The U.S. Tolkien Guide | LotR Softcover Sets

Ballantine and Del Rey Paperbacks
	First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1965 Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem) The first box state was produced only once, coinciding with the release of The Return of the King in December of 1965, and it is reported to have been an afterthought. In the mad rush to get an authorized PB editon into print after Ace published an unauthorized edition, someone did eventually realize that a box might attract holiday shoppers - but there was little time to give thought to its design. The plain green slipcase isn't fancy or sturdy - but it is quite rare. The BRem cover version of The Hobbit was not included. When you set the three books side by side, the covers form one continuous landscape. Ms. Remington was not given opportunity to read the books before the art would be needed, so her "Wilderland" painting is only vaguely related to the text. This is often called the "Dolphin Edition", because the covers display the Houghton Mifflin logo on the front. Single copy RRP .95, boxed $2.85 PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042 Hobbit: U7039
	First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1966 Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem) The second state black and white mirror-image BRem art slipcase was produced exclusively in 1966, and is somewhat less rare than the first state. The earliest printings found in this box are 4th/3rd/3rd, and only single digit printings are original to them. Single copy RRP .95, boxed $2.85 PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042
	First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1967-1973 Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem) The full color "Wilderland" slipcase is much less rare than its predecessors, but still very HTF in Fine condition. About 40 printings of each title bear Barbara Remington's art on the cover. PBNs appeared on later boxes, and do not produce search results. RRP $.95 each, boxed $2.85 1967 PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042 1970: 01533, 01534, 01535 1971 Box: 0345592247 1973 Box: 0345274938
	Ballantine Special Edition Trade PB, 1970-1975 Cover illustrations by Pauline Baynes These are labeled "Special Edition" on the copyright page. Four impressions produced. This is, to my knowledge, the only set to sport the famous Pauline Baynes map of Middle-Earth, also published in poster format in 1970. It is the first U.S. trade paper set, and the only TPB produced by Ballantine. It has larger print than most TPBs; 1970-71 printings are nearly hardcover size. Later printings are lighter and slimmer. The books were not sold separately, and one ISBN is shared by all volumes in a set; no matching edition of The Hobbit was produced. These sets were issued in shrink wrap. First printings (1970) are scarce in any condition. Some second printings have the PBN on the rear box panel, firsts do not. A 3rd printing (1974) variant has a light green background to the slipcase rather than white. Later printings are only hard to find in collectible condition; the 4th (final, 1975) printings are by far the easiest to locate. RRP $7.50 1970 and 1971 ISBN: 0345020200 1974 ISBN: 034524222X 1975 ISBN: 0345247868
	Ballantine : The J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set, 1973-1974 Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, new introduction by Peter S. Beagle This was the first box set to include The Hobbit, which was never omitted by Ballantine again; all titles also sold separately, as they continue to be to this day. This edition includes a new introduction by Peter S. Beagle. The red box, adorned with Tolkien's "Heraldic Devices of the First Age", was produced only in 1973-4, so it's fairly scarce. A PBN appears on the 1973 case; left over 1973 cases used in 1974 had labels with a new number pasted over the old number. Most of those labels are long gone... not that it matters much, as neither number produces search results. RRP $1.25 - $1.50 each, $5.00 - $6.00 boxed 1973 ISBN: 0345235096, 034523510X, 0345235118; Hobbit: 0345235126 Box: 0345235231 1974 ISBN: 0345235096, 0345240332, 0345240340; Hobbit: 0345240316 Box: 0345240308
	Ballantine Reprint Edition, 1975-1980 Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, introduction by Peter S. Beagle The gold foil box was introduced in 1976. Copies of 1975 printings have been found in them. Though relatively common, this set is very popular. All book numbers below apply to printings of this edition, though there is some overlap on the dates. The art on the box and the introduction are ©1973, so this set is often listed by that date. The books still state copyright 1965. This is apparently the earliest MMPB set to be factory shrink wrapped. The price and PBN were printed on a round label which was affixed to the wrap; neither was printed on the box. About 30 total printings in the Tolkien covers with white backgrounds. Single copy RRP $1.75 - $2.50 each. 1975: 0345248279; 0345248287, 0345248295; Hobbit: 0345248260 1976: 0345253434; 0345253442, 0345253450; Hobbit: 0345253426 1977-on: 0345272587; 0345272595, 0345272609; Hobbit: 0345272579 1976 Box: 0345253485 1977 Box: 0345274393
	Ballantine Silver Jubilee Edition, 1981-1983 Cover illustrations by Darrell K. Sweet The "Silver Jubilee" set commemorating the 25th anniversary of the release of The Lord of the Rings was first boxed in the gold "Heraldry" slipcase. A newly revised edition of The Hobbit was released (Jan 82) in this cover, and the print numbers were started over with one(1); though, ironically, they did not change the ISBN until 1984. Ballantine has stopped labeling each print year with its own book number, and this box ISBN is the first searchable number found for mass market PB sets thus far. Most databases have image, edition, or date errors regarding this number. Single copy RRP $2.95, box $11.35 ISBN: 0345296052, 0345296060, 0345296087 Hobbit: 0345296044 1981 Box: 0345296079 1983 Box: 0345195299
Ballantine Silver Jubilee Edition, 1983-1985 Cover illustrations by Darrell K. Sweet The second state slipcase is golden brown / bronze with art and design that matches the book covers; a brilliant improvement, IMHO. This is harder to find in collectible condition than the first state. A newly revised edition of Fellowship was released in March of 1984, and the printing numbers for that volume started over with one (1). Later sets may include books without the "Special Silver Jubilee Edition" statement on the back covers; by 1985 the statement was removed. 1985 copies have white titles. There were fewer than 15 total printings of each LotR title in the Sweet covers. Single copy RRP $3.95 1984 Hobbit: 0345318587 Box: 0345183444 1985 ISBN: 0345332083, 0345332105, 0345332091 Hobbit: 0345332075
	Ballantine Reprint Edition, 1986 and 1987 Various color background covers, illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien An uncommon set, due to its brief production period and fewer print runs in the 80's. As far as has been determined, The Hobbit (1982 edition) was supposedly printed four times in this cover. I've still not found four, and suspect that Ballantine failed to edit the publishing page after the 17th and caught the mistake with the 20th printing. Each LotR volume was printed in this cover exactly three times. All later Ballantine printings bear the copyright date of 1986, but oddly enough, none of these do. After 1965-6 sets, this is the rarest of the Ballantine MMPB sets. Single copy RRP $3.95 box $15.80 ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426
	Ballantine Re-Issue, 1987-1998 Covers with illustrations by Michael Herring The first issue of The Hobbit 50th Anniversary set was September 1988. The LotR copies were printings 9th/83rd/79th; that's July, February, and April of 1987. However, the second Tolkien cover set (see above) contains the exact same LotR printings - and later printings. By taking a huge leap and assuming the printing information in the books is correct, we might assume these cover styles were produced simultaneously. On the other hand, the earlier box set contains earlier printings of The Hobbit, which suggests that perhaps the printing information is incorrect. Beginning in late 1990, Herring art covers were issued without the anniversary statements and in a purple box with color backgrounds; a third state saw a return to all black. All three states were offered through book clubs, with the statement "Special Book Club Edition" on the back of the book covers. From this point on, Ballantine uses one ISBN per text edition, regardless of changes made to the covers. Industry standards dictate that ISBNs must apply to text, format, and publisher; artists are apparently of no account. So, as of 1986, distinguishing one cover style from another by ISBN alone is not possible. In addition, though printing numbers are still indicated by a number line, month and year is not stated. Single copy original RRP $4.95 - $5.99 box $19.80 - $23.90 ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 50th Anniversary Box 0345195299 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

