The Silmarillion Hardback Book Comparison

Comparing a number of easy-to-find versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion'
Get the 2006 Hardcover Silmarillion here:
amzn.to/2ShEPga
And get the beautiful edition illustrated by Ted Nasmith here:
amzn.to/2UwPlO9
All video and music is by me!

[@nonanon666]

I love that KZbin has a video on damn near anything. Thanks heaps for taking the time to make and upload this video. Just ordered the illustrated version for the wife's birthday, just hoping the larger format fits in the same bookshelf as her other Tolkiens. Coordinated with the daughter, who ordered a hardcover Children of Turin at the same time. The deluxe editions do not appear all that deluxe and do not justify the price point. I'd pay that for leatherbound, not for regular hardcover in a slipcase (personally I have thrown out every box and slipcase a book has ever come with, they just chew space on my shelves).

[@powerfrenzy]

Hmmm. I didn't realize the 2nd edition Nasmith had double the illustrations... I have the Red/Orange Nasmith just because I liked the cover more. Love the binding on that one. Black cloth with silver stamping looks very sharp without the DJ.

[@Greentreeanduril]

Great video. I’ve never really looked into the Ted Nasmith edition before now, but the artwork looks really nice. May have to add it to the Christmas list. I’m lucky enough to own two copies of the deluxe slipcase edition. I picked a battered copy up from eBay for around £6, as I can’t bring myself to handle my deluxe collection too much, I just don’t want to damage them. Enjoyed the vid, look forward to the next.

[@tjb8158]

The timing of this video is uncanny! I just got my first hard cover copy of The Silmarillion in the mail today! its the Ted Nasmith illustrated version, which is gorgeous. Thank you for the video comparing the different versions. More videos like this and character histories and lore videos, and less video game videos please!!!

[@TalkingTolkien]

That illustrated version is great, it's definitely my favourite version of The Silmarillion to get. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

[@PleaseNThankYou]

I have the original. No cover. Water damaged. Map came loose but I keep it tucked between the pages. I love my copy. I've had it since buying it in a thrift store in mid 80's. The paper is so much nicer than newer books. I keep it bedside because I pick it up frequently for reference.

[@Gazmonster1]

Great video. I'd never seen the illustrated version before. Need to add that to my collection now!

[@HunchbackJack]

I really like the deluxe editions, including The Silmarillion. They are a bit pricey, and not really very collectible (unless they are first printings), but they are very well made books and a joy to read. Heavier paper stock, better print quality, stronger binding, foil-stamped boards and a nice slipcase.

[@climbingstill9503]

This was so helpful! I’m looking for first editions for my brother and this helped me identify what I should be looking for - thanks so much!

[@boschram4466]

I got the Ted Nasmith's illustrated Silmarillion. Excellent!

[@Soundtracks92]

Me too! I'm absolutely loving it so far :)

[@thehunter7422]

Same . It looks so cool . Loved the feel of the pages .

[@JohnCena-vk9jr]

Just finished reading it, best book i’ve ever read, the illustrations are a really good addition

[@anondalorian3719]

Me too

[@mafxarr8776]

Excellent video. Very informative. I’ve decided on getting the illustrated one you showed at the end

[@TalkingTolkien]

Great choice!

[@theretrogamer14]

Thank you! I appreciate this nifty overview. The copy I read is a Houghton Mifflin paperback from 1983 and it is probably the worst version that I can think of. The map is printed on the paperback covers in such a way that the spine covers up a good chunk of the map itself, which is absolutely necessary when trying to figure everything out as it occurs throughout. Thankfully the internet is very accessible, but I can only imagine what someone in 1983 was thinking when reading it.

[@lensapnit]

My husband and I got the newer Ted Nasmith one, and we think it was meant to be for us because it was the very last book on the shelf in the bookstore. The price was a bit pricey but, surprisingly, we didn't hesitate to get it because we knew it was a treasure to keep. And true enough, when we read it, it was beautiful, with the illustrations and all.

[@MassimilianoManzoni]

Great video. I got all of them actually (three in English and the illustrated one in Italian), I recently bought a really nice first edition by following your useful suggestions: obviously got one with the title in bright red on the spine ;-) Thanks again.

