Tales

J.R.R. Tolkien fans can soon add two display-worthy book box sets to their collection. Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set, which features lesser-known original works and translations of classic English literature, releases on June 10. It will be followed up on August 19 by new editions of The Great Tales of Middle-earth, which is comprised of the final three prose novels set in Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world. The new hardcover box sets feature lavish cover art and display cases. They are considered the fifth and sixth entries in a series of hardcover book box sets that debuted last year with the The History of Middle-earth, which was published by William Morrow in its entirety across four beautiful collections.

$125 | Releases June 10

The Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set is a unique collection of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, because it doesn’t contain stories about Middle-earth. Instead, as the title suggests, it compiles classic myths and legends, two of which were written by the author, while the other two were personal translations of some of his favorite works that inspired him.

Like the vast majority of his posthumously published work, these were pieced together and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Each hardcover book comes with a double-sided dust jacket. Just like The History of Middle-earth Box Sets, one side features elaborate artwork, while the other side has a more subdued aesthetic with solid colors. The four books come packaged in an eye-catching display case.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight / Orfeo / Pearl: Translations of a trio of classic epic poems juxtaposed with Tolkien’s famous 1953 lecture on Sir Gawain.

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún: An epic verse poem by Tolkien. It was inspired by classic poetry and Norse mythology. Along with Tolkien’s composition, you’ll find notes and commentary from Christopher Tolkien.

The Fall of Arthur: A narrative poem written by Tolkien that chronicles King Arthur’s final days. The book includes extensive notes made by Tolkien while drafting his only Arthurian legend. Fans of The Silmarillion will want to read this one, as it clearly inspired the plot of Tolkien’s Arthurian-esque Middle-earth book.

Beowulf: One of the most famous–and the oldest known—epic poem of Old English literature, Beowulf has received many translations. Tolkien wrote his translation in 1926 and then circled back later. In addition to the translation of the original poem, this book contains a plethora of commentary by Tolkien himself, which will give readers a glimpse into the mind of Tolkien the scholar.

If you’re interested in the Myths and Legends Box Set, you should also check out The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, a massive three-volume hardcover box that released last fall. The gorgeous box set, which is on sale for nearly 50% off, compiles Tolkien’s life’s work as a poet and clocks in at over 1,700 pages.

$125 | Releases August 19

The Great Tales of Middle-earth is a must-read collection for all dedicated fans of The Lord of the Rings. Though understandably not nearly as well-known as The Hobbit, LOTR, or even The Silmarillion, the trio of novels in this set are the final pieces of prose fiction that take place across the author’s iconic brilliant fantasy world. All of the stories take place during Middle-earth’s First Age, so while written and published later than Tolkien’s other books, these are the oldest full-length stories in Middle-earth.

The new 2025 hardcover editions come with reversible dust jackets and feature special color plates, pencil drawings, and illustrated maps by Christopher Tolkien and beloved LOTR illustrator Alan Lee.

Here are the three books you’ll find in the beautiful display case, which features a fire-breathing dragon.

The Children of Húrin (2007): Written after The Silmarillion as a standalone prequel story, The Children of Húrin takes place 6,000 years before the events of LOTR. The story follows the cursed son of Húrin, named Túrin, during an era of intense and constant war and widespread devastation caused by the Dark Lord Morgoth. If you’ve read The Silmarillion, you will recognize some of the names found in this novel.

Beren and Lúthien (2017): Another very early tale set in Middle-earth, Beren and Lúthien was reworked and revised over time and eventually became part of The Silmarillion. This compilation of Lúthien and Beren’s story was originally published in 2017. It shows the evolution of the love story between the mortal man Beren and immortal elf Lúthien.

The Fall of Gondolin (2018): Founded by King Turgon, the eponymous city of elves was concealed for many years before Lord Morgoth’s quest to destroy elven life across Middle-earth. The Fall of Gondolin’s main protagonist is Túrin’s cousin, Tuor, and his family. Tuor is married to Turgon’s daughter, Idril. The story follows their attempt to save their child after the Gondolin (unsurprisingly) falls.

It’s worth noting that The Great Tales of Middle-earth is already available as a hardcover box set. While it won’t match Myths and Legends or the four History of Middle-earth Box Sets, the 2018 hardcover collection is on sale for only $50 (was $100) at Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase each book individually in hardcover or paperback.

The Great Tales of Middle-earth Editions:

J.R.R. Tolkien – The History of Middle-earth Box Sets (2024)

The History of Middle-earth was originally published over a 14-year stretch from 1983 to 1996. While creating his fantasy world, Tolkien took extensive notes, building a backstory for Middle-earth across three different ages and 6,500-plus years. You could argue that the author’s dedication to crafting the setting that would become home to a pair of landmark fantasy novels turned Middle-earth into the most believable character Tolkien created. His mythopoeic writings formed what is commonly referred to as Tolkien’s legendarium.

At the time of Tolkien’s death in 1973, the exhaustive backstory of Middle-earth remained unpublished. Over the next few years, his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, undertook the daunting project of editing, expanding, and curating the legendarium into publishable works. The legendarium would become a 12-volume series titled The History of Middle-earth.

