The Hobbit illustrated by JRR Tolkien - Regular & Deluxe Edition Hands-on Review

[@NerdoftheRings]

What do you think of my illustrated History of Middle-earth idea? Also, if you're interested in picking up one of these editions, here's some affiliate links that help the channel: Regular Edition US: amzn.to/3sQwLXz Regular Edition UK: amzn.to/3RjrNwz Deluxe Edition: tinyurl.com/4ewv2dcw

[@stevefontaine1335]

Mat Need Harry Potter Channel.?🙏🙏🙏

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

@@stevefontaine1335 he’s gotta maintain a steady pace on the Star Wars channel first. 😂 but I’m so down for Matt covering Harry Potter

[@CaesarMarcel]

Are we getting Unfinished Tales in this design or was this the final book in this set?

[@eternalistmorqan9476]

The Hobbit realy is that piece of classic literature, that everybody should have read

[@AG-io5wr]

The Hobbit is the first book I read. Couldn't agree more.

[@crumblemuffin1257]

Indeed. It was the first hard cover book I've got. I still remember how I was hellbent on getting the book and then it became a personal tradition of mine to buy one of the books of the middle earth on my birthday!

[@muksa4038]

my cousin read it and he told me that it's boring, I was never more disappointed in my life

[@benbaxter1047]

We got a paperback copy of the Hobbit to read to our oldest child before the movie came out, although my wife had read it and the Lord of the Rings as a teenager.

[@diogenesstudent5585]

Don't tell me what to do.

[@Middle-earthDaily]

What a beautiful new edition! Imagine an animated film in the style of Tolkien's paintings...

[@marionbaggins]

Oooh!!!

[@philipc3221]

I picked up the regular edition at my local B&N yesterday and I love it. It fits really well with the same version of The Silmarillion and my other hardcover Tolkien books. Great job to the printer/publisher!

[@emilywagner6354]

Okay, I don't *_need_* new versions of all the books illustrated by the author, but I *_want_* them! Shut up and take my money! 😄

[@jimmd68]

The illustrations have been published in "The Art Of The Hobbit" and/or "Pictures By J.R.R. Tolkien" but never so many in "The Hobbit" itself ... until now!

[@rpm773]

These remind me of the hardcover Hobbit edition (with what appears to be the same illustrations) that my grandparents gave to me when in 1991 when I turned 15. I still have the book to this day. That book started my lifelong enjoyment of Middle Earth.

[@Dr_Cole]

Fantastic review! This very much wants me to go and grab the extended edition, though I do agree on the poor way in which it sticks out when set aside the other books given its addition work being covered in yellow. I’ll end with my gratitude that you keep sending your praise of Christopher. What amazing work he did to give us another several decades of his father’s works.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

Of all the many different videos I've watched about JRR Tolkien. This has to be the best that I've ever seen. I've been looking for this kind of thing for a long time. And I was not aware of the other two books being already released. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@benbaxter1047]

What a great review. I have been learning about Middle Earth from your channel and reading the books. It is awsome to learn about collector editions of the three main books with coloured illustrations. After watching the two movie trillogies, I can now read special edition books with maps. Awsome!

[@CybershamanX]

Yeah, they've done that map trick before. I think it's pretty clever, actually. Just got my deluxe edition. Just in time because I was about to read it again. I have "reading copies" of Hobbit and LotR by my bed, but rereading the story with a new edition almost makes it feel close to when you read it for the first time. 😊

[@landoncase3946]

Definitely need HoME illustrated editions!! Making nice hardback copies available would be so helpful! Great idea!! Hope they are already working on it!

[@insurrbution]

I'm sorry, but HoM-e won't "work" as an illustrated edition, given the types of books that they are. That's also why The Nature of Middle-earth didn't have artwork. It WOULD be cool - but in execution it doesn't make sense :/

[@DungleBeet]

Bought the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and Lost Tales 1 and 2 from Ebay. Started the Silmarillion and I love Tolkien's writing (I'm not much of a book reader, but I love his lore)

[@jaanaffi]

Thanks Matt❣️ It was very interesting❣️ Love the green, gold and black together 💚🖤❣️

[@cuckoldsamuel]

I will be buying!

