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Guide to Tolkien's Letters
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1 May (edited)
2026-5-1 8:48:34 AM UTC
Does anyone know whether the HarperCollins deluxe editions of The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition and J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography are still in their first printings if ordered directly from HarperCollins at the moment?

I'd be incredibly surprised if they weren't still in their first impression, they've only been out for two months and they're not going to be particularly high demand publications.

I bought Tales from the Perilous Realm from this series last year and got a first impression despite it having been published seven years (?) before.
1 May (edited)
2026-5-1 9:05:59 AM UTC

dlloyd wrote:

Does anyone know whether the HarperCollins deluxe editions of The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition and J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography are still in their first printings if ordered directly from HarperCollins at the moment?

I'd be incredibly surprised if they weren't still in their first impression, they've only been out for two months and they're not going to be particularly high demand publications.

I bought Tales from the Perilous Realm from this series last year and got a first impression despite it having been published seven years (?) before.

Could you post pictures of the front board and the copyright page of your first impression of TftPR?
1 May
2026-5-1 10:25:48 AM UTC
Will do when I get home later. (There is a distinct possibility I am mistaken.)
1 May
2026-5-1 1:26:08 PM UTC

dlloyd wrote:

Does anyone know whether the HarperCollins deluxe editions of The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition and J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography are still in their first printings if ordered directly from HarperCollins at the moment?

I'd be incredibly surprised if they weren't still in their first impression, they've only been out for two months and they're not going to be particularly high demand publications.

I bought Tales from the Perilous Realm from this series last year and got a first impression despite it having been published seven years (?) before.

Then u have been very lucky. Several impressions of this.
1 May (edited)
2026-5-1 1:36:15 PM UTC

dlloyd wrote:

Will do when I get home later. (There is a distinct possibility I am mistaken.)

If it is a 1st it will have a very noticeable "1" on the copyright page, and the device on the book it self will differ from the copy on the slip case. Red/Gold on book, Gold only on slipcase. Printer should be Clays in the UK
1 May
2026-5-1 1:51:55 PM UTC
I've also heard about a 'False" first with a capital "1"ont the copyright page, but printed in China (rather than Clay) and the device on the book itself without red/gold embossing.
1 May (edited)
2026-5-1 2:30:04 PM UTC

Emilien wrote:

I've also heard about a 'False" first with a capital "1"ont the copyright page, but printed in China (rather than Clay) and the device on the book itself without red/gold embossing.

Indeed, Here is a photo of the copyright page of the China reprint (appears to be a first - but is not.....)

Gallery

11_69f4b8bfbaeea.jpg 1483X1978 px

11_69f4b9184b74c.jpg 2484X1863 px
1 May (edited)
2026-5-1 4:03:14 PM UTC
Edit: Mystery solved... this was the only book I didn't get direct from Harper Collins. It was an ebay purchase for £40.

Gallery

6364_69f4ceb8419ea.jpg 1512X2016 px
1 May
2026-5-1 4:04:52 PM UTC
Gallery

6364_69f4cf17c651a.jpg 2016X1512 px
1 May
2026-5-1 4:54:30 PM UTC

remy wrote:

Emilien wrote:

I've also heard about a 'False" first with a capital "1"ont the copyright page, but printed in China (rather than Clay) and the device on the book itself without red/gold embossing.

Indeed, Here is a photo of the copyright page of the China reprint (appears to be a first - but is not.....)


I knew I saw this somewhere. Thank you for refreshing my memory sir!
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