	Ballantine/Del Rey 1999-2000 New cover art - after 11 years - and by Ted Nasmith! The art is incorrectly attributed on the copyright page, though correctly attributed on the rear cover, in early impressions. Some late printings advertize upcoming films. Single copy RRP $6.99, box $27.96 . . . Peter Jackson is doing what . . ? ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426
	Del Rey 2001, Film art covers Well, there goes the neighborhood... the film art cover sets were still boxed with The Hobbit, the cover of which was redesigned slightly and retained the art by Ted Nasmith. Colors and photos for books and slipcases changed over time. These were still in production in 2004 (it would never do to be short come academy awards time), and have gone through dozens of printings each - I neither know nor care what the exact count was, but my best estimate is about 40 apiece. Box States: Green, Purple, and Blue; apparently produced in that order, but not necessarily in equal numbers. The book cover styles found in them also varied. It would seem that whatever was next in line at the warehouse at the moment was packed in them - a particular color of box would not dictate which covers were inside. Same ISBN for each variant of these covers and boxes, of course; stock photos will usually show the last state. Finding one cover or set in particular out of this batch could be a pretty cute trick. Single copy RRP $7.99, box $29.96 ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426
	Del Rey 2006 Cover illustrations by John Howe John Howe art is featured on The Lord of the Rings and the slipcase; the Nasmith cover art version of The Hobbit is still included. Sets have been seen with a film art cover of The Return of the King, so if you want all three Howe covers, buy in person. It appears that no stock photo is available for the box set yet - perhaps there will be one when all the film photo covers are gone. (Update Jan09: I am not slacking off [this time], this is all still true.) Single copy RRP $7.99, box $31.96 ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426
	Del Rey 2012 Film Tie-in Edition These covers are currently available from Del Rey. Each book features imagery from its corresponding Peter Jackson film. The ISBN for this boxed set has changed for the first time since 1986 (?). Single copy RRP $8.99, box $35.96 ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738 Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345538374

