advice . . .

[Partyman343]

I would like to ask for the advice of my beloved fellow LOTR fans . . .

You see, someday, when I move into my own house and have my own family, I am planning on having a library at some point, and to this library I would like to add The Lord of the Rings of course. Now I would like to ask for recommendations as to what you think would be the very best copy (or version) to get. I want to have like the ultimate version for the ole' library (I know I'm getting ahead of myself, hehe, but oh well). For example, here are two that I was looking at . . .

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=z0s17VlrrA&isbn=0395595118&itm=8

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=z0s17VlrrA&isbn=0395193958&itm=2

Please do let me know if the links above don't work, and I want to thank you in advance for your advice. Take care everyone!

[Brock Landers]

The Leather one. I've been wanting that one for a good while.

[Soulless]

I would say the illustrated one, because to me it looks more impressive then the other one. I would have the more impressive one on my shelf.

[JEDI_THE_WHITE]

Why not both?

[adonihs]

both

[PsYkOoOoO]

Hmm.Depends.

If you like to read with pictures and stuff I'll recommend the illustrated version.However,the problem with this edition is that whenever you read,the cover of the book will slip out.Its bloody irritating.However,the paper quality is pretty good.Which means that it wont turn yellow after awhile.Its pretty neat.The leather one havent got much illustration.I havent flipped through it before,but at least you wont get that problem i mentioned above.

[Soulless]

Originally posted by PsYkOoOoO
Hmm.Depends.

If you like to read with pictures and stuff I'll recommend the illustrated version.However,the problem with this edition is that whenever you read,the cover of the book will slip out.Its bloody irritating.However,the paper quality is pretty good.Which means that it wont turn yellow after awhile.Its pretty neat.The leather one havent got much illustration.I havent flipped through it before,but at least you wont get that problem i mentioned above.
You can always take the slipcover off while reading if it irrates you.

[PsYkOoOoO]

Yeah i know.

But personally,i like to read on my bed.So sometimes i will accidentally sit on the covers.Well,if you have the leather cover edition you wont even need to worry about this right?

The leather edition looks more,like a bible.More grand.

The illustrated version is more like a storybook.

[Soulless]

Originally posted by PsYkOoOoO
Yeah i know.

But personally,i like to read on my bed.So sometimes i will accidentally sit on the covers.Well,if you have the leather cover edition you wont even need to worry about this right?

The leather edition looks more,like a bible.More grand.

The illustrated version is more like a storybook.
Fair enough. You do have a point there. I'd go with both versions then because they both bring something different to the table.

[PsYkOoOoO]

I prefer the illustrated versions though.It gives a better representation of the story.But since you have the movies now as your reference you dont really need the pictures to visualise.Some of the stuff written in there are pretty hard to imagine really.I like pictures,haha.

[The Moose]

i'd get the leather one.

[PsYkOoOoO]

Its 3 in 1 right?The leather edition?

[Andrey83]

I'd get the illustrated. Because Alan Lee is just great.

[PsYkOoOoO]

Like i said.I love pictures.Haha.

[Andrey83]

Me too, at least alan lee's pictures!

[PsYkOoOoO]

I personally prefer John Howe's pictures.

Alan's better with beautiful stuff like,Rivendell and Shire.

John Howe's pictures are cool.Just look at those Fell Beasts.Wow.

[Andrey83]

Yeah, agree. But i think they are a very good team!

[adt100]

Howe's main weakness is that he can't draw people (or Hobbits). Lee captures that mystery and 'other-worldiness' of ME best for me.

I'd go for the illustrated hard cover if I were you, it's certainly a very high quality book. I would have bought it myself but at the time couldn't afford it, so just bought the smaller, unillustrated hardcover with Gandalf on the front.

I also bought the box set of the 3 in black paperback for when I just want a quick read or to take away from home. :)

Of course if you just want a book to look nice in a large bookcase, go for the leather one.

[Drogobaggins]

I'd actually buy both the leather and ilustratesd and do what I do, make a whole shelf dedicated to Tolkien books.

[PsYkOoOoO]

I dont see why someone should buy both editions.I mean,if you want to buy a better edition of it go ahead.But both of them are equality good.I dont see why anyone should buy both.

[flukeman]

It just depends what you're looking for. I personally didn't want an illustrated version, but the set I have has Alan Lee's paintings on the covers and the slipcase. It's this one, it's really nice:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=ZYw1bFcrXB&isbn=0395489326&itm=14

[Partyman343]

Thank you all so very much for your advice. I think I'm leaning toward the leather version so far, but it is a really tough choice. I think my brother (another major LOTR fan) is going after the illustrated version, so I think one day we'll just admire each other's versions . . .

On a side note, I know he isn't as famous as the other two, but another favorite LOTR artist of mine is Ted Naismith . . . not so great at people, but some of his landscapes are amazing!

[Partyman343]

Sorry, it's actually Ted Nasmith. Take care all!

[The Moose]

yepm ted is also pretty damn good with the landscapes