The Silmarillion -- Different versions?

Question

I just read about the book The Silmarillion and thought I'd like to buy it, but I'm a little confused about the different versions that I found.

On amazon I found foremost these two versions (I hope it's okay to include links here)

The Silmarillion -- Hardcover
The Silmarillion -- Paperback

On the German site (where I'd like to buy), they are directly available from amazon, but at greatly different prices (26.10 Euro vs. 9.50 Euro).
I cannot see any difference whatsoever except of the Hardcover/Paperback thing.
Is it really the same book (only with a different cover) or are there differences? Is there any point of buying the expensive one or can I be scroogy?

Travis Christian · Accepted Answer

There have been several publications of The Silmarillion over the years, in a first and second edition. Both of those appear to be the second edition from what I can tell. The price difference is because of the different binding and size, and perhaps the quality of illustrations. That price ratio is typical of hardcover vs paperback books in the US.

As far as the content, I'm not aware of any major textual changes between the first and second edition. Christopher Tolkien revised his father's fragmented notes considerably to publish this book in the first place, and much of the source material was later revised further for The History of Middle-earth. Inconsistencies between this and other books would surely be more significant than differences between the first and second editions.

TL;DR: Those are the same book. You're safe buying the cheaper one.

DForck42 · Answer

Typically, unless one is a newer publication (ie Years newer) than the other one, and they're both by the same publishing company, the hardback and paper back should be the same.

Aaron · Answer

The more expensive one is a "sumptuous, oversized hardback beautifully presents a revised and reset edition of The Silmarillion, illustrated by way of almost 50 full-colour paintings by celebrated Tolkien artist Ted Nasmith", according to the book description.

Answered by Aaron on July 10, 2021

ibid · Answer

The main differences between the two editions are the type of binding and the number of illustrations.
The first book that you linked is the 2004 HarperCollins hardcover illustrated edition. The second is the 2008 HarperCollins paperback illustrated edition.
Both of these use the 2nd edition text, include the new forward by Christopher Tolkien (quoting from Tolkien's Letter to Milton Waldman), and are illustrated by Ted Nasmith.
Here are the differences:
2004 HarperCollins hardcover illustrated edition

Hardcover with dustjacket
larger dimensions and weight
The Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North is colored by H.E. Riddett, and printed on the endpapers. (In the first impression of this edition it was a fold-out, but I'm assuming if you're buying it now, you're getting the later impressions.)
45 color illustrations from Ted Nasmith are included

2008 HarperCollins paperback illustrated edition

Paperback
smaller dimensions and weight
The Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North is printed in its original black and white and spread over the final pages.
16 color illustrations from Ted Nasmith are included

It is now nearly ten years after you've asked this question, but if you still haven't made your decision by now, I'll say that the hardcover edition is a nicer book, but otherwise is effectively the same thing and so if you just want to read it for cheap you'll be fine with the paperback.
(Also the 2021 Hardcover illustrated edition is superior to the 2004 one, so if your goal is to have the nicest copy just skip that edition.)

The Silmarillion -- Different versions?

4 Answers

The main differences between the two editions are the type of binding and the number of illustrations.

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