Welcome to our site and thank you for taking the time to visit! I appreciate that your time is valuable. I have specialised in selling rare books by J.R.R. Tolkien since 2003, over 23 years. I am one of the oldest and largest specialist Tolkien dealers in the world. J.R.R. Tolkien collectable books is all I do, no other books, no other day job! I have become the leading recognised expert on Tolkien rare book collecting. You will notice in our book inventory we actually have dozens of rare and first editions in stock and ready to buy! I am not using Tolkien books as a loss leader or as click bait. Click on our shop links below to see our current inventory.
New in December 2025
26 page E-book guide written by Mark Faith, owner of Festival Art and Books.
With record prices being acheived on Tolkien first editions lately, it is more important than ever to have accurate advice. The Tolkien Collector’s Guide is designed to steer the collector away from the notion that everything Tolkien is valuable and will appreciate, regardless of age or condition and what makes one example more valuable than another. It is easy to identify Tolkien editions and printings, but there is a minefield of misinformation and fake information on various websites and in known guides, especially now with AI search results. There are no surviving records from the original publisher Allen & Unwin so all publishing information is secondhand. Drawing on his 30 plus years of experience as a collector and specialist dealer the author sets out what to look for at both ends of the market, the super rare, and the more affordable for the enthusiast. Given that perfection is by now unattainable, the reader will learn which defects are acceptable and which are not, with the intricacies of the sequence of publication for the early editions set out. The implications of repair and restoration are also covered. The guide goes beyond the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy to consider other fiction and non-fiction works, as well as the later slip-cased and deluxe editions of the former.
Advice on what to buy is complimented by advice on where to buy and the pitfalls of buying at auction or from non-specialised dealers are considered. The impact on the market and values of the various film dramatisations on the market is another theme. Are the myriad Harper-Collins reprints they inspired worth collecting? All the important technical details the buyer might need to know regarding the complex variety of editions, printings, states etc. are presented in this little guide.
Don’t take chances with your hard-earned money, buy the best, from the best: Festival Art and Books.
I have 23 years’ worth of previous customers looking to sell their rare Tolkien book collections to us on consignment. If you do not see what you are looking for, please contact us and I will find it for you! Visit my shops frequently as my stock changes every week.
Key items for sale are listed on our eBay and AbeBooks shops. While we get discovered on these sites, most of our sales are direct by email/phone saving you unnecessary taxes and fees. I can also meet up with you in person to show you our more expensive books. I also hand-deliver valuable books all over the world. I have always had 100% positive feedback. As such a specialist, I have to get it right, every time, for every customer or I would be out of business. If you see something you want for sale in our shops, contact us directly for the best price. I can save you money and taxes only if you buy direct!
No. 1 Shop for Rare and Collectible Tolkien Books