[@djjay7777]

Awesome video and great review!! I purchased the Ted Nasmith edition of the Silmarillion and i don't regret it at all though my version is different than yours. In the version I got there is no colored map on the back covers, it's just white but at the very end of the book they included a colored folded one, now i assume it is about the same if not the same size as the original one but nonetheless it is awesome glad to have it.

[@gmansard641]

I have a first edition from 1977. A large map at the end, a small single page map inside, and no pictures other than the cover. One frustration when I first read it is the map's limitations. It's not immediately clear where Beleriand fits into the Middle Earth of the later ages, and some important places --- like Angband --- aren't on it at all. I ended up drawing my own map, re-scaling the Beleriand map to fit the map in the original edition of Unfinished Tales (which I also have).

[@mytandasouder4485]

Oh thats awesome! I had quite a bit of confusion with that as well

[@jonathanowen9917]

Excellent review of these books. I have a paperback copy I picked up in college but I am tempted to get the new Nasmith illustrated edition.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I have two copies of the first edition U.S. Silmarillion with the green hardback cover; one with the dust jacket. I also have the Ted Nasmith ( blue) book. I couldn't afford it at the time so my Mother gifted it to me.

[@horizen5460]

Thanks for the The video 🌹 Its great to include every version of the Silmarillion book in one video huge thanks 🙏 I wish you make a video of Tolkien books collection . That would be great 💫

[@pocketcinemafilms2873]

I think if the silmarillion was adapted onto screen, I think it would be better as a show. I haven’t read it yet, but I understand that there’s not really a main storyline overall, which would be hard to make into film, I think.

[@joncarroll2040]

I got my copy of the first edition (American) for pocket change at a library book sale. A big advantage of the smaller map is that its a bit easier to have it folded out while you're reading. The Silmarillion is 100% more readable if you're looking at the map to follow the geography of the story.

[@Ammmericanpie]

Bro your voice is so hypnotizing. You must be doing pretty well with the girls.

[@andrew7955]

I got a first edition (unknowingly) paperback American printing of the original many years back in relatively poor condition for under $5 from a garage book sale on a road trip to Canberra.

[@thenerdofalltrades8190]

Not sure if I should buy the illustrated edition or wait for the new illustrated edition that’s coming early 2021...the oversized one would be nice, but won’t fit in with the other new illustrated editions. I’ll probably just get both.

[@miless544]

There is a Houghton Mifflin first edition, some of which have become collectable due to text errors. There is also a pirated, Taiwanese edition that was not authorized by HM.

[@lifesabeach2597]

I have read this almost as many times as I have LotR and The Hobbit, I have the Ballantine copy with the Darrel K Sweet cover art

[@andreww3609]

I managed to grab a first edition today - thanks for your advice and tips!

[@PrinsessePeach]

I am so happy I got a 1st/1st edition on eBay in excellent condition for almost no money. 🤓

[@keenc9281]

Thanks for the review. I think I roughly have an idea on which edition I'm going to buy.

[@markovasic5972]

I'm quite infatuated with your channel, mate, and with your general approach with professor's lore. Do you have The Folio Society's illustrated edition of "The Silmarilion"? I consider it as the edition of utter value, along with the edition illustrated by Ted Nasmith. Apropos, I myself do try to spread professor's bequest in my country (Serbia) through various tribunes or articles, and, if you do not mind, I often visit your channel in order to "consultate" with you throughout your videos, as with someone of great knowledge and reverence. Cheers!

[@Trotter_Tolkien]

Are you going to do a hard to find episode of The Silmarillion as well?

[@TalkingTolkien]

Like the 1998 deluxe illustrated edition? I'd love to, but i might need to get my hands of a few of those holy grails first! I think you're better placed than me to make a video about those ones, Trotter!

[@jacobburr3570]

That extra large map was awesome!

[@insurrbution]

Deluxe edition here: www.amazon.co.uk/Silmarillion-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0007264895/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=9780007264896&qid=1551728569&s=books&sr=1-1

[@thehunter7422]

Interesting Vid. I ended up getting the Bigger Ted Nasmith version cause that was the first one I saw at the Chapters book store . Thank God I found that one first. Pictures are beautifully done here. Hopefully The New Amazon TV show for lord of the rings is gonna base some pictures off from here. Since its based on the Second Age . We'll see parts like with Elendil amd Isildur and Sauron and the downfall of Numenor and other stuff most likely from this book. Hopefully this show is gonna be well done . Like the lord of the rings . Not gonna get my hopes up and keep thinking it's gonna be as epic as Lord of the Rings . But you never know . Hopefully it's gonna be awesome and true to the books . And hopefully the actors do a great job .

