The Lord of the Rings
Tolkien Gateway • publication history
- Descriptive Bibliography
- A5
- Abbreviated
- LR Hammond & Anderson
Open Questions
QUESTION: Are the 2004 hardback and the 2007 paperback still the standard one-volume book? Both are tagged mainline and, an edition holding the line until the next one takes it, both still hold it. Nothing since is tagged: the 2012 seven-volume set is a boxed seven, the 2021 Illustrated Edition is Tolkien’s own art, and the 2022 TV tie-in is a tie-in. If one of those took the line it should carry the tag instead; and if the standard one-volume book has simply given way to the three volumes, which are held as works of their own, that is worth knowing too, being a fact about the book rather than an omission here.
1969 De Luxe India Paper Edition
multiple
Cover illustration by J.R.R. Tolkien
George Allen & Unwin
First: 1
Last: 3
George Allen & Unwin
First year: 1974
First: 4
Last: 10
Cover illustration based on a design by J.R.R. Tolkien
Unwin Hyman
First year: 1990
First: 11
Last: 11
1988 One-Volume Hardback Edition
Unwin Hyman
updated
Cover illustration by Roger Garland
First: 1
Last: 3
1968 First One-Volume Edition
George Allen & Unwin
Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes
First: 1
Last: 10
Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes
First year: 1972
First: 11
Last: 11
Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes
First year: 1973
First: 12
Last: 18
1978 Second One-Volume Edition
multiple
Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes
George Allen & Unwin / Unwin Paperbacks
First: 1
Last: 1
Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes
Unwin Paperbacks
First: 2
Last: 4
1978 Film Tie-In Edition
Unwin Paperbacks
Cover illustration from the Bakshi animated film
First year: 1979
1983 Third One-Volume Edition
multiple
Cover illustration by Roger Garland
Unwin Paperbacks
First year: 1987
First: 8
Last: 11
Cover illustration by Roger Garland
Unwin Paperbacks
First year: 1989
First: 12
Last: 12
Cover illustration by Roger Garland
Unwin Paperbacks
First year: 1990
First: 13
Last: 14
2005 50th Anniversary Paperback Edition
HarperCollins
Cover design based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien
First known: 1
Last known: 2
2002 Film Tie-In Edition
HarperCollins
Cover illustration from the film
First: 1
Last known: 2
Cover illustration from the film
First: 2
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The Ring Sets Out)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The Ring Goes South)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The Treason of Isengard)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The Ring Goes East)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The War of the Ring)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (The End of the Third Age)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
2001 Seven-Volume Film Edition (Appendices)
Collins
Cover illustration from the film, based on artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien with an image from the Jackson films
First: 1
Last known: 5
