insurrbution wrote:

I really like the looks of the A&U hardbacks from the '70s - until HarperCollins took over. If they're all on a shelf, they blend in with one another really well: the first edition Silmarillion really goes with the Lord of the Rings hardbacks (from 1973), as well as the first edition of Unfinished Tales, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, and others such as Letters.

I know there's some here who don't care for matching editions, though, to me, all titles part of a design style look like....well, a collection.

That said, there have been some nice 'unique editions' throughout the years (ie: Michael Hague's & Jemima Catlin's Hobbit as well as certain editions of LotR, like the hardbacks from 1987 that feature Tolkien's artwork on the covers of the dustjackets. Nice set, though no other titles blend in with that particular style, in terms of design)

I think GA&U did a good job of having a degree of similarity between the editions (so they are clearly part of the same family), without essentially making them look the same (albeit maybe with different colours). I don't think HarperCollins as really managed that, though tbf, it is harder when you are talking about 15 titles rather than a handful.

Stu wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

I really like the looks of the A&U hardbacks from the '70s - until HarperCollins took over. If they're all on a shelf, they blend in with one another really well: the first edition Silmarillion really goes with the Lord of the Rings hardbacks (from 1973), as well as the first edition of Unfinished Tales, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, and others such as Letters.

I know there's some here who don't care for matching editions, though, to me, all titles part of a design style look like....well, a collection.

That said, there have been some nice 'unique editions' throughout the years (ie: Michael Hague's & Jemima Catlin's Hobbit as well as certain editions of LotR, like the hardbacks from 1987 that feature Tolkien's artwork on the covers of the dustjackets. Nice set, though no other titles blend in with that particular style, in terms of design)

I think GA&U did a good job of having a degree of similarity between the editions (so they are clearly part of the same family), without essentially making them look the same (albeit maybe with different colours). I don't think HarperCollins as really managed that, though tbf, it is harder when you are talking about 15 titles rather than a handful.

I understand what you mean: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings (boxed set w/ the Companion), The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales are a part of one 'family', as you've said, while the great tales are a part of another. Oh, and then there's the omnibus editions of The History of Middle-earth, the 1-book edition of The History of The Hobbit and the Hammond & Scull boxed set being part of yet another.

GA&U hardbacks were beautiful. These are the hardbacks I first acquired back in the late 70’s early 80’s when I started reading Tolkien - mainly as birthday and Christmas presents. I still have them and they form the backbone of my collection. Good quality books, quite sober in their presentation, with stained top edges. I love the look of the GA&U hardback LOTR volumes, Hobbit, Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales , Letters, the Monster and the Critics, Fosters Guide and the HOME on the shelf.

I was very lucky last week. Could hold on some really nice books, all 1st. (Longmans is a reprint) Especially the UT has a very good dj. Paid less than 50€ for the lot ?

laurin666 wrote:

I was very lucky last week. Could hold on some really nice books, all 1st. (Longmans is a reprint) Especially the UT has a very good dj. Paid less than 50€ for the lot ?

Those are in great shape (love seeing blue on a UT spine!) and a fantastic price. Congrats!

laurin666 wrote:

I was very lucky last week. Could hold on some really nice books, all 1st. (Longmans is a reprint) Especially the UT has a very good dj. Paid less than 50€ for the lot ?

Nice finds and top price, @laurin666,
Did you find them in Germany?
Gratuliere Dir zum Schnäppchen ?

Nice. Which specific reprint is the Longmans?

Ithildin wrote:

Did you find them in Germany?
Gratuliere Dir zum Schnäppchen ?

Yes, I found them in Germany.

Stu wrote:

Nice. Which specific reprint is the Longmans?

2nd of 69.

laurin666 wrote:

Ithildin wrote:

Did you find them in Germany?
Gratuliere Dir zum Schnäppchen ?

Yes, I found them in Germany.

Stu wrote:

Nice. Which specific reprint is the Longmans?

2nd of 69.

Pretty sure I have that one, or I would be offering you a swap for a 1st in essentially the same condition. I keep getting near fine 1sts and it is super-annoying as I want to get all the prints!

Also, don't put that UT on your bookshelf unless the room has no outside light. The blue text on the spine will be white in a year, if you do!