I'm curious as to which images this one will include. Would it be a replication of '08 paperback, but in the hardback format? Also, this looks to be a very indicator as to what the 2022 calendar will be.

In the past, whenever a new (or new edition) Middle-earth book is published, especially if it has a collector's edition (The Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien and The Fall of Gondolin are some such examples) odds are very high that the following year's calendar will be themed around it. Those three examples are concrete evidence of that.

Going back on topic with regards to the illustrations though, here are some others that haven't yet appeared in an edition. Some were done after 2004, and others have been done from before the first illustrated edition in 1998 came out!

- Lake Halevorn: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/lake-helevorn/
- Turgon at Fingolfin’s Cairn: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/turgon-at-fingolfins-cairn/
- Taniquetil: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/taniquetil/
- Annuminas: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/annuminas/

Those are the ones that haven't appeared yet, due to when they were done. Ones that have existed for a while that were not yet included are:

-Luthien: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/luthien/
- Tuor Reaches the Hidden City of Gondolin: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/tuor-reaches-the-hidden-city-of-gondolin/
- Morgoth and the High King of Noldor: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/morgoth-and-the-high-king-of-noldor/
- Eärendil Searches Tirion: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/earendil-searches-tirion/
- Lúthien Escapes the Treehouse: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/luthien-escapes-the-treehouse/
- The Slaying of Glaurung: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-slaying-of-glaurung/
- The Incoming Sea at the Rainbow Cleft: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-incoming-sea-at-the-rainbow-cleft/
- Fingon and Gothmog: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/fingon-and-gothmog/
- Aulë and the Seven Fathers: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/aule-and-the-seven-fathers/
- The Nauglamir: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-nauglamir/
- Aredhel, the White Lady: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/aredhel-the-white-lady/
- Tuor at Vinyamar: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/tuor-at-vinyamar/

Would it be possible for a chart to get made, detailing which images have appeared in which editions? Much like the Father Christmas one. For documentation and reference purposes

I love this cover and think it will stand so beautifully with UT. Can't wait to own it. The contrast of colours is perfect I feel.

On a more general note I am delighted that Christopher has been discussed so extensively within such a small blurb. His work as we all here know is monumental to our own enjoyment of Tolkien and we owe him a deep debt. I am also beyond ecstatic that Ted Nasmith gets all the attention with this edition.

Nothing against the image, though I'm surprised it's being used - reason, is because the cover of Unfinished Tales also shows ships (possibly even the same scene), so I was expecting a different one to be used. Still great, though!

insurrbution wrote:

Nothing against the image, though I'm surprised it's being used - reason, is because the cover of Unfinished Tales also shows ships (possibly even the same scene), so I was expecting a different one to be used. Still great, though!

The scene shown on this new edition is 'The Ships of the Faithful' as they flee Numenore. And it looks like Alan Lee depicts the ship that Amroth leaps from and drowns so they are not the same scene.

I personally love the symmetry between the two covers.

That makes sense, then.

I look forward to the finer details, between now and publication:

- what colour will the book/ink/ribbon marker be?
- which images will be included? (and which ones are the new ones they speak of?)
- which image will appear on the rear of the dustjacket?
- what image will be used to wrap around the collector's edition? (Nasmith's Blue Wizards was used for Unfinished Tales)
- what other items will the collector's edition include? (for Unfinished Tales, we got a double-sided map, and print of the image used for the front of the standard edition's dustjacket)

I most likely won't pick this one up, as I own a first printing of the 1998 edition. I got the 2009 calendar to see some of the images from the '04 edition, and if artwork from this edition will be used for the 2022 calendar, I'll most likely get that to see some of the new artwork, like before.

onthetrail wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

Nothing against the image, though I'm surprised it's being used - reason, is because the cover of Unfinished Tales also shows ships (possibly even the same scene), so I was expecting a different one to be used. Still great, though!

The scene shown on this new edition is 'The Ships of the Faithful' as they flee Numenore. And it looks like Alan Lee depicts the ship that Amroth leaps from and drowns so they are not the same scene.

I personally love the symmetry between the two covers.

I totally agree, as UT is in a way an extension of the Silmarillion. Both work together, as these jackets do. One show the flee from Numenor, the other the arrival in Middle Earth.

Emilien wrote:

onthetrail wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

Nothing against the image, though I'm surprised it's being used - reason, is because the cover of Unfinished Tales also shows ships (possibly even the same scene), so I was expecting a different one to be used. Still great, though!

The scene shown on this new edition is 'The Ships of the Faithful' as they flee Numenore. And it looks like Alan Lee depicts the ship that Amroth leaps from and drowns so they are not the same scene.

I personally love the symmetry between the two covers.

I totally agree, as UT is in a way an extension of the Silmarillion. Both work together, as these jackets do. One show the flee from Numenor, the other the arrival in Middle Earth.

I do love the cover art, and it'll be nice to have since I don't have the PB with this cover that came out some years back. I guess I was just hoping for something more "Elvish" as the bulk of the Silmarillion is about the Elves.

With no "inside information" to sway my opinion, I do agree with the others here that it is quite likely that the cover for this particular edition is intended to synchronize with the Amazon TV series that focuses on the Second Age, with some new artwork added to make it more interesting to those of us who already have other editions.

Publishers have to keep their "evergreen" content fresh, so cover updates are of course quite common. I am personally quite glad that they decided to work with Ted to produce some brand new art for this edition, and look forward to seeing it!

Even if it didn't bring new artwork to the table, I'm really glad that The Silmarillion exists in this format. The Tolkien Illustrated Collection Ver. 2 is now complete!

Urulókë wrote:

With no "inside information" to sway my opinion, I do agree with the others here that it is quite likely that the cover for this particular edition is intended to synchronize with the Amazon TV series that focuses on the Second Age, with some new artwork added to make it more interesting to those of us who already have other editions.

Publishers have to keep their "evergreen" content fresh, so cover updates are of course quite common. I am personally quite glad that they decided to work with Ted to produce some brand new art for this edition, and look forward to seeing it!

I agree entirely Jeremy. On all counts. I am delighted that Ted gets this volume and is able to expand upon his excellent work done previously.

As for any marrying between this cover and the future Amazon series I would only offer that if this is the case then great. HarperCollins would be remiss to ignore such opportunity. This is a huge production and if they can sell more Tolkien books we hopefully get more editions to marvel at. It can only be a win/win for all parties imo.