Ballantine and Del Rey Paperbacks

First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1965

Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem)

The first box state was produced only once, coinciding with the release of The Return of the King in December of 1965, and it is reported to have been an afterthought. In the mad rush to get an authorized PB editon into print after Ace published an unauthorized edition, someone did eventually realize that a box might attract holiday shoppers - but there was little time to give thought to its design. The plain green slipcase isn't fancy or sturdy - but it is quite rare. The BRem cover version of The Hobbit was not included. When you set the three books side by side, the covers form one continuous landscape. Ms. Remington was not given opportunity to read the books before the art would be needed, so her "Wilderland" painting is only vaguely related to the text. This is often called the "Dolphin Edition", because the covers display the Houghton Mifflin logo on the front. Single copy RRP .95, boxed $2.85

PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042 Hobbit: U7039

First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1966

Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem)

The second state black and white mirror-image BRem art slipcase was produced exclusively in 1966, and is somewhat less rare than the first state. The earliest printings found in this box are 4th/3rd/3rd, and only single digit printings are original to them. Single copy RRP .95, boxed $2.85

PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042

First Authorized U.S. PB Edition, 1967-1973

Cover illustrations by Barbara Remington (BRem)

The full color "Wilderland" slipcase is much less rare than its predecessors, but still very HTF in Fine condition. About 40 printings of each title bear Barbara Remington's art on the cover. PBNs appeared on later boxes, and do not produce search results. RRP $.95 each, boxed $2.85

1967 PBN: U7040, U7041, U7042 1970: 01533, 01534, 01535
1971 Box: 0345592247 1973 Box: 0345274938

Ballantine Special Edition Trade PB, 1970-1975

Cover illustrations by Pauline Baynes

These are labeled "Special Edition" on the copyright page. Four impressions produced. This is, to my knowledge, the only set to sport the famous Pauline Baynes map of Middle-Earth, also published in poster format in 1970. It is the first U.S. trade paper set, and the only TPB produced by Ballantine. It has larger print than most TPBs; 1970-71 printings are nearly hardcover size. Later printings are lighter and slimmer. The books were not sold separately, and one ISBN is shared by all volumes in a set; no matching edition of The Hobbit was produced. These sets were issued in shrink wrap.
First printings (1970) are scarce in any condition. Some second printings have the PBN on the rear box panel, firsts do not. A 3rd printing (1974) variant has a light green background to the slipcase rather than white. Later printings are only hard to find in collectible condition; the 4th (final, 1975) printings are by far the easiest to locate. RRP $7.50

1970 and 1971 ISBN: 0345020200
1974 ISBN: 034524222X
1975 ISBN: 0345247868

Ballantine : The J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set, 1973-1974

Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, new introduction by Peter S. Beagle

This was the first box set to include The Hobbit, which was never omitted by Ballantine again; all titles also sold separately, as they continue to be to this day. This edition includes a new introduction by Peter S. Beagle. The red box, adorned with Tolkien's "Heraldic Devices of the First Age", was produced only in 1973-4, so it's fairly scarce. A PBN appears on the 1973 case; left over 1973 cases used in 1974 had labels with a new number pasted over the old number. Most of those labels are long gone... not that it matters much, as neither number produces search results. RRP $1.25 - $1.50 each, $5.00 - $6.00 boxed

