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Following its sell-out earlier this week, The Comprehensive Chronicle of Middle-earth: Collector’s Box Set is now available again at Amazon with a significant reduction. The 5,440-page, three-volume collector’s set is offered for $80.65 (originally $250) as part of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days book event. The 68% fall—almost $170 off—is the most substantial price reduction provided by Amazon since William Morrow released the collector’s set in 2020. Given that Amazon has already run out of this offer several times this week, it’s wise not to delay too long to secure this deal. Similar to many other J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings book promotions Amazon is showcasing this weekend, one must be a Prime member to obtain The Comprehensive Chronicle of Middle-earth at this discounted price.
On the other hand, all four hardcover box sets for 2024 featuring The Chronicle of Middle-earth and The Silmarillion are available for up to 66% off.
The Comprehensive Chronicle of Middle-earth: Collector’s Box Set
$80.65 (was $250) | Available again on October 4
Released in 2020 with a MSRP of $250, The Comprehensive Chronicle of Middle-earth is a beautifully crafted and designed box set. Each volume is substantial, and even the second volume, exceeding 2,000 pages, provides a delightful reading experience. All books come with a dust jacket and can be housed and showcased in a premium, custom-made case adorned with J.R.R. Tolkien’s emblematic logo.
Rooted in Tolkien’s Legendarium—a vast collection of backstories, lore, and notes encompassing Middle-earth over millennia—The Chronicle of Middle-earth was initially published from 1983 to 1996. Christopher Tolkien, the author’s son and literary executor, curated, edited, and supplemented the legendarium to produce 12 unique volumes.
The Comprehensive Chronicle of Middle-earth incorporates all 12 volumes in their original publication sequence:
- Book of Lost Tales, Part I
- Book of Lost Tales, Part II
- The Lays of Beleriand
- The Shaping of Middle-earth
- The Lost Road and Other Writings
- The Return of the Shadow
- The Treason of Isengard
- The War of the Ring
- Sauron Defeated
- Morgoth’s Ring
- The War of the Jewels
- The Peoples of Middle-earth
With a total of 5,440 pages distributed across three volumes, it’s reasonable to assert that these could be the largest books on most fans’ shelves. Each of the three volumes was also released individually on the same day as the box set, but at present prices, purchasing two of them would cost more than the box set.
-
The Complete Chronicle of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (3 Books, 12 Volumes) — $80.65 ($
250)- Section 1 – Vol. 1-5 in Hardcover (1,920 pages) — $54.20 (
$80) - Section 2 – Vol. 6-9 in Hardcover (2,032 pages) — $44.28 (
$80) - Section 3 – Vol. 10-12 (1,488 pages) — $59.60 (
$80)
- Section 1 – Vol. 1-5 in Hardcover (1,920 pages) — $54.20 (
The Chronicle of Middle-earth Box Sets (2024)
- Box Set 1 (4 Books) — $54.85 (
$125) - Box Set 2 (3 Books) — $55.57 (
$100) - Box Set 3 (4 Books) — $43.03 (
$125) - Box Set 4 (4 Books) — $55.24 (
$125)
Although The Complete Chronicle of Middle-earth serves as the most affordable method to experience all 12 volumes in print, the 2024 box sets are undoubtedly worth considering as well. These stunning sets come with vibrant, fully illustrated dust jackets and display containers. If a more classic appearance is preferred, the alternative side of the reversible dust jackets showcases the original designs with solid-colored backgrounds.
All 12 volumes are presented as separate books across the four sets, but choosing this option also grants access to additional titles. The publisher, William Morrow, decided to feature The Silmarillion as the first volume in Box Set 1. The Silmarillion, Tolkien’s most recognized work aside from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, is frequently associated with The Chronicle of Middle-earth nowadays–and it is easy to see why. Early drafts and portions of the 1977 classic are indeed part of the 12-volume collection. Box Set 1 also contains Unfinished Tales, while the last set includes a comprehensive index.
Continuing its tradition of decorative Tolkien hardcover box sets, William Morrow released this summer Tolkien Myths and Legends, a four-book box set available for $53.70 (was $125), and The Great Tales of Middle-earth, which includes Tolkien’s last three novels and is priced at $75 (previously $125).
Prime Large Deal Days: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion
Amazon’s preliminary Prime Large Deal Days book promotion is brimming with Tolkien novels, featuring numerous collectible versions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion.
The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Editions (2024)
- The Hobbit Collector’s Edition — $11.33 (
$35) - The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition — $12.26 (
$35) - The Fellowship of the Ring Collector’s Edition — $14.17 (
$35) - The Two Towers Collector’s Edition — $12.18 (
$35) - The Return of the King Collector’s Edition — $15.07 (
$35) - The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set — $59.79 (
$105)
Explore our comprehensive article on The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Editions.
The Lord of the Rings: Tolkien Illustrated Editions
- Tolkien Illustrated Edition Series
- The Hobbit (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $30.39 (
$75) - The Silmarillion (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $39.78 (
$75) - The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $47.49 (
$90)
- The Hobbit (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $30.39 (
- Deluxe Tolkien Illustrated: Special Editions
- The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition — $78.93 (
$195) - The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition — $79.88 (
$195) - The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition — $111.56 (
$250)
- The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition — $78.93 (
Explore our detailed article on the Tolkien Illustrated Special Editions.
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