Reference works
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Judy Allen, Fantasy Encyclopedia

A Guide to Fabulous Beasts and Magical Beings

Kingfisher, 2005. 1st edition. Hardback. Profusely illustrated alphabetic reference work.*

George Beahm, The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook

A fan's guide to Middle-earth and beyond

New Page, 2004. A heavily illustrated overview what one can collect in the Tolkien field (both books and merchandise), where to buy (but you already know that :-) - en interviews with Tolkien illustrators. 1st editiion. Paperback.

Martin Breese, Breese's Guide to Modern First Editions

London, 1993
The current marketvalue of almost 1500 first edition, plus profiles of more than 100 most collected authors, including Tolkien. 1st edition. Hardback.

John Carratello, A Guide for Using The Hobbit in the Classroom

 

Teacher Created Resources, 2009. Reprint. Paperback. Illustrated by Sue Fullam. Questions, information and  assignments for schoolchildren.*

John Clute and John Grant (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy

Orbit, 1997

A massive book (well over a 1000 pages long and weighing more than 2 kilo’s) with everything relating to fantasy, focussed on authors and movies, but others like illustrators, genres, societies and such are not neglected. Every fantasy-author ever (from Shakespearre to the present) has an entry, consisting of a biography, a critical analyse of the mayor works, a listing of other publications and secondairy literature. No illustrations or fancy pictures, just two columns on each pages of fine print. De entry ‘Tolkien’ is just over 9 columns. An invaluable work of reference. 1st edition. Hardback.

John Clute, Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia

Dorling, 1995
Overview of each aspect of SF; books, comics, movies, tv. 1st edition. Hardback. Illustrated in colour and b&w.

David Day, A Tolkien Bestiary. Londen, 1979

1st edition
"A comprehensive reference guide to all the living creatures that inhabited Middle-earth and the Undying Lands." Hardback. Illustrated in colour and b&w. Antiquarian: fine condition (slight wear on the dustjacket).*

David Day, A Tolkien Bestiary. Gramercy, 2001

"A comprehensive reference guide to all the living creatures that inhabited Middle-earth and the Undying Lands." Hardback. Illustrated in colour and b&w.

David Day, Characters from Tolkien

A Bestiary

Chancellor Press, 2002. Paperback edition of A Tolkien Bestiary. Illustrated in b&w and colour.*

David Day, Guide to Tolkien's World. Thunderbay

A Bestiary

San Diego, 2002. Paperback edition of A Tolkien Bestiary.*

David Day, Guide to Tolkien's World. Chancellor

 

London, 2001. Paperback edition of A Tolkien Bestiary, containing only the b&w illustration. Antiquarian: fine condition.*

David Day, Tolkien: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (paperback)

Fireside. Reissue with some small alterations of A Tolkien Bestiary. Illustrated in colour and b&w. Oversized paperback.*

Michael Drout (ed.), J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia

Scholarship and Critical Assessment

A detailed work of reference and scholarship, this one volume Encyclopedia includes discussions of all the fundamental issues in Tolkien scholarship written by the leading scholars in the field.

Coverage not only presents the most recent scholarship on J. R. R. Tolkien, but also introduces and explores the author and scholar's life and work within their historical and cultural contexts. Tolkien's fiction and his sources of influence are examined along with his artistic and academic achievements- including his translations of medieval texts- teaching posts, linguistic works, and the languages he created. The 550 alphabetically arranged entries fall within the following categories of topics:
· Adaptations
· Art and illustrations
· Characters in Tolkien's work
· Critical history and scholarship
· Influence of Tolkien
· Languages
· Biography
· Literary sources
· Literature
· Creatures and peoples of Middle-earth
· Objects in Tolkien's work
· Places in Tolkien's work
· Reception of Tolkien
· Medieval scholars
· Scholarship by Tolkien
· Medieval literature
· Stylistic elements
· Themes in Tolkien's works
· Theological/ philosophical concepts and philosophers
· Tolkien's contemporary history and culture
· Works of literature

The work is edited by Michael D.C. Drout, from Wheaton College, with the participation of Tom Shippey, Verlyn Flieger, Marjorie Burns, and Douglas Anderson.*

Colin Duriez and David Porter, The Inklings Handbook.

The lives, thoughts and writings of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield and their friends

London, 2001. 1st edition. Hardback.*

Colin Duriez, Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. Azure, 2001

A Guide To Middle-earth

London, 2001. Second impression. Paperback. Besides a short biography and chronology consists this book mainly of a alphabetical list of names, places and events in Middle-earth. Cover by Rodney Matthews.*

Colin Duriez, Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings

A Guide To Middle-earth

Besides a short biography and chronology consists this book mainly of a alphabetical list of names, places and events in Middle-earth. Sutton, 2004. 1st edition thus. Paperback. Cover by Martin Latham.