[@dgalloway]

Hello, thanks for the video. I think I will buy the Nasmith illustration and then look for the first edition at used bookstores over the years. Question: What is the font you use for the "Thanks for Watching!" message at the end of the video? I'm trying to develop a Tolkien style of handwriting, and this font has different versions of a few letters than what I currently use. Thanks!

[@MrSeedi76]

Thanks, that was interesting. I am currently looking for a nice edition to complete my Tolkien collection. But one question -- which one of these has a proper binding? Where the pages are not just glued? I hate glued pages in a hardcover edition because it is basically just a paperback with a thicker cover. Nowadays I only buy properly bound books with actual thread stitching. Which one has that?

[@solomonyeoh2250]

This is amazing

[@valentinsarmagal]

thank you, great review!

[@Jacob011]

I'd prefer the red color in the maps to be more muted. I've seen this in multiple editions.

[@ninetyZeven]

Would like to have seen the actual hard backs of these, without the jacket covers. Well...

[@hugo-pg5tv]

I got the silmarillion but the cover is black with a golden mountain and golden ship. Is it a bad one?

[@matt5958]

The one with Ted Nasmith's illustrations have the letter about Tolkien's universe? I mean this one about his universe creation.

[@cyberlivion8363]

Just found a new version from 2021! But it has the same book cover as that orange one you should us. Should I buy this new one because it’s the newest (says it has the 50 artworks) or should I go with the one from 2004?

[@sebastianjost]

I wonder, how does the 2004 illustrated edition look without the dust cover?

[@Racerdew]

Great video, cheers

[@hussienalqasser7084]

Hello, are these books all the same or different?

[@allofuspilgrims]

A question, please: I can clearly see SIX vertical folds (leaves) of the map in your 1st Edition copy. All other 1st Edition copies I see on the Internet (those which show the maps) have FIVE folds, and those are 1st Edition/1 Impression copies. Is the copy you are showing (with six vertical folds) 1st Edition/1 Impression?

[@allofuspilgrims]

Ah, just found the 5th impression on sale with 6 vertical folds (leaves). Looks like this is just a way they folded the maps, i.e. not about a bigger scale print :-)

[@TalkingTolkien]

Yes I can't remember exactly but I'm sure mine wasn't a 1st/1st - I think it was a 1st/2nd but I don't have that book to hand at the moment.

[@allofuspilgrims]

@@TalkingTolkien No problem at all! And thank you for your helpful video - now I know what I am going to get ;-)

[@shuboy05]

You're missing the Folio Society edition.

[@user-fb8yb8so8n]

And the Easton Press version

[@turtleanton6539]

Goodvideo👍

[@cesar_rojasbravo]

I’ve been looking on eBay for a 1st ed. Silmarillion but they’re not even close to 10 pounds. I’d say most of them are at least $100 :’(

[@hussienalqasser7084]

Please, I do not understand English, can you tell me briefly what is the difference between them?

[@TalkingTolkien]

In what language would you understand?

[@hussienalqasser7084]

@@TalkingTolkien arabic

[@TalkingTolkien]

وسأحاول قصارى جهدي

[@ceeece]

Out of those, which one is your favorite. I am torn!!

[@TalkingTolkien]

Got to be the one with pictures!

[@salmanhyder1655]

I have all of them.

[@shibe1367]

Salman Hyder Good for you.

[@pabloaraujo7376]

Awesome

[@TalkingTolkien]

Thanks!

[@mirahisa5659]

Hi! Is the illustrated edition all the tales featured in The Silmarillion or just an abridged version? I expected it to be a lot thicker to be honest.

[@TalkingTolkien]

No it's not abridged at all - it's the full, compete list of tales.

[@brajenfoto]

All are the same just illustration changes?

[@TalkingTolkien]

There's a letter Tolkien wrote to his publishers explaining what The Silmarillion is about, which is in the later editions (ie not the first edition Allen Unwin) one. That's it, apart from correcting a few typos in the first edition.

[@nerdragez377]

Silmarillion are non hobbit books