The Silmarillion by J R R Tolkien
The Silmarillion narrates the complexity of Middle-earth through a collection of J.R.R Tolkein’s 5 mythopoeic works, illustrating an extensive history and lore in relation to his work, The Hobbit. The collection was originally published as individual works, but was later rejected due to incompleteness. In 1977 The Silmarillion was edited and published posthumously by Tolkien's son Christopher, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, who later became a noted fantasy writer.
Best selling editions of The Silmarillion
Collecting The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion narrates the complexity of Middle-earth through a collection of J.R.R Tolkein’s 5 mythopoeic works, illustrating an extensive history and lore in relation to his work, The Hobbit. The collection was originally published as individual works, but was later rejected due to incompleteness. In 1977 The Silmarillion was edited and published posthumously by Tolkien's son Christopher, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, who later became a noted fantasy writer.
First Edition Identification
Houghton Mifflin Company published the 1st US edition of The Silmarillion in 1977, as a hardcover. The First Printing of the First Edition has a full number line, and 'First Printing' on the copyright page. Subsequent printings have 'First Edition,' and not a full number line. The first edition contains Wall Street Journal publication information and Tolkien's Middle-earth fold-out map.
The first UK edition was published by George Allan & Unwin in 1977, as a cloth-covered hard-cover. Edited and Foreword by Christopher Tolkien. True First (Export Edition) with no price on DJ, with William Clowes imprint on copyright page. Emblems on unclipped DJ were designed by Tolkien. The emblem from the front panel ( 'Luthien Tinuviel' ) is also found in gilt at the head of spine. Book has blue boards and gilt text on the spine. Top edge dyed blue.Other Collectible or Notable Editions
Easton Press published a 1st Edition 1st Press in 1984 in Norwalk, Connecticut. This Limited Edition was released as a cloth-bound hardcover, accented in 22kt gold, printed on archival paper with gilded edges, smyth sewing & concealed muslin joints. Bound In full leather with hubbed spines.
Houghton Mifflin and Company, New York, published a corrected 1st Edition, 1st Printing in 2004. This work is edited by Christopher Tolkien. 50 full-color illustrations, many of which are new. It also contains several other shorter works "Ainulindale", "Valaquenta", and "Akallabeth" the downfall of Numenor. This new edition of the Silmarillion contains the revised and corrected 'second edition' text and a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1951.