# Is "The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (HoME vol. 2)" by J.R.R. Tolkien a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (HoME vol. 2) by J.R.R. Tolkien (George Allen & Unwin, 1984) is identified by: Edited by Christopher Tolkien. UK George Allen & Unwin true first, published 16 August 1984; the US Houghton Mifflin edition follows on 26 November 1984.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Edited by Christopher Tolkien
- UK George Allen & Unwin first impression, 1984, identified by the 'First published in 1984' statement on the copyright page
- Bound in burgundy/maroon boards with gilt spine lettering and a stained (dyed) top edge; the priced dust jacket should retain its printed price
- Publisher imprint reads George Allen & Unwin
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Publisher | George Allen & Unwin |
| Year | 1984 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Edited by Christopher Tolkien |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Edited by Christopher Tolkien. UK George Allen & Unwin first impression, 1984, identified by the 'First published in 1984' statement on the copyright page. Bound in burgundy/maroon boards with gilt spine lettering and a stained (dyed) top edge; the priced dust jacket should retain its printed price.

## Is this the true first?
UK George Allen & Unwin true first, published 16 August 1984; the US Houghton Mifflin edition follows on 26 November 1984.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions and club/US printings differ; the true first shows only the 1984 'First published' statement with no later-impression additions on the copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (HoME vol. 2)* by J.R.R. Tolkien a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-book-of-lost-tales-part-two-home-vol-2
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.