New JRR Tolkien Box Set Includes Tons of Previously Unpublished Works

The vast majority of JRR Tolkien’s “new” books are new editions of his groundbreaking fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings . In fact, new collector’s editions of The Lord of the Rings just went out this week . An even fancier LOTR box set arrives in October, just weeks before a lavish new edition of The Hobbit hits shelves. But this week also saw the first-ever publication of Tolkien’s complete poetry, featuring works about Middle-earth. The Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien is a hefty, 1,728-page, three-volume hardcover box set. If you’re interested in exploring some of Tolkien’s earliest writings, you can add the collection to your library for $112.50 (was $125) via Amazon.

$113 (was $125)

The Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien has a minimalist design, with three matching hardcovers and an understated slipcase to display and store each volume.

The three-volume set contains approximately 200 poems of varying length. Although many of these have been published before, there are over 60 that even the most avid Tolkien readers have never seen.

This collection is particularly interesting because you’ll find poems the author wrote as a teenager, as well as poems he wrote well into his 70s. Juxtaposing the work of a budding writer with that of an aging giant in the world of fiction is a cool way to see his development as a writer.

His verse poetry can be found in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, but the scope of this book extends far beyond Middle-earth. So don’t expect 1,700 pages of poems about Bilbo Baggins.

In addition to Tolkien’s poems, this three-volume collection includes commentary by Tolkien scholars Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. The commentary is intended to give readers a deeper understanding of Tolkien’s life and work.

The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Series

As mentioned above, all three volumes of The Lord of the Rings also received new collector’s editions on September 17th. These new hardcovers feature foil stamping on the cover, stained edges, ribbon bookmarks, and a map of Middle-earth as endpapers. They’re priced at $35 each, so you can save money on The Company of the Ring And The two towers Collector’s Editions at Amazon. The Return of the King is full price, but you can still get all three for $87.50 total, down from $105. A box set with all three releases on November 5th. It will cost you a bit more (and you will have to wait), but the box set comes with a display case and a fold-out map. Pre-orders for The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set cost $94.50 (was $105) at Amazon.

To complete your collection, you can check out the recently released collector’s editions of The Hobbit And The Silmarillion.

Dedicated Tolkien fans with money to spare can pre-order The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set for $292.50 (was $325) at Amazon ahead of its October 1 release. This three-volume hardcover set is a revamp of the 1992 edition, illustrated by acclaimed artist Alan Lee. The new edition features over 50 new drawings and paintings. Like the poetry collection, this set has a similarly understated aesthetic, with blue cloth-and-leather hardcovers and foil-stamped silver typescript and emblems. It also comes with two maps by the late Christopher Tolkien (the author’s son) and three art cards.

Tolkien Illustrated Series

Alan Lee’s illustrations of the places and creatures of Middle-earth are fantastic, but there are more budget-friendly options for illustrated editions of Tolkien’s best-known works. The Tolkien Illustrated Series features drawings by the author himself. Whether you opt for the standard or deluxe edition, these editions of The Lord of the Ring, The HobbitAnd The Silmarillion are beautiful.

The History of Middle-earth Box Sets

The Silmarillion is one of 12 books that comprise The History of Middle-earth, an exhaustive look at Middle-earth across multiple ages. Compiled and edited by Christopher Tolkien using J. R. R. Tolkien’s wealth of background notes, The History of Middle-earth is immense in scope and often fascinating. If you are a huge Tolkien fan and have a deep interest in world-building, they are worth checking out. The series was re-released this year in beautiful new hardcover editions in four box sets (three volumes each).