1973 ISBN: 0345235096, 034523510X, 0345235118;
Hobbit: 0345235126 Box: 0345235231
1974 ISBN: 0345235096, 0345240332, 0345240340;
Hobbit: 0345240316 Box: 0345240308

Ballantine Reprint Edition, 1975-1980

Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, introduction by Peter S. Beagle

The gold foil box was introduced in 1976. Copies of 1975 printings have been found in them. Though relatively common, this set is very popular. All book numbers below apply to printings of this edition, though there is some overlap on the dates. The art on the box and the introduction are ©1973, so this set is often listed by that date. The books still state copyright 1965. This is apparently the earliest MMPB set to be factory shrink wrapped. The price and PBN were printed on a round label which was affixed to the wrap; neither was printed on the box. About 30 total printings in the Tolkien covers with white backgrounds. Single copy RRP $1.75 - $2.50 each.

1975: 0345248279; 0345248287, 0345248295;
Hobbit: 0345248260
1976: 0345253434; 0345253442, 0345253450;
Hobbit: 0345253426
1977-on: 0345272587; 0345272595, 0345272609;
Hobbit: 0345272579

1976 Box: 0345253485 1977 Box: 0345274393

Ballantine Silver Jubilee Edition, 1981-1983

Cover illustrations by Darrell K. Sweet

The "Silver Jubilee" set commemorating the 25th anniversary of the release of The Lord of the Rings was first boxed in the gold "Heraldry" slipcase. A newly revised edition of The Hobbit was released (Jan 82) in this cover, and the print numbers were started over with one(1); though, ironically, they did not change the ISBN until 1984. Ballantine has stopped labeling each print year with its own book number, and this box ISBN is the first searchable number found for mass market PB sets thus far. Most databases have image, edition, or date errors regarding this number. Single copy RRP $2.95, box $11.35

ISBN: 0345296052, 0345296060, 0345296087 Hobbit: 0345296044
1981 Box: 0345296079 1983 Box: 0345195299

Ballantine Silver Jubilee Edition, 1983-1985

Cover illustrations by Darrell K. Sweet

The second state slipcase is golden brown / bronze with art and design that matches the book covers; a brilliant improvement, IMHO. This is harder to find in collectible condition than the first state. A newly revised edition of Fellowship was released in March of 1984, and the printing numbers for that volume started over with one (1). Later sets may include books without the "Special Silver Jubilee Edition" statement on the back covers; by 1985 the statement was removed. 1985 copies have white titles. There were fewer than 15 total printings of each LotR title in the Sweet covers. Single copy RRP $3.95

1984 Hobbit: 0345318587 Box: 0345183444
1985 ISBN: 0345332083, 0345332105, 0345332091
Hobbit: 0345332075

Ballantine Reprint Edition, 1986 and 1987

Various color background covers, illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien

An uncommon set, due to its brief production period and fewer print runs in the 80's. As far as has been determined, The Hobbit (1982 edition) was supposedly printed four times in this cover. I've still not found four, and suspect that Ballantine failed to edit the publishing page after the 17th and caught the mistake with the 20th printing. Each LotR volume was printed in this cover exactly three times. All later Ballantine printings bear the copyright date of 1986, but oddly enough, none of these do. After 1965-6 sets, this is the rarest of the Ballantine MMPB sets.
Single copy RRP $3.95 box $15.80

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

Ballantine Re-Issue, 1987-1998

Covers with illustrations by Michael Herring

The first issue of The Hobbit 50th Anniversary set was September 1988. The LotR copies were printings 9th/83rd/79th; that's July, February, and April of 1987. However, the second Tolkien cover set (see above) contains the exact same LotR printings - and later printings. By taking a huge leap and assuming the printing information in the books is correct, we might assume these cover styles were produced simultaneously. On the other hand, the earlier box set contains earlier printings of The Hobbit, which suggests that perhaps the printing information is incorrect.

Beginning in late 1990, Herring art covers were issued without the anniversary statements and in a purple box with color backgrounds; a third state saw a return to all black. All three states were offered through book clubs, with the statement "Special Book Club Edition" on the back of the book covers.