Though The Silmarillion is now included in modern editions of the series–it’s Book 1 in the newest box sets–the collection of myths was first published in 1977. If it had been Tolkien’s decision, The Silmarillion would have been published after The Hobbit. When his publisher turned down the manuscript, Tolkien pivoted to the story that would become The Lord of the Rings.

Over the years, he continued to revise and expand The Silmarillion. Early drafts and branching stories penned while reworking the manuscript would become key components of his legendarium. As such, The History of Middle-earth, in part, showcases Tolkien’s development as a worldbuilder. This is why The Silmarillion is presented as the first book in The History of Middle-earth. To get the most out of the sprawling Middle-earth character study, it’s wise to read the interconnected myths within The Silmarillion.

For the 2024 hardcover box set releases, publisher William Morrow reorganized The History of Middle-earth into 15 separate books, including the invaluable reference Index. The series is a substantial undertaking, as it clocks in 5,328 pages across its 15 volumes. With Amazon’s current prices, you can get all four box sets for $262 (was $475), which saves you over $200.

Check out all four of the 2024 Middle-earth box sets below. An alternative to the 15-book collection is the weighty three-volume hardcover set released in 2020. Totaling 5,440 pages–over 1,800 pages per book–The Complete History of Middle-earth Box Set is an understated, brilliantly designed trio of hardcovers that’s available for $138 (was $250). For a sampling of what the series has to offer, there’s a five-book paperback box set for $28 (was $50).

$63.37 (was $125)

The History of Middle-earth Box Set 1 comes with four hardcover books with reversible dust jackets adorned with brand-new scenic landscape artwork. If you prefer a “quieter” look, the opposite side has a traditional artwork with solid color backgrounds. All four dust jackets have different primary colors, regardless of which side you want to use for display, which gives it a unique, eye-catching appearance.

The History of Middle-earth Box Set 1 released in February 2024 and is discounted by roughly 50% at Amazon. Together, the four hardcover books listed below total 1,536 pages.

• The Silmarillion
• Unfinished Tales
• Book of Lost Tales, Part I
• Book of Lost Tales, Part II

$57.18 (was $100)

• The Lays of Beleriand
• The Shaping of Middle-earth
• The Lost Road

The History of Middle-earth Box Set 2 is the only collection with three books instead of four. As a result, the set sold for $100 when it released in May 2024. Right now, you can get the 1,264-page collection for only $57.

$68 (was $125)

• Morgoth’s Ring
• The War of the Jewels
• The Peoples of Middle-earth
• The History of Middle-earth Index

Published in September 2024, The History of Middle-earth Box Set 4 concludes the series and even comes with a standalone edition of the Index, which is a handy book to reference while poring over the sprawling Middle-earth histories, lore, and stories. You can purchase the 1,264-page collection for $68 (was $125) at Amazon.

More J.R.R. Tolkien Book Box Sets

The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (2024)

William Morrow’s new hardcover box sets with reversible covers are far from the only stunning Tolkien collections that are worth checking out. The Lord of the Rings has received many different box sets over the years, including a superb high-end edition last fall. The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Illustrated Box Set remastered the fan-favorite 1992 set with illustrations by Alan Lee. With over 50 new drawings and paintings, silver foil-stamped covers, and hybrid cloth-leather bindings, these editions are truly a sight to behold. The foil-stamped clothboard display case holds all three parts of The Lord of the Rings as well as three exclusive art cards and two foldout maps by Christopher Tolkien.

The LOTR Deluxe Illustrated Box Set launched with an eye-watering $325 price, but Amazon is currently selling it for $146–a savings of 55% ($179).

The Deluxe Illustrated Box Set wasn’t the only collectible LOTR set released last year. William Morrow also published budget-friendly Collector’s Editions of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. The three parts of LOTR were later collected in one handsome Collector’s Edition Box Set. Each book in the hardcover Collector’s Edition series has stained edges, foil-stamped cover art, a ribbon bookmark, and maps as endpapers. All five Collector’s Editions are available individually for around $20 or less.

Tolkien Illustrated Editions.

Though not box sets, we’d be remiss to not mention the Tolkien Illustrated Editions when discussing collectible versions of Tolkien’s masterworks. Each of these beautiful hardcover books features drawings, sketches, and paintings composed by Tolkien himself while he built Middle-earth with words. The books have foil-stamped covers, sprayed page edges with elvish script, a ribbon bookmark, and a pair of removable maps.

Deluxe Special Editions of Tolkien Illustrated versions of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings have cloth board bindings with quarterbound ribbed leather, clouthbound slipcases, an art card, and an illustrated booklet.

More Tolkien Book Deals

The list below includes deals on an assortment of editions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and more. One standout here is The Silmarillion Special Edition, which was published in 2021 and feels like a natural pairing with The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set. This foil-stamped, clothbound edition has a slipcase with custom artwork and comes with a pair of full-color posters.

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