GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.
The Hobbit Encyclopedia Preorders Discounted At Amazon Ahead Of September 3 Release
This hardcover volume gives you an in-depth look at The Hobbit, including analyses of key characters, places, and more.
If you’re an avid Tolkien fan and have a particular fondness for The Hobbit, the upcoming Hobbit Encyclopedia should be on your radar. The 336-page book takes a deep dive into the lore of Middle-earth, covering everything from iconic characters and places to sacred objects and other essential lore. The Hobbit Encyclopedia releases September 3, and preorders are currently seeing a nice discount.
The Hobbit Encyclopedia
$31 (was $40)
This hardcover volume is pitched as the ultimate source for all things related to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel. Whether you’re a newcomer to The Hobbit or you’ve read it a thousand times, you can probably find something here that’ll help you better appreciate Bilbo’s journey. Here’s a short sampling of topics covered in the book:
- The Arkenstone
- Azog and Bolg
- Dragons
- Elvish
- Faërie
- Girion
- Lake-town
- Pipes and pipe-weed
- The Quest of Erebor
- Wasterlands
Scattered throughout the text are a variety of premium illustrations that help bring different subjects to life. It’s been designed to be read either front to back or skimmed through as a reference book.
You also might be interested to learn The Hobbit has multiple new and upcoming editions. The Hobbit Collector’s Edition, a beautiful new hardcover version of the classic tale, released earlier this month and is on sale for $29 (was $35). Meanwhile, The Hobbit Deluxe Tolkien Illustrated Edition is set to launch on October 22, and preorders are available for $151 (was $195). This lavish edition of The Hobbit is part of the Tolkien Illustrated Editions collection. The standard Tolkien Illustrated Edition of The Hobbit is still a gorgeous book in its own right–plus, it’s only $39 (was $75).
The Hobbit Collector’s Edition is part of a new series of hardcovers featuring Tolkien’s five best-known works. The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition also released earlier this month, and it’s available for only $24.50. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy–The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King–will receive their collector’s editions on September 17. These beautiful editions only cost $35 each–pretty much the norm for new hardcover fiction–and will be collected in The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set with a foldout map on November 5.
Each of the five collector’s editions has eye-catching foil-stamped cover art, a ribbon bookmark, and sprayed edges. Similar editions previously released in the UK, but this is the first time the designs will be published in the US.
The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Series
- The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Box Set — $94.50 (
$105) | Releases Nov. 5 - The Fellowship of the Ring Collector’s Edition — $35 | Releases Sept. 17
- The Two Towers Collector’s Edition — $35 | Releases Sep. 17
The Return of the King Collector’s Edition — $35 | Releases Sep. 17 - The Hobbit Collector’s Edition — $29 (
$35) | Released Aug. 6 - The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition — $24.50 (
$35) | Released August 6
Deluxe Collections + Tolkien Illustrated Series
- The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (Hardcover) — $325 | Releases Oct. 1
- The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien Box Set (Hardcover) — $113 ($
125) | Releases Sep. 17 - The Hobbit Deluxe (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $151 ($
195) | Releases Oct. 22 - The Hobbit (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $39 ($
75) - The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $47 ($
90) - The Lord of the Rings Deluxe (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $141 ($
250) - The Silmarillion (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $40 ($
75) - The Silmarillion Deluxe (Tolkien Illustrated Edition) — $118 ($
195)
There are several other Tolkien books to check out if you’re interested in adding more to your collection, including The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien–which takes a look at real-world places that inspired fictional places like Hobbiton and Rivendell. It’s currently on sale for $22 (was $30). You should also check out the new editions of the 12 volumes in The History of Middle-earth, which have been collected in four colorful box sets with truly stunning designs.
The History of Middle-earth
- The History of Middle-earth Box Set 1 (Hardcover) — $69 ($
125) - The History of Middle-earth Box Set 2 (Hardcover) — $69 ($
100) - The History of Middle-earth Box Set 3 (Hardcover) — $100 ($
125) - The History of Middle-earth Box Set 4 (Hardcover) — $112.50 (
$125) - The Complete History of Middle-earth Box Set (Hardcover) — $131 ($
250)
Then there’s the upcoming The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (Hardcover)–which carries an eye-watering $325 price tag (though it’s currently discounted to $292.50). Dedicated Tolkien fans will want to give this a closer look, however, as it includes exclusive illustrations from popular artist Alan Lee, three removable art cards, and two foldout maps. The three-volume set features premium binding and a protective slipcase to keep it safe on your bookshelf. This is without a doubt the coolest version of The Lord of the Rings we’ve seen, and it certainly has the price to match.
Heads up: If you still use wall calendars, there’s a 2025 Lord of the Rings calendar releasing later this month that contains a few neat flourishes.
More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard Collector's Edition Preorders Live Now
- Doom Anthology Preorders Are Live – Comes With 6 Games, Steelbook Case, And Replica BFG
- Halloween And Ash Vs. Evil Dead Retro Games Revealed – Collector's Bundle Preorders Live
- + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5)
- Rare Nintendo Amiibo Figures Restocked – Ness, Mr. Game & Watch, ROB, Charizard, And More
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection Anniversary Edition Preorders Live At Amazon
- Retro Pokemon Brick Sets In Stock At Target – Pixel Art Mew, Pikachu, Charmander, And More
- Best Nintendo Switch Game Deals This Week – Zelda And Mario Games For Big Discounts
- Biggest Upcoming Horror Movie Blu-Ray Releases Ahead Of Halloween
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
Join the conversation