From this point on, Ballantine uses one ISBN per text edition, regardless of changes made to the covers. Industry standards dictate that ISBNs must apply to text, format, and publisher; artists are apparently of no account. So, as of 1986, distinguishing one cover style from another by ISBN alone is not possible. In addition, though printing numbers are still indicated by a number line, month and year is not stated. Single copy original RRP $4.95 - $5.99 box $19.80 - $23.90

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
50th Anniversary Box 0345195299
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

Ballantine/Del Rey 1999-2000

New cover art - after 11 years - and by Ted Nasmith!
The art is incorrectly attributed on the copyright page, though correctly attributed on the rear cover, in early impressions. Some late printings advertize upcoming films. Single copy RRP $6.99, box $27.96

. . . Peter Jackson is doing what . . ?

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

Del Rey 2001, Film art covers

Well, there goes the neighborhood... the film art cover sets were still boxed with The Hobbit, the cover of which was redesigned slightly and retained the art by Ted Nasmith. Colors and photos for books and slipcases changed over time. These were still in production in 2004 (it would never do to be short come academy awards time), and have gone through dozens of printings each - I neither know nor care what the exact count was, but my best estimate is about 40 apiece.

Box States: Green, Purple, and Blue; apparently produced in that order, but not necessarily in equal numbers. The book cover styles found in them also varied. It would seem that whatever was next in line at the warehouse at the moment was packed in them - a particular color of box would not dictate which covers were inside. Same ISBN for each variant of these covers and boxes, of course; stock photos will usually show the last state. Finding one cover or set in particular out of this batch could be a pretty cute trick. Single copy RRP $7.99, box $29.96

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

Del Rey 2006

Cover illustrations by John Howe

John Howe art is featured on The Lord of the Rings and the slipcase; the Nasmith cover art version of The Hobbit is still included. Sets have been seen with a film art cover of The Return of the King, so if you want all three Howe covers, buy in person. It appears that no stock photo is available for the box set yet - perhaps there will be one when all the film photo covers are gone. (Update Jan09: I am not slacking off [this time], this is all still true.) Single copy RRP $7.99, box $31.96

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345340426

Del Rey 2012

Film Tie-in Edition

These covers are currently available from Del Rey. Each book features imagery from its corresponding Peter Jackson film. The ISBN for this boxed set has changed for the first time since 1986 (?). Single copy RRP $8.99, box $35.96

