2026 HC Deluxe Letters of JRRT (revised) and Deluxe Carpenter's Biography

Both the 2026 Deluxe versions of The Letters of JRRT (revised) and Deluxe Carpenter's Biography arrived in tandem this morning. Both books have a nice feel to them from the "heavyweight acid-free paper" with satin ribbon and attractive design in keeping,of course, with the previous deluxes. Quite a contrast to the History of the Hobbit deluxe with it's disappointing production quality issues and the tightest slipcase it's ever been my misfortune to experience. I'm pleased to report that both volumes seem a fine fit in their slipcases. HC have brought back the photos in the biography (two 8-page photo sections) and the Letters have "unique frontispiece reproducing Tolkien's landmark letter of 4th Feb 1938". The smyth sewn binding is rather tight,especially with the Biography but should open out fine with gentle treatment training the new books. The Appendices of the Biography have been revised and brought up to date. Goodness me,it's been nearly 50 years since this biography was published. I see on Abe books that what I take to be a first edition of Humphrey's book is being offered for the bargain price of £2,090.96 plus £ 22.78 shipping and it's condition is 'New'. Perhaps this should be in 'The Wonders of....' section

Olorin wrote:

Both the 2026 Deluxe versions of The Letters of JRRT (revised) and Deluxe Carpenter's Biography arrived in tandem this morning. Both books have a nice feel to them from the "heavyweight acid-free paper" with satin ribbon and attractive design in keeping,of course, with the previous deluxes. Quite a contrast to the History of the Hobbit deluxe with it's disappointing production quality issues and the tightest slipcase it's ever been my misfortune to experience. I'm pleased to report that both volumes seem a fine fit in their slipcases. HC have brought back the photos in the biography (two 8-page photo sections) and the Letters have "unique frontispiece reproducing Tolkien's landmark letter of 4th Feb 1938". The smyth sewn binding is rather tight,especially with the Biography but should open out fine with gentle treatment training the new books. The Appendices of the Biography have been revised and brought up to date. Goodness me,it's been nearly 50 years since this biography was published. I see on Abe books that what I take to be a first edition of Humphrey's book is being offered for the bargain price of £2,090.96 plus £ 22.78 shipping and it's condition is 'New'. Perhaps this should be in 'The Wonders of....' section

Are you able to compare the paper quality to any of the earlier 1st prints of the deluxe titles? I'm wondering where it sits on the scale of really excellent (e.g. 1st print CoH) to barely-even-paper (1st print Maldon). Sounds like it isn't the latter (which is excellent news).

Is it just me or is the color of the biography edition a much darker brown than the generic mockup in the marketing materials? While the light green for the letter is comparable?

EmilK wrote:

Is it just me or is the color of the biography edition a much darker brown than the generic mockup in the marketing materials? While the light green for the letter is comparable?

The colour of Biography is nearly identical to Unfinished Tales.

I couldnt get these from the HC site so ordered from Awesome books for £60 each last week if anyone is looking to order these.

Any information if there will be signed editions from Blackwells?

Laurin wrote:

Any information if there will be signed editions from Blackwells?

Both editors have sadly died, so not sure who would sign them.

Trotter wrote:

Laurin wrote:

Any information if there will be signed editions from Blackwells?

Both editors have sadly died, so not sure who would sign them.

Oh, I wasn't aware that Humphrey Carpenter died (long ago). Please excuse my ignorance.

Humphrey is buried in the same cemetery as Tolkien, I visit his grave whenever I attend Oxonmoot.