[@denisemartino3943]

I first read The Hobbit back in the early 70s and that was the turning point for me to read all of J.R.R.Tolkien’s books. 💕

[@daltondee5666]

Really hope someone connected to Harper-Collins watches and starts furiously writing down your idea for more special editions 😂

[@benbaxter1047]

I hope so too, just credit Matt for his ideas though.

[@Epic_Kingdom]

You beat me to it.

[@nicho7701]

I am happy that I can say this: I own this. Well, almost this. Some years ago there was a limited edition in an all green cover, but with the same pictures. It was a gift from my father. I hold it deer

[@PhilipLichty]

Amazing

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

These books are so beautiful! I love the vast amount of illustrations and the detail that goes into the presentation of these books. The gold foiling on the deluxe edition really makes it pop but I really like the blue script on the other one so I’m torn between which one I like better. While watching this I was thinking you should do it in Asmr 😂. Btw I recently got a wooden tankard with the Green Dragon logo on it from Amazon and I’m really excited to use it! “They come in pints?! I’m getting one!”

[@TKinfinity01]

Was browsing the my local bookstore and found two of the Deluxe Editions in a sea of Tolkien stuff. I was going to wait for an online sale but before I knew it I was on my way to the cash register with a copy in hand and a smile on my face. Lol

[@phoule76]

I like the lettered pages better than the golden finish, but I love that postcard illustration of the original dust jacket.

[@ravenhill_theAnglo-celt-1968]

such a beautiful book, i will be buying mine soon.

[@thehonoredone2361]

Now that right there is a good looking book.

[@skjaldulfr]

The Hobbit is the most delightful Tolkien book to read. So if that's what you're implying, I totally agree.

[@johnjohnson7259]

I love your idea of releasing the older pieces, slowly book by book. Would allow newcomers to start from the earliest writings in middle earth

[@Kev_Cos]

I agree, I have only picked up a few isolated copies of it but having an illustrated versions of these would be amazing. As there are 12 volumes, having John Howe, Alan Lee and Ted Naismith sharing 4 volumes each would be amazing imo

[@sanderambroos5210]

One of the things I would absolutely love to have but would cost a fortune for any publisher to make is the hobbit & lord of the rings together in one volume made to look like the red book of westmarch! That would be the ultimate edition I think!

[@Robb-jf7vg]

I just (today 5-21-24) heard about these Special Editions. And immediately tried to order both. Can not yet find the "Deluxe" in the slip case. But I'll keep looking!

[@Sprosnyelf]

Nice ! thanks for that. I really wanted to see what this book looked like. Thanks !

[@kotalee1989]

Since I've already bought the other two deluxe editions, I gonna choose the deluxe edition of the Hobbit, too. I really can’t imagine what they will publish next time. I think the amount of the original illustrations of Tolkien himself may not be large enough to publish the other books.

[@noahvellacott2643]

Hi man, I love your videos so much you probably won't see this but I have two questions just incase you have: 1 - Can you make a video on Dol Amroth? They are so cool and I really want to know more about the kingdom. Also, 2: for school I am doing a project on whatever I want and I chose "how men handle power in Tolkien's world" - could you give me suggestions on videos to watch on noble men who handled power well and those that were affected by having too much power? I picked this topic because I love the history of men and I also can watch your videos and call it school work!

[@rontalkstabletop]

I got the regular edition. Wish I would have known about the deluxe 😢. I'm still happy with what I have though.

[@CountDracul13]

maaan I love these editions. I own two Lord of the Rings illustrated editions and have The Silmarillion illustrated edition also. They always amaze me with the quality and look of everything. And wow those deluxe editions look incredible.

[@sauronbaggins1833]

The three books of this edition, LOTR, Hobbit and Silmarillion are on sale on Amazon as of March 5th, 2024. I just purchased all three for 122 bucks.

