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The 2000 Lee Illustr. Hobbit vs The 2009 printing
29 May, 2025
2025-5-29 8:56:07 PM UTC
2025-5-29 8:56:07 PM UTC
Hello,
Over Easter, I searched for an Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit. The 2009 version, printed in India, is readily available on Amazon for $25. Then I found a 2000 version, printed in Singapore.
From the photos, hopefully you can see; the 2000 paintings look like water colors with a soft wash on the skies and soft line work as well. The 2009 illustrations show lots of grain in the clouds and skies and the line work as well, with a much darker tone and appearance.
I guess the case could be made for the value of the 2009 copy, with the dark detailed line work on the figures, the crisper condition of the pages, simply because it is newer and also has a painting of the Green Dragon on the back of the fly leaf that the 2000 printing doesn't have. But apart from it being older, I think I prefer the softer details and wash and the look of the 2000 printing.
I have attached photos to get opinions of which printing's images are preferable. In all photos, the 2000 is on the left and the 2009 is on the right. Thanks.
Over Easter, I searched for an Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit. The 2009 version, printed in India, is readily available on Amazon for $25. Then I found a 2000 version, printed in Singapore.
From the photos, hopefully you can see; the 2000 paintings look like water colors with a soft wash on the skies and soft line work as well. The 2009 illustrations show lots of grain in the clouds and skies and the line work as well, with a much darker tone and appearance.
I guess the case could be made for the value of the 2009 copy, with the dark detailed line work on the figures, the crisper condition of the pages, simply because it is newer and also has a painting of the Green Dragon on the back of the fly leaf that the 2000 printing doesn't have. But apart from it being older, I think I prefer the softer details and wash and the look of the 2000 printing.
I have attached photos to get opinions of which printing's images are preferable. In all photos, the 2000 is on the left and the 2009 is on the right. Thanks.
Thanks. I searched everywhere on the copyright page but there is nothing but the 1997 date. Inside the back of the flyleaf at the bottom I found this:
I am wondering if the Green Dragon print appears somewhere in the breakout from the 2020 box set?
If so, I will probably keep the 2000 printing with the soft washes and line work, rather than the hard edged, dark 2009 printing I got from Amazon..?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0008376115/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A30UH7RV1UCIV3&psc=1
If so, I will probably keep the 2000 printing with the soft washes and line work, rather than the hard edged, dark 2009 printing I got from Amazon..?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0008376115/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A30UH7RV1UCIV3&psc=1
I ordered a copy of the Hobbit breakout from the 2020 Box from Blackwell's. They seemed to have a fair amount of good reviews on packing and delivering damage-free copies. But rather than a box, they used the same flimsy thin cardboard mailer Amazon uses. One corner took the wrath of the mail handler and therefore, dented the top of the spine.
Don't know if I'll keep this or not since I do have the 2000 Hobbit edition with the soft washes and even tones on the illustrations. And I picked up the 70th Anniversary Deluxe LOR Lee Trilogy from last year around Christmas. Uruloke mentioned in the 70th Trilogy unboxing video that it's a good bet that, as the 70th Ann. trilogy set followed the Deluxe Lee Folio Trilogy, a Harper Collins Hobbit may follow the 2024 Folio Super Deluxe Hobbit and be released this year.
Don't know if I'll keep this or not since I do have the 2000 Hobbit edition with the soft washes and even tones on the illustrations. And I picked up the 70th Anniversary Deluxe LOR Lee Trilogy from last year around Christmas. Uruloke mentioned in the 70th Trilogy unboxing video that it's a good bet that, as the 70th Ann. trilogy set followed the Deluxe Lee Folio Trilogy, a Harper Collins Hobbit may follow the 2024 Folio Super Deluxe Hobbit and be released this year.
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