Druss, those names are simply indicators of successive divisions by 12 of the Valian "hour" (which is approximately on solar month). Prime = 1st division by 12, second = 2nd div., terce = 3rd, and so on down to sext = 6th, and then the smallest such division = minim, which is a fraction of a solar second.
Aelfwine wrote:
I'm told that the first Harper Collins (UK) printing of _The Nature of Middle-earth_ (of 12,000 copies) has just about sold out, and that there will be a second printing (of 4,000 copies). For a book as niche as this, that's pretty amazing! The Houghton Mifflin first printing was much larger (3 or 4 times larger, I think), so presumably it is still readily available.
This is a tremendous achievement and congratulations are definitely in order. ?
Having done that… I think I’m going to be getting that 2nd printing, unfortunately, despite having preordered with Amazon Australia back in May when preorders went up, because I’m seeing a dispatch date of early October now. ?
A little consolation for those who get a second printing: it gives me an opportunity to address a number of typos (nothing substantial), so yours will be a corrected printing.
Aelfwine wrote:
A little consolation for those who get a second printing: it gives me an opportunity to address a number of typos (nothing substantial), so yours will be a corrected printing.
Congratulations Carl. So deserved. My physical edition will finally arrive tomorrow ?
Could we maybe have a list of corrections here if it is allowed. I like to update my digital editions where possible.
Ptolemy divided a circle into 360 degrees, a degree into 60 "partes minutae primae" (first minute), and a first minute into 60 "partes minutae secundae" (second minute). That the origin of our minute and second. Tolkien followed this tradition.
Mr. Underhill wrote:
I'm all over that "more rare" 2nd print![]()
You completist collectors are incorrigible. ??
eorl wrote:
Aelfwine wrote:
I'm told that the first Harper Collins (UK) printing of _The Nature of Middle-earth_ (of 12,000 copies) has just about sold out, and that there will be a second printing (of 4,000 copies). For a book as niche as this, that's pretty amazing! The Houghton Mifflin first printing was much larger (3 or 4 times larger, I think), so presumably it is still readily available.
This is a tremendous achievement and congratulations are definitely in order. ?
Having done that… I think I’m going to be getting that 2nd printing, unfortunately, despite having preordered with Amazon Australia back in May when preorders went up, because I’m seeing a dispatch date of early October now. ?
I've had the HarperCollins edition on pre-order from Amazon since February. After not hearing from them until Monday this week, I cancelled my order and decided to support my local bookseller instead. They had to order it too, but still got a first printing copy, which I picked up yesterday.
After watching one of the interviews and reading parts of the Reddit AMA, I'm really looking forward to delving into the book. You've done all Tolkien fans a great service by editing this material, Aelfwine! And kudos for patiently answering the same questions over and over again on different platforms. Looks like you're a wanted man right now.

Australia/NZ release of the deluxe pushed back to Nov 3rd. Presumably those markets will be getting reprints.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Nature-Middl ... uxe&qid=1632261617&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com.au/Nature-Middl ... uxe&qid=1632261617&sr=8-1
Did yours arrive yet Stu?
HarperCollins underestimates of demand combined with supply bottlenecks...
You think they can get 2nds out by then?
HarperCollins underestimates of demand combined with supply bottlenecks...
You think they can get 2nds out by then?