The unofficial name Christopher Tolkien Centenary Boxed Sets refers to a series of hardcover books published by HarperCollins from 2023 to 2026.
The publication of the series coincides with the centenary celebration of Christopher Tolkien (1924-2020), the literary executor of his father J.R.R. Tolkien. All books included in sets 1–6 of this series were edited by Christopher; the 5 books contained in set #7 were edited by others.
The series includes 7 boxed sets, each containing 3-5 volumes. The volumes are bound in hardcover, featuring double-sided dustjackets, which can be removed and put back in reverse. Set #1 - #4 are the "legendarium" books, including The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and 12 The History of Middle-earth volumes. Their dustjackets reproduce on one side the original covers of the first hardcover editions, on the other side the illustrated covers of the first paperback editions, by John Howe.
Next is a box titled "Myths and Legends" (no. 1), containing 4 books all deal with the old legends: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, The Fall of Arthur, and Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary.
The three "Great Tales" were also re-issued in this format, being the first time they were published in a single box in UK by HarperCollins. Unlike the other boxes, these do not have the reversible dustjackets.
The "Myths and Legends" (no. 2) continues on the inclusion of more works by J.R.R. Tolkien: Finn and Hengest, The Story of Kullervo, The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun, The Battle of Maldon. Most notably, it also contains The Old English Exodus, which had never seen a reprint since its 1982 publication.
Gallery
- Box #1: HarperCollins, hardcover, 7 December 2023, ISBN 978-0008663162
- Box #2: HarperCollins, hardcover, 28 March 2024, ISBN 978-0008669232
- Box #3: HarperCollins, hardcover, 6 June 2024, ISBN 978-0008669294
- Box #4: HarperCollins, hardcover, 15 August 2024, ISBN 978-0008669393
- Myths and Legends #1: HarperCollins, hardcover, 24 April 2025, ISBN 978-0008737757
- Great Tales: HarperCollins, hardcover, 14 August 2025, ISBN 978-0008360108
- Myths and Legends #2: HarperCollins, hardcover, 21 May 2026, ISBN 978-0008795184
Saga of King Heidrek
Though not part of the series, Christopher's translation The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise, an academic work on an Icelandic saga originally published in 1960, has also been reissued for this occasion.
- HarperCollins, paperback, 5 May 2025, ISBN 978-0008767631
See also
External links
- Box review on Tolkienguide.com