[@helmann9265]

Awesome as always 💯 Thank you 🌟🍃🍁 Happy Birthday to Bilbo and Frodo Baggins (Same day- September 22🥳) 🔥🐲

[@josefn9078]

Loove that Fangorn ilustration arriving to Isengard

[@CybershamanX]

Oh, yeah! An illustrated History of ME would be awesome! 😎👍

[@hobbit_lilly]

the hobbit is my favorite book of all time. I need that deluxe edition (and will order it when I can). I love your history of middle earth idea and would also love to see that!

[@David.Bowman.]

Disappointing: No Legolas, no Tauriel, Bard’s family…. Alfred….

[@philippeflores6672]

It was Peter Jackson's decision to add characters that were not appear in the book, making it more of a second Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

[@Unknownnnn7382]

Wizard has a new Ink printing on their new Magic Set. They could have used that one instead of printing it on the back of the Map. 😊

[@tonybaker1268]

Waiting to complete the set. Can’t wait to have all three regular editions side by side with all three deluxe editions.

[@VoiceoftheRings]

Very cool!!! Love the green and gold! It looks awesome!

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

Most people know that the Tolkien logo has Tolkien's initials, but there's also something else hidden in the logo too which Holly Ordway brings out in her new book "Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography".

[@zivweiss980]

Love the magic playmat

[@marionbaggins]

Would love to get these editions sometime!!! Also I have Bilbo on the Barrel in bag It is so Precious *Sorry, I had to* I love it!!!

[@nate2188764]

I’ve picked up all of these illustrated editions. I’m planning to frame all the maps.

[@fgdj2000]

I already own the standard edition and am totally in love with all three of them. I'll definitely get the deluxe version, but I'm still waiting for a little price drop (The Silmarillion dropped to 99€ last year for instance). As for further illustrated by the author editions I think for me that's it. I love having the big three in both formats, but I don't think I need anything else in this format. Although I really like your idea of an illustrated HoMe, but I'd hope for a paperback edition. I actually don't even own the non-illustrated editions 😅 But it's one of my big goals in life, so to speak. Great review! You are my favorite channel all things Tolkien.

[@Trotter_Tolkien]

I have bought both of them. Some of Tolkien's Black and White illustrations you mentioned, such as Lake Town, were coloured for Tolkien Calendars in the 1970s by H.E. Riddett, if you look at the list of Illustrations in the Book that have indicated the coloured illustrations.

[@SunnyLovetts]

I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like the Hobbit lol 😂 also those are gorgeous covers oh my gosh!

[@annaroselarsen4218]

I'm getting mine tomorrow and can't wait!

[@LeeDee5]

Beautiful this is a must have for me

[@WitchyCrystal]

I received from the mail the regular edition in the exact 21 of Sept. 86 years of the hobbit anniversary 🎉

[@Rapbat-cp1ld]

the regular for the green runic side and the deluxe for the booklet I really liked the moon rune trick

[@CybershamanX]

I love how Thorin's map has the cardinal directions oriented 90 degrees from how maps are usually presented. In this case, North is to the left. Art of the Hobbit has a small section that talks about why it turned out that way. Of course, if you're the creator of the story, then, well, it's simply because that's the way Dwarves have always drawn their maps. 😉

[@kristenrosales2919]

These editions are wonderful. This is perfect for my nephew.

[@hiltrud2001]

Today marks the 86th anniversary of the first publication of The Hobbit ❣️ September 21, 1937

[@NR-rv8rz]

I personally think it's very crass to put media review quotes on the cover of a book. At least on a high quality book already established. It's essentially an advertisement for itself. If I'm going to be paying good money for quality print I don't want marketing on it. But at least it's just on the dust cover which I would throw away as I think dust covers are anachronistic and just flop about and detract from the pleasure of handling the book.

[@ryanlotgd]

should of released it tomorrow for bilbos birthday missed opertunity lol

[@TheBrothersArda]

Happy Belated Hobbit Day my friend, excellent video and can't wait to get my hands on this book! Honestly it is a relief to see a fresh copy of the Hobbit.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Great video. I haven't picked this up yet. I'd just assumed that I'd get the standard edition, but that deluxe edition is gorgeous.