Angie Erregio, The Rough Guide to The Lord of the Rings

London, 2003

Easy to read pocket with some info on Tolkien, the books, the movies. Illustrated with stills from the movies. 1st edition.*

Promo-poster The Rough Guide to The Lord of the Rings

Poster shows the cover of the book and text. 12x24"/30x60 cm.

Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth. HarperCollins, 1993

From The Hobbit to The Silmarillion
Paperback. Cover by John Howe.*

Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth. HarperCollins, 2003 (signed)

From The Hobbit to The Silmarillion
Updated edition in which an index is added and an introdutcion by Ted Nasmith on the 50 colour illustrations from him in this edition (a number here published for the first time). This book is only published in Britian. Hardback. Signed by Ted Nasmith on the title page.*

Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth. HarperCollins, 2003

From The Hobbit to The Silmarillion
Updated edition in which an index is added and an introdutcion by Ted Nasmith on the 50 colour illustrations from him in this edition (a number here published for the first time). This book is only published in Britian. Hardback.*

Rick Gekoski, Tolkien's Gown and Other Stories of Great Authors and Rare Books

Contable, 2004
Discusses first editions and the story behind them. The second chapter deals with Tolkien and The Hobbit. 1st edition. Hardback.

James H. Gillam, Treasures from the Misty Mountains

A Collectors Guide to Tolkien
Ontario, 2001. 1st edition. Paperback. An overview of the merchandise that has appeared over the years. Nicely illustrated, but far from complete.

Wayne G. Hammond, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography

Oak Noll, 1993. 1st edition. Hardback (no dustjacket issued). An extensive description of all publications by Tolkien. Antiquarian: fine condition (cover a bit dirty and the shadow of a price label).

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings

A Reader's Companion
Houghton Mifflin, 2005. 1st edition. Hardback. Line for line annotations to The Lord of the Rings.*

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings (UK)

A Reader's Companion
HarperCollins, 2005. 1st edition. Hardback. Line for line annotations to The Lord of the Rings.*

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings (paperback)

A Reader's Companion
HarperCollins, 2005. 1st edition. Pocket. Line for line annotations to The Lord of the Rings.*

Hammond/Scull, The JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide Set (HoM)

HoughtonMifflin, 2006. 1st edition. Slipcase containing the hardbacks Chronology and Reader's Guide.*

Hammond/Scull, The JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide Set (HarC)

HarperCollins, 2006. 1st edition. Slipcase containing the hardbacks Chronology and Reader's Guide.*

Hammond/Scull, The JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology

HarperCollins, 2006. 1st edition. Hardback. A day-to-day account of Tolkien's life. Plus a bibliography of his work, including translations.*

Hammond/Scull, The JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide: Reader's Guide

HarperCollins, 2006. 1st edition. Hardback. Articles and essays on Tolkien's life and work.*

Greg Harvey, The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth for Dummies.

The fun and easy way to explore the myths and themes of The Lord of the Rings
Wiley, 2003. Paperback. Illustrated. A basic guide to some of the possible linguistic and mythological origins of Middle earth, and a rudimentary analysis of its many themes and lessons for our world. It includes topics that explore the main themes in Tolkien's works, including immortality and death; the heroic quest; love; fate and free will; and faith and redemption. *

Iain Lowson e.a., World of the Rings.

The unauthorised guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Richmond, 2002. 1st edition. Paperback. Illustrated. "The perfect beginners guide."

Alberto Manguel and Gianni Guadalupi, The Dictionary of Imaginary Places

Bloomsbury, 1999
Updated reissue. With many references to Middle-earth. Paperback. Illustrated with many maps and plans.

Nancy Martsch (ed.), List of Tolkienalia

Beyond Bree, 1995
Lists of products, calendars, posters, audio, video's, games and miniatures. Dated, but still usefull. Magazine format.

Alister E. McGrath (ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought

Oxford, 1995
1st edition. Paperback. Lemma on Lewis and Tolkien.

Myth & Magic. The Complete Fantasy Reference

Titan, 1999
With an introduction by Terry Brooks. With chapters on theme's like magic, races, armour, mythical beings and legends. Tolkien is frequently given as an example. 1st edition. Paperback. Illustrated.

Michael W. Perry, Untangling Tolkien

A Chronology and Commentary for The Lord of the Rings
Inklings Books, 2003. "A day-by-day reference, describing what each character is doing on that day." 1st edition. Paperback.

David Pringle (ed.), Fantasy: The Definitive Illustrated Guide

Carlton, 2002

With an introduction by Terry Pratchett.  Chapters on The Origins of Fantasy, Fantastic Story-types and Themes, Fantasy Movies, Fantasy Television, Fantasy Games and Fantasy Worlds, plus a Who’s Who in Fantasy and an A-Z of fantastic characters. Many references to Tolkien. 1st edition. Largesize paperback. Illustrated with 150 colour plates and 105 b&w plates.

Frank Rottensteiner, The Science Fiction Book. An Illustrated History

London, 1975
1st edition.. Largesize paperback. Tolkien is discussed. Antiquarian: fine condition.