Reading Your Collection

I read through a lot of my collection, to include my first editions. There are some that are so fragile that it’s not worth reading them for me, like the new deluxe illustrated editions you mentioned, or the folio society ones. But yeah. I’m currently doing my annual read through (currently working through two towers) and I’ve used my first editions (both uk and us), Easton press, 2004 deluxe, Alan Lee illustrated, and a spare illustrated by the author set.

I feel like each set has a unique and beautiful experience to offer of its own, and every time I read a different set, it’s a lot like reading through them for the first time, or with fresh eyes! I love it!

I do take very good care of them though. Mylar protectors, clean dry hands, and I don’t transport anything except the Easton press (because they’re built like tanks) or the spare illustrated ones that I don’t mind ruining.

I'm not a big collector of multiple editions of the same work, so if the only edition I have happens to be a deluxe edition, I will definitely read it. If I have multiple editions, I do tend to use the cheaper copies as reading/research copies. I have paged through the recent deluxe illustrated-by-the-author editions, but haven't read them yet. But I do plan to use those to read through with my kids in a few years so they can see Tolkien's illustrations as we go. First editions, I'm more cautious with. If they are so delicate they can't be read without concern that I'd damage them, then I won't read them. But other than concern for the physical structure of the book, I will read first editions if they are the only editions of a book I have and I want to read the book.

Halbarad wrote:

I feel like each set has a unique and beautiful experience to offer of its own, and every time I read a different set, it’s a lot like reading through them for the first time, or with fresh eyes! I love it!

That's a very good point! Last few times I've read LotR have each been from different volumes and I've found each reading unique given how the art of the physical book complemented the story.

I personally have reading copies, though I'll flick through other copies (no point in having them if you never enjoy the specific form of particular editions). I do own editions that I will realistically never read at all after the first flick through - but that's just where I didn't think the quality of the edition or content was very good (the Author Illustrated editions are a great example of this - I just don't think the added material is any good. I see them as purely financially motivated products ++)

++I won't have anything said against the *real* author illustrated Hobbit that came out in 1937 (illustrated as Tolkien intended it), though. Only the recent artistically incoherent mess offends my eyes.

I used to read my books, but have completely switched to Audiobooks. Great performances and I can listen while driving, walking the dog or doing chores inside or outside the house, on top of leisure time! I do like to look at the pictures of illustrated versions. Never laid eyes on that 1937 Hobbit though . . .

I also only tend to have one copy of each volume so for me, they are all reading copies. I don't have anything rare though so this is an easy decision. The new style pictorial series of trade hardbacks really suit me and they are beautiful on the shelf too. I also treat them with kid gloves. Additionally I am not a fan of slip cases and store box set boxes in a plastic container, stored safe and dry with the books on the shelf.