[@RetroMythologist]

I've seen the deluxe Silmarillion and LOTR on Amazon but did not know there was a deluxe version for The Hobbit (because for some reason it is not on Amazon). Thanks for the link!

[@wendycarr133]

Thank you. Beautiful.

[@Wairoakid]

I got the deluxe edition. Currently with a courier and should be here tomorrow. It will go with the other two deluxe editions on the Tolkien bookcase. I agree regarding the booklet. It should have matched the leather color. I am in New Zealand.

[@musicfighter282]

The thing I want more than anything is a matching Three-volume set of LotR with these author illustrated editions. I understand it’s a single book but it’s much more comfortable to hold the smaller volumes than the combined version.

[@MannyBrum]

There's the Alan Lee illustrated one coming out this year. Outside of having it rebound into separate books yourself, I'm not sure it will be re-released anytime soon.

[@OldCroDad]

Nice thorough review!

[@daganlove8536]

Just ordered mine should be here in a few days

[@Daniel_Jones]

I wish that the extra booklet was printed in the actual book itself perhaps as an appendices. The hobbit is already quite a short book so it would also beef it up a bit, and it would look way nicer on display. If (and hopefully when) I get this edition I think Id display the hobbit to the left so the booklet doesnt interrupt the flow of the spines

[@MercedesVollmar]

Those books are beautiful ❤️ also happy almost Hobbit day!

[@Trainlover206Daedae]

I would like you to do a hands-on review of The Lord of the Rings

[@AnnSan95]

I will get the deluxe edition on Monday. Can’t wait! Also, I am all for new editions of the History of Middle earth since these are the only books still missing in my collection.

[@user-ml2fn8ho6l]

When you show the moon runes , i spelt. " Elendil " so hard , the intruder orcs on my castle ran away !!!

[@MikeDeAngelisMook]

I'm going to buy the 3 illustrated deluxe books over the next month or 2.

[@Timdalf1]

What would be a really adventurous next step in Tolkien publishing, would be a totally newly edited version of The Silmarillion. Perhaps by Sibley or Hostetter in the mode of The Fall of Numenor... Christopher was not happy in the end with his editing of The Silmarillion, and this spurred him to do the vast History of Middle-earth... But with all that material a new sifting of that material into a coherent and cohesive retelling of the First Age in perhaps 2 or three volumes would be valuable. We have something like this in the Children of Hurin, or Beren and Luthien or The Fall of Gondolin, etc. But these are not a cohesive narrative.

[@jacquicollins8826]

Please do a speculation video about Tales of the Shire announced today!

[@NerdoftheRings]

We're gonna chat about it LIVE tonight! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnLInoBmndVoq80

[@augustoorion]

Excellent video! I'm getting the Deluxe Edition next month. If you had to choose, would you pick LoTR 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition or the 60th Anniversary one? Thanks!

[@colinleat8309]

Angus McBride is also one of THE greatest Tolkien Illustrators. His covers for Middle Earth Role Play ( MERP or RMSS 1&2) were a Huge influence on many of us budding young Fantasy artists'. 👍. Not crazy about the colour of The Lord of the Rings version. Orange? I would go with the Deluxe edition for The Hobbit. 🖖😁🤘🇨🇦❤️

[@stephaniecowans3646]

Back in the '80's, I remember buying paperback editions of the LoTR trilogy and The Hobbit, but didn't realize until a few years ago, when I wanted to read the books again (and not depend on the movies for the actual storyline) that I could not find them in my vast book collection. I suspect that when my roommate and I went our separate ways, she must have taken them. I ended up buying the trilogy about 5 yrs ago, but the bookstore didn't have The Hobbit (it's now in my Amazon shopping cart). Sadly, I cannot find an edition of The Silmarillion that doesn't cost a small fortune. Even paperback editions are running $50 and over on Amazon. 😒

[@sharksbean]

If possible I’ll get the hobbit, the silmarillion and the lord of the rings deluxe editions. Might take a while

[@user-kc2hg2pm5m]

This is the same edition as what's done previously, generally. The old school Tolkien art has been put into many editions already.

