In honour of Tolkien Reading Day 2020, I wanted to share my collection that’s grown around the first Tolkien book I ever read and purchased: The Hobbit. I have reread it just about every year since I was 12. There is a sort of timeless joy in returning to this book. I have included the ISBNs so you can look up these particular editions on your favourite book-related sites.
Hardcover Pocket
ISBN 9780007440849. Published in 2012 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit‘s publication. Also known as, in my mind, the travel edition. I took this copy with me when I spent a summer WWOOFing in Ireland, capped off with a visit to Oxford.
Modern Classic
ISBN 0006754023. This paperback holds an esteemed place in my collection as the first copy of The Hobbit that I purchased. I think I was in grade six. I remember completing a school project that involved me plotting out Bilbo’s journey on a calendar. I illustrated the months with scenes from his adventure. I wonder if I still have that calendar in storage somewhere…
Although this edition is certainly not the most definitive (careless typos bothered me even at 12 years old), I still read it most often because it is so familiar.
First Edition Facsimile
ISBN 9780007440832. This edition reproduces The Hobbit, in text and design, as it was first published. This is particularly noteworthy because Tolkien later revised the text of The Hobbit to bring it more in line with The Lord of the Rings. I love this book’s design, particularly the dust jacket.
Unfortunately, mine has the end paper maps flipped around. I brought this up in the Tolkien Society Facebook group (a great place for Tolkien discussion, if you are a Facebook user.) Although the copyright page suggests my copy is a first edition and first printing, the mixed up maps suggest it is a second printing.
Mirkwood Hardcover
ISBN 97800007487301. If I recall correctly, I received this edition one Christmas as a gift from my sister. I like that the cover depicts a scene not usually fore-fronted.
Catlin Illustrated
ISBN 9780007497904. Another edition to commemorate the 75th anniversary. This one features illustrations by Jemima Catlin. I admit that this is the edition I am least fond of. I was excited about it at the time of release, but I’m not particularly keen on Catlin’s style. However I do appreciate that it is a sturdy hardcover with gold foil on the spine…
Anderson Annotated
ISBN 9780395476901. A large hardcover edition annotated by Tolkien scholar Douglas A. Anderson. A must read for those who would like to delve further into the story and Tolkien’s crafting of it.
Related Titles
Lastly, I want to note two titles I consider essential supplementary reading for fans of The Hobbit: The History of the Hobbit by John D. Rateliff and The Art of the Hobbit edited by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull. Rateliff’s book functions as ‘The History of Middle-Earth’ for The Hobbit. Hammond and Scull explore the artwork Tolkien created for The Hobbit. I think I am due for a reread of both…
Now it’s time for me to do some reading! Be sure to visit Pages Unbound, whose Tolkien Reading Event runs from March 24 to April 2. As well, a day long livestream of Tolkien readings is being hosted here. Finally: If you’re curious about the map that backdrops my photos, it’s a map of the Shire annotated with Bilbo’s favourite walks (created by Daniel Reeve at WETA.) This was my chosen souvenir when I visited WETA in Wellington, NZ. 😀
Are you celebrating Tolkien Reading Day? Is there a book that you have multiple editions of?
You reminded me that I still want a Hobbit facsimile edition!!
I was very excited when it was finally released. Definitely worth the purchase.
I love the idea, too, of using the pocket Hobbit as a travel book! I remember seeing the pocket Hobbit and thinking it was soo cute!
Thanks – it is pretty adorable, haha. A good option, if the small font doesn’t bother you much!
Only just seen this, but I think you do have a 1st printing of the facsimile Hobbit, some of the first printings had the maps in the wrong order, they were loaded up incorrectly at the printers, but these got mixed up with the ‘correct’ versions in bookshops. I saw both versions in the same book shop at one point.
Thank you for commenting on this and clarifying! It was a bit of a puzzler back when I asked about it on Facebook.