Website questions

1. Who runs this site?

This site has been set-up by HarperCollins Publishers in the United Kingdom to sell books direct to the public. It is being run by HarperCollins Publishers United Kingdom as a standalone venture.

2. Why are we running this site?

We want to create an effective way to sell signed and limited editions of Tolkien’s books to his readers. We believe an ecommerce website is the best way to do this.

3. What other deluxe editions will you offer?

We are currently examining which editions we want to offer. We will let you know as soon as we have. These products take careful planning to make sure we can offer quality, value and creativity to do justice to Tolkien’s works.

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún signed limited edition FAQs

1. Is the book actually signed by Christopher Tolkien?

Yes, all 500 copies have been personally signed by Christopher.

2. Will there be any more copies after the initial 500?

No, this edition is strictly limited to 500 hand-numbered copies.

3. How does this edition differ from the collector’s slipcased edition?

This limited edition includes all the features of the collector’s edition, including pages from the first edition printing; but it additionally features a limitation sheet signed by Christopher Tolkien, and has been hand-bound in full leather which is stamped with gold foil, the pages are edged in gold, with marbled endpapers and raised ribs on the spine. Further, this signed edition is housed in a sumptuous suede-lined leather traycase which is also stamped in gold foil and protected in its own shipping carton.

4. Are there any other books available that are signed by Christopher Tolkien?

The only other book available is the signed, limited edition of The Children of Húrin, which features the signatures of both Christopher Tolkien and Alan Lee.

5. Can I buy matching editions of any other Tolkien books?

This limited edition has been produced to the same specification as the edition of The Children of Húrin mentioned above. A matching series of collector’s slipcased editions is also available: these are unsigned editions available from £60 and include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Children of Húrin and Tales from the Perilous Realm.

6. Will this book increase in value in the future?

It is impossible for anyone to know what will happen to the value of the book in the future, but we are confident that you will continue to enjoy owning such a special edition for many years to come.

7. How much should I insure the book for?

We are unable to offer any specialist advice regarding the insurance value of the book, so would recommend that you contact your insurance company.

8. Why doesn’t it include a signature by J.R.R. Tolkien?

Unfortunately Professor Tolkien died in 1973, and we only wanted to include actual genuine signatures in this limited edition rather than scans or copies.

9. Can I buy original versions or prints of the illustrations by Bill Sanderson that appear in the book?

The original illustrations are not for sale, and we have no plans to produce reproductions of them as they were commissioned solely to accompany the text of this book.

10. Can I get my copy personally inscribed?

Unfortunately, it is not possible for copies to be personally dedicated.

Tales from the Perilous Realm signed limited edition FAQs

1. Is the book actually signed by Alan Lee?

Yes, it has been signed in person Alan, who signed all 500 copies at the printers.

2. Will there be any more copies after the initial 500?

No, this edition is strictly limited to 500 copies. These books are not numbered.

3. How does this edition differ from the collector’s slipcased edition that will be published in December 2008?

What differentiates this version is Alan’s signature.

4. Are there any other books available that are signed by Alan Lee?

The only other book available is the signed, limited edition of The Children of Hurin which features both Alan’s signature and Christopher Tolkien.

5. Can I buy matching editions of any other Tolkien books?

This book has been produced in the same edition and style as the slipcased editions of other Tolkien works currently available at £60.

6. Will this book increase in value in the future?

It is impossible for anyone to know what will happen to the value of the book in the future, but we are confident that you will continue to enjoy owning such a special edition for many years to come.

7. How much should I insure the book for?

We are unable to offer any specialist advice regarding the insurance value of the book, so would recommend that you contact your insurance company.

8. Why doesn’t it include a signature by J.R.R. Tolkien?

Unfortunately Professor Tolkien died in 1973, and we only wanted to include actual genuine signatures in this limited edition rather than scans or copies.

9. Can I buy original versions or prints of the paintings and sketches by Alan Lee that appear in the book?

The original works are not for sale, but larger versions of the watercolour paintings can be found in the 2008 Tolkien calendar, which is based on The Children of Húrin and is available to order from HarperCollins or through most bookshops.

10. Can I get my copy personally inscribed?

Unfortunately, it is not possible for any of the copies to be personally dedicated. However, book signings are organised from time to time so customers should continue to check the http://www.tolkien.co.uk/ website regularly for information on these so that they can take their copy along for Alan to dedicate.

The Children of Húrin signed limited edition FAQs

1. Is the book actually signed by Christopher Tolkien & Alan Lee?

Yes, it has been signed in person by both Christopher and Alan, who signed all 500 copies in their respective homes. Alan Lee has also numbered each copy.

2. Will there be any more copies after the initial 500?

No, this edition is strictly limited to 500 copies.

3. How does this edition differ from the collector’s slipcased edition that was published at the same time as the hardback in April 2007?

This new edition includes all the features of the collector’s edition, including pages from the first edition printing; but it additionally features the limitation sheet signed by Christopher Tolkien and Alan Lee, and has been hand-bound in full goat-skin which is stamped with two foils, the pages are edged in gold, with marbled endpapers and raised spine ribs. Further, this signed edition is housed in a de luxe leather traycase that is lined in real suede and protected in its own shipping carton. The whole package is strictly limited to just 500 copies worldwide.

4. Are there any other books available that are signed by Christopher Tolkien and/or Alan Lee?

This is the only book that is currently available for sale that features Christopher’s (and/or Alan’s) signature.

5. Can I buy matching editions of any other Tolkien books?

This is currently the only book by J.R.R. Tolkien available in this special binding and with these special features.

7. What makes this book so highly valued?

This special signed and limited edition is slightly dearer than the limited edition of the illustrated Lord of the Rings that was sold fifteen years ago in 1992, and that only featured the signature of Alan Lee whereas this also has the extremely rare signature of Christopher Tolkien.

It is also cheaper than the price demanded by some of the people who were selling the £60 collector’s edition, which only had the signatures on a pasted-in bookplate, earlier this year on eBay.

8. Will this book increase in value in the future?

It is impossible for anyone to know what will happen to the value of the book in the future, but we are confident that you will continue to enjoy owning such a special edition for many years to come.

9. How much should I insure the book for?

We are unable to offer any specialist advice regarding the insurance value of the book, so would recommend that you contact your insurance company.

10. Why doesn’t it include a signature by J.R.R. Tolkien?

Unfortunately Professor Tolkien died in 1973, and we only wanted to include actual genuine signatures in this limited edition rather than scans or copies.

11. Can I buy original versions or prints of the paintings and sketches by Alan Lee that appear in the book?

The original works are not for sale, but larger versions of the watercolour paintings can be found in the 2008 Tolkien calendar, which is based on The Children of Húrin and is available to order from HarperCollins or through most bookshops.

12. Can I get my copy personally inscribed?

Unfortunately, it is not possible for any of the copies to be personally dedicated. However, book signings are organised from time to time so customers should continue to check the http://www.tolkien.co.uk/ website regularly for information on these so that they can take their copy along for Alan to dedicate.