[@bakoyma]

I agree with you on the booklet colour. It would probably look better without it alltogether. Include it in the book or something... But they look awesome

[@appnzllr]

Tolkien does a great job of creating the images in your mind. (When I first read LotR and The Hobbit I felt like I was there.) But some people want someone else to do that work for them. Some of the LotR related artwork that I've seen is great. How would a person get back to Tolkien's original images though?

[@familygonzcartwright]

I would really like a Children of Hurin edition of this type. I think the illustrations would come from the Silmarillion edition but I'm guessing that's not all they have and they could also combine those with original art from other illustrators because when it comes to this it's really more about the format thab the book since the books have been out for a while. It's not like Nature of Middle Earth thathas been out for a year. Books that have been out for a while, unless you don't have them yet, it's more about acquiring a beautiful format.

[@afolsom685]

Very much likeyour idea of illustrated History of Middle Earth volumes. I'm team John Howe and Alan Lee. Love their work. I like some of Naismith's too. Must say I agree with you about the booklet. It is a colour I quite like but it's a jarring note and not at all 'deluxe'.

[@collinturner453]

Just picked up the deluxe edition!

[@PhilBoswell]

I bought myself the regular version of LOTR last year for Christmas, so this year I have to choose between The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, leaving the other for next year-oh, what a horrendous choice 🤣 I was slightly worried because the images of the regular edition of The Hobbit at Amazon UK seem to show the edges not being coloured, but then someone posted some review pictures with green edges so now I'm wondering where those other pictures came from…

[@iMaxos]

Man, I just bought Alan Lee editions, and now I regret not buying those 😢

[@miaththered]

You are both older and younger than the voice would imply. Cool review.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Both? Interesting! haha.

[@miaththered]

Both is good! :p @@NerdoftheRings

[@chadmiller4814]

Thank you for this. When will the deluxe edition be released in the United States?

[@claytonmeredith7095]

I just seen this review and then I saw your question. I don't know how this is already out. Cause according to Amazon it will be out in October 2024.

[@insurrbution]

Great indeed: Personally, not a fan of those slipcased/deluxe editions: too pricey, but there's been printing issues here and there as far back as the Kullervo one. If I were new to Tolkien, or looking to get a new hardback set, I'd be torn between the illustrated by the author ones, or the Alan Lee (Hobbit + LotR) and up-coming Christopher Tolkien boxed sets (box 1 is Silm, UT, and Bolt 1 & 2)

[@matthewgaudet4064]

I'd love the book of lost tales or the lost road. Or even the Lays of Beleriand.

[@Epoxinator]

It would have been nice if the publisher had included a pouch to keep the map from accidentally falling out of the book.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

HAPPY HOBBIT DAY!!!!❤❤❤🧝‍♀️🧝‍♂️🧙‍♂️🍻🥔♥️♥️♥️

[@stevehoran6011]

Well, I got both editions … call me spoiled

[@Sams911]

maybe I missed it, but who's the publisher of these, and where are they printed and bound? One thing I like about books from Folio Society is the are appropriately published, printed and bound in the UK..

[@Em4gdn1m]

Gorgeous! The Deluxe Edition seems sold out already :(

[@mr.retrohale6673]

I would've liked a beowulf deluxe edition

[@noodles2459]

I have only ever read The Hobbit. It is my favorite Fantasy book next to The Marvelous Land of Oz. I find reading LOTR to be a bit difficult. Due to how small the text is in some printing and how dense it can be. As a teen I found them incredibly hard to read even as someone who read a lot as a adolescent. Once and Future King was even worse as it's in old english.

[@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked]

Lots of people reported problems with the LOTR deluxe edition. Things like pages in the wrong order, smudges on the pages, breaks in the page edges, the binding being flimsy, etc. Does this one suffer from those problems?

[@GreatGreebo]

*NotR* : Do you know *where* I can find the edition with Tolkien’s drawings but instead of runes, all the writing is in Elvish? You mentioned in your video there is an edition like this?! Hopefully you see this comment 🤞Please & thank you!