ISBN: 0345339703, 0345339711, 0345339738
Hobbit: 0345339681 Box: 0345538374

All Other Paperbacks
	Ace unauthorized 1965 Ace released cheap, badly typeset copies before Tolkien's copyright was clearly established in the U.S. In the face of public indignation, they agreed not to print more and to pay royalties. This is the reason for the personal "Authorized Edition" statement from Tolkien printed on the back cover of the first Ballantine set. This is the only PB set ever printed with first edition text. Interesting, yes; cool ...not so much. No box issued. Pirate art by Jack Gaughan. RRP .75 each. SBN: -
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1978 - 1987 Cover doodles by J.R.R. Tolkien Box States : Green and including The Hobbit, and Red featuring only LOTR. Eye of Sauron device on LOTR covers, The Lonely Mountain on The Hobbit. Author's name in his own hand/large print on books and box, like the hardcover edition of this year which is often called "the signature set". Red sets will often have one or more first thus printings. A green set with all four books and box in collectible condition is quite hard to find. Despite its being the only TPB in print for a decade, there aren't many on the market - I've only found single digit printings. Red box RRP $13.95 ISBN: 0395272238, 039527222X, 0395272211 Red Box: 0395272203 Green Box: 0395282632 Hobbit: 0395282659
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1988 - 1998 Cover illustrations by Alan Lee Sold individually with laminated dust jackets -or- in a slipcase with The Hobbit but without jackets. The jackets have the same art as the 1988 hardcover version. The art wraps around the slipcases, which are accented with brown or green. The books themselves have nice frames perfect for art on the front, but no art whatsoever in them. The 1992 slipcase has a Tolkien Centenary Logo on it. You may find the individual books (sometimes in jackets) at your neighborhood bookstore for $7, but this edition is otherwise hard to track down: this ISBN returns results, but none or few turn out to be the set that belongs to it (?). Very strange edition. Single copy RRP $7.95 - $11.95, box $29.95 - $45.95 ISBN: 0395272238, 039527222X, 0395272211 Hobbit: 0395282659 Box: 0395489075
	Quality Paperback Book Club 1995 QPB does really put together a solid binding (best in the industry, if you ask me), and this is the only softcover edition to include tipped-in maps. However, perhaps due to the brilliant cover art, these were apparently available only for a short time. Because they have no ISBN, print date or clear indication of text edition inside, these are more easily found in used bookstores than online. Out of print, Amen. RRP unknown.
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1999 Cover illustrations by Alan Lee Boxed with The Hobbit, and still available new. The paper quality, at least in earlier printings, leaves something to be desired. Single copy RRP $12.00, box $45.00 ISBN: 0618002227, 0618002235, 0618002243 Hobbit: 0618002219 Box: 0618002251
	Quality Paperback Book Club 2001 J.R.R. Tolkien's original cover reproductions The QPB Companion to the Lord of the Rings is shown with this set because it was offered at the same time and has a U.S. exclusive Tolkien cover design (also see A Tolkien Miscellany). The original cover art Tolkien created for The Lord of the Rings was not used until 1991 in the UK, and this is the first U.S. edition to sport them. No slipcase, no matching edition of The Hobbit. Single copy RRP $8.99 + $1.99 shipping ($3.75 handling fee per shipment also applied, membership required). When the math's done, these were more expensive than trade editions, but by far the better value. Unavailable through QPB as of 2007. ISBN: 0965307751, 0965307816, 0965307794 Companion: 0965307883
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2001 Film art covers with Frodo, Saruman, Aragorn on the covers. Title and author stamped in silver foil, black riders on the slipcase. Out of print. Single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00 ISBN: 0618129030, 0618129081, 0618129111 Box: 0618153969
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2002 Film art covers with Gandalf, Frodo and Sam in Emyn Muil, Minas Tirith on the covers. Title and author in gold foil, Rivendel bridge and landscape on the slipcase. For a film edition, this is a very pretty set... Out of print, single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00 ISBN: 0618260269, 0618260277, 0618260285 Box: 0618260293
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2003 Film art covers with Frodo, Legolas, Aragorn on the covers, eagle against Mount Doom on the slipcase. The Orlando Bloom fans must have snapped up the first printings of TTT before the box set was packed, because early boxes contain printings 1,2,1 - which is highly irregular. Out of print, single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00 ISBN: 0618346252, 0618346260, 0618346279 Box: 0618346244
	Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2005 Cover Illustrations by John Jude Palencar Sold individually or as a boxed set. No matching edition of The Hobbit, still available new. Single copy RRP $10.95, box $30.00 ISBN: 0618574948, 0618574956, 0618574972 Box: 0618574999
	Mariner Books Trade PB 2012 Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien Sold individually or boxed with The Hobbit. The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The Hobbit were released in similar black covers with stylized versions of Tolkien's original cover art on them (see the QPB 2001 entry above). The paper quality is the worst yet - personally, I would buy anything else. Single copy RRP $13.95 ISBN: 0547928211, 0547928203, 054792819X Box: 9780547928180
	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014 Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set Sold boxed with The Hobbit, and as far as I know are not sold individually. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I just haven't seen it. HMHCo calls these paperbacks, so I'm just going to run with it, because this category lacks a novelty section. The covers are a flexible imitation leather. RRP $49.95 ISBN: 0547928211, 0547928203, 054792819X Box: 9780547928180

All Other Paperbacks

Ace unauthorized 1965

Ace released cheap, badly typeset copies before Tolkien's copyright was clearly established in the U.S. In the face of public indignation, they agreed not to print more and to pay royalties. This is the reason for the personal "Authorized Edition" statement from Tolkien printed on the back cover of the first Ballantine set. This is the only PB set ever printed with first edition text. Interesting, yes; cool ...not so much. No box issued. Pirate art by Jack Gaughan. RRP .75 each.

