The points of issue
Ed. Christopher Tolkien, illus. Alan Lee. UK first published June 2017; number line ending in 1; a deluxe slipcased issue also exists.
Is this the true first?
UK HarperCollins is generally taken as the true first; the US Houghton Mifflin Harcourt edition appeared the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Beren and Lúthien a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ed. Christopher Tolkien, illus. Alan Lee. UK first published June 2017; number line ending in 1; a deluxe slipcased issue also exists.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. UK HarperCollins is generally taken as the true first; the US Houghton Mifflin Harcourt edition appeared the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings differ.
I have a first edition of Beren and Lúthien — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.