[fnord]

Hi Hair.

Thought I'd drop by and ask your experts a couple of questions:

Any definitive word on when TTT:Extended will be released? I hope it is long enough prior to ROTK to wear it out :-)

We got the Argonath with FOTR ... any idea what gifts will be in this one?

Finally, I want to purchase a high-quality, large-size LOTR book (or book set). It can be one book or separate volumes, but I want it to have the most and best maps and artwork, and I think that would mean it would be large (about 8" x 10" or more). I have perused Amazon but can't decide between several editions. I'm sure the Hobbit Hole regulars have experience and recommendations they can help me with.

Thanks for this thread and the spoilers one ... we sure could use some clips and trailers, ya know?

[HairOfTheDog]

ecurbh is coming with some details for you!

[HairOfTheDog]

And welcome to the hobbit hole any time you like!

[ecurbh]

Hi! The Extended Edition is slated for release Nov. 18. The gift is a statue of Gollum.

As to the best edition of the book, I'm not sure, so I'll let others answer that.

[Lil'freeper]

Hmmm...

Well,

I bought the leather(ette)-bound editions of the Hobbit and LOTR.

The LOTR edition has a large fold-out map in the back, it's nice but very basic. The Hobbit has beautiful color plates for illustrations. Definately keepsakes-they look gorgeous on the bookshelf. And they smell like proper books should. But, I also have paperbacks for the heavy duty reading, dog-earing, note-taking and such.

Your best bet for the best maps will be Karen Wynn Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-Earth. In it are the maps from the entire history of Middle-earth, much of it drawn from the Silmarillion and other texts. She's quite a talent and has a singular style.