SBN: -

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1978 - 1987

Cover doodles by J.R.R. Tolkien

Box States : Green and including The Hobbit, and Red featuring only LOTR. Eye of Sauron device on LOTR covers, The Lonely Mountain on The Hobbit. Author's name in his own hand/large print on books and box, like the hardcover edition of this year which is often called "the signature set". Red sets will often have one or more first thus printings. A green set with all four books and box in collectible condition is quite hard to find. Despite its being the only TPB in print for a decade, there aren't many on the market - I've only found single digit printings. Red box RRP $13.95

ISBN: 0395272238, 039527222X, 0395272211
Red Box: 0395272203 Green Box: 0395282632
Hobbit: 0395282659

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1988 - 1998

Cover illustrations by Alan Lee

Sold individually with laminated dust jackets -or- in a slipcase with The Hobbit but without jackets. The jackets have the same art as the 1988 hardcover version. The art wraps around the slipcases, which are accented with brown or green. The books themselves have nice frames perfect for art on the front, but no art whatsoever in them. The 1992 slipcase has a Tolkien Centenary Logo on it. You may find the individual books (sometimes in jackets) at your neighborhood bookstore for $7, but this edition is otherwise hard to track down: this ISBN returns results, but none or few turn out to be the set that belongs to it (?). Very strange edition. Single copy RRP $7.95 - $11.95, box $29.95 - $45.95

ISBN: 0395272238, 039527222X, 0395272211
Hobbit: 0395282659 Box: 0395489075

Quality Paperback Book Club 1995

QPB does really put together a solid binding (best in the industry, if you ask me), and this is the only softcover edition to include tipped-in maps. However, perhaps due to the *brilliant* cover art, these were apparently available only for a short time. Because they have no ISBN, print date or clear indication of text edition inside, these are more easily found in used bookstores than online. Out of print, Amen. RRP unknown.

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 1999

Cover illustrations by Alan Lee

Boxed with The Hobbit, and still available new. The paper quality, at least in earlier printings, leaves something to be desired. Single copy RRP $12.00, box $45.00

ISBN: 0618002227, 0618002235, 0618002243
Hobbit: 0618002219 Box: 0618002251

Quality Paperback Book Club 2001

J.R.R. Tolkien's original cover reproductions

The QPB Companion to the Lord of the Rings is shown with this set because it was offered at the same time and has a U.S. exclusive Tolkien cover design (also see A Tolkien Miscellany). The original cover art Tolkien created for The Lord of the Rings was not used until 1991 in the UK, and this is the first U.S. edition to sport them. No slipcase, no matching edition of The Hobbit. Single copy RRP $8.99 + $1.99 shipping ($3.75 handling fee per shipment also applied, membership required). When the math's done, these were more expensive than trade editions, but by far the better value.
Unavailable through QPB as of 2007.

ISBN: 0965307751, 0965307816, 0965307794
Companion: 0965307883

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2001

Film art covers with Frodo, Saruman, Aragorn on the covers. Title and author stamped in silver foil, black riders on the slipcase. Out of print. Single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00

ISBN: 0618129030, 0618129081, 0618129111 Box: 0618153969

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2002

Film art covers with Gandalf, Frodo and Sam in Emyn Muil, Minas Tirith on the covers. Title and author in gold foil, Rivendel bridge and landscape on the slipcase. For a film edition, this is a very pretty set... Out of print, single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00

ISBN: 0618260269, 0618260277, 0618260285 Box: 0618260293

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2003

Film art covers with Frodo, Legolas, Aragorn on the covers, eagle against Mount Doom on the slipcase. The Orlando Bloom fans must have snapped up the first printings of TTT before the box set was packed, because early boxes contain printings 1,2,1 - which is highly irregular. Out of print, single copy RRP $12.00, box $35.00

ISBN: 0618346252, 0618346260, 0618346279 Box: 0618346244

Houghton Mifflin Trade PB 2005

Cover Illustrations by John Jude Palencar

Sold individually or as a boxed set. No matching edition of The Hobbit, still available new. Single copy RRP $10.95, box $30.00

ISBN: 0618574948, 0618574956, 0618574972
Box: 0618574999

Mariner Books Trade PB 2012

Cover illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien

Sold individually or boxed with The Hobbit. The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The Hobbit were released in similar black covers with stylized versions of Tolkien's original cover art on them (see the QPB 2001 entry above). The paper quality is the worst yet - personally, I would buy anything else. Single copy RRP $13.95

ISBN: 0547928211, 0547928203, 054792819X
Box: 9780547928180

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set

Sold boxed with The Hobbit, and as far as I know are not sold individually. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I just haven't seen it. HMHCo calls these paperbacks, so I'm just going to run with it, because this category lacks a novelty section. The covers are a flexible imitation leather. RRP $49.95

ISBN: 0547928211, 0547928203, 054792819X
Box: 9780547928180