The Silmarillion Value Guide

Published posthumously in 1977 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, this Houghton Mifflin first edition is a cornerstone for Middle-earth collectors. It provides the essential mythological foundation for the First Age, detailing the creation of Eä and the legends that precede The Lord of the Rings.

What Is The Silmarillion Worth?

The typical price range for The Silmarillion is $75 - $85 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and physical condition of the original dust jacket, including whether it is price-clipped.
• The inclusion and intact state of the large fold-out map at the back of the volume.
• Overall structural condition, specifically looking for spine leaning, foxing, or cloth wear.
• The specific printing number, as true first printings command the highest end of the $75-$85 range.

How to Identify The Silmarillion?

• Look for the Houghton Mifflin Company imprint on the title page and spine.
• Verify the presence of the iconic mountain range dust jacket art designed by J.R.R. Tolkien.
• Ensure the red and black fold-out map of Beleriand is still attached to the rear of the book.
• Check the copyright page for the 1977 date and the First American Edition statement.

History of The Silmarillion

Published in 1977, four years after J.R.R. Tolkien's death, this work was edited and compiled by his son Christopher Tolkien. It details the creation of Eä and the legends of the First Age, providing the foundational lore for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This Houghton Mifflin edition features the iconic mountain range dust jacket art and originally included a fold-out map.