pearl, previously owned by Deborah Webster (the recipient of Tolkien Letter 213 and author of J.R.R. Tolkien: A Critical Biography), and Ancrene Riwle, previously owned and inscribed by Sister Michealine, a diocesan and teacher in Ohio. She was a student at Notre Dame University in 1960, which is only 5 miles from where I found this book.
I found this book on Craigslist. Wonder Tales From Fairy Poetry was published in 1929 and contains the poem "Goblin Feet".
My three hardback Hobbits:
- 1st/2nd UK ex-library
- 2nd/14th US (last printed with the British plates)
- Third edition
Further photos of the first edition below
I was thrilled to grab the first edition â I never expected to own one. Itâs ex-library and missing the original maps, but it was within reach. I look forward to reading this copy alongside History of The Hobbit early next year. While Iâm aware that itâs a valuable copy, I still try to read all of my hardcovers, and this one wonât be an exception.
I wanted to share my journey from this first year as a way to document for myself, but also because I haven't shared too much of my collection at this point. I feel like I am at the point where I have a few notable copies that make the progress rather exciting.
While reading the Hobbit for the first time earlier this year, I started researching what else Tolkien had written and it ran way deeper than I realized. Suddenly there were entire layers of Middle-earth lore, essays, academic works, and rare obscure editions. When I realized that I could buy many first editions of Tolkienâs works for prices similar to brand-new modern reprints, I started really taking an interest to it.
I don't think I will ever become a completist (trying to collect all the special editions, limited editions, box sets etc.) my real interest is in the originals and rare copies.
My original collecting goal was simple: find the oldest editions I could, for the lowest price possible. I loved the idea of holding a book that had already lived a life before it reached me. There is a sort of mystique around the older, rarer copies - something difficult to put into words. This is why I havenât gravitated toward many modern editions; reading these older books draws me closer to a time when the stories were still unpublished thoughts. It feels like I have a certain connection to the author â the story feels more alive.
Throughout the year, package after package would arrive at the doorstep. My wife would watch me open them and inevitably say, âDonât you already have the Lord of The Rings?â She doesn't quite understand :)
Of course, I couldn't check everything off my list in a single year, but I acquired far more than I expected. I know from personal experience how overwhelming starting a Tolkien collection can beâespecially comparing today's prices to what they were ten years ago. Thatâs one reason I wanted to share this. I want newer collectors to see that there are still valuable, yet affordable copies out there if youâre patient, persistent, and willing to dig.
My collection still has plenty of gaps, and Iâm excited to see how it grows in the next year. For those of you who have been collecting for decades, my shelf might seem pretty modestâbut itâs getting there!
My LOTR box sets. I had more at one point, but I started buying large lots and reselling the ones I didnât want so I could purchase more books I actually wanted. Iâve since moved on from reselling and now just look for good deals. The Ballantine set is 3/3/3, with the books themselves in VG condition. The leather set is where this all started.
Some recent reprints, miscellaneous paperbacks, and books about Tolkien
The '70s LoTR set has one of my favorite dj designs. I haven't gotten around to completing the set as I have been distracted with other things. The '80s TT is a 13th impression in the later dj. Also working on completing that set.
All of these were inadvertently purchased earlier this year - I quickly discovered that some sellers do not attach the proper photos to their listings.
First prints of more recent Tolkien publications.
First printing HoME with a few exceptions. I will complete the set this year, then look to replace the reprints.
First edition UT, the UK version is a 3rd print - I will look to update this to a first printing next year
First print Silmarillions with the BCE that I originally purchased from a used bookstore. The UK version is VG+ with no vading or dj nicks.
Purchased both 1st edition Silmarillion's for $12 on Amazon. Iâve found that Amazon can be a great place to find affordable copies, though photos are often not included unless requested.
2nd edition 2nd impression LoTR set. Unread condition though DJ edges have light shelf wear
Signed Bovadium
Some US 1st printings. Farmer Giles has a good dj though there is spine fading and creasing
Sir Hiedrek in good condition - picked up for $15 last month.
A first printing of Pearl, previously owned by Deborah Webster (the recipient of Tolkien Letter 213 and author of J.R.R. Tolkien: A Critical Biography), and Ancrene Riwle, previously owned and inscribed by Sister Michealine, a diocesan and teacher in Ohio. She was a student at Notre Dame University in 1960, which is only 5 miles from where I found this book.
I found this book on Craigslist. Wonder Tales From Fairy Poetry was published in 1929 and contains the poem "Goblin Feet".
My three hardback Hobbits:
- 1st/2nd UK ex-library
- 2nd/14th US (last printed with the British plates)
- Third edition
Further photos of the first edition below
I was thrilled to grab the first edition â I never expected to own one. Itâs ex-library and missing the original maps, but it was within reach. I look forward to reading this copy alongside History of The Hobbit early next year. While Iâm aware that itâs a valuable copy, I still try to read all of my hardcovers, and this one wonât be an exception.
.webp)
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