In this week’s Collectors Corner post we’ll talk about having a specialized collection versus collecting everything.
A few weeks ago, I’ve ordered my fourth illustrated edition of The Hobbit. The edition is from 1992 and features illustrations by Michael Hague. The other three illustrated editions of The Hobbit are a German translation from 1999 illustrated by Alan Lee, an English illustrated edition from 2013 featuring Jemima Catlin’s artwork, and a Russian translation from 1992 illustrated by Mikhail Belomlinsky (which is my favourite illustrated edition!). I never consciously planned to collect different illustrated editions of The Hobbit, but looking back, I’ve always had an interested illustrated editions of Tolkien’s work.
My collection is small, but growing. Up until a few years ago, I didn’t even considered myself to be a Tolkien collector. The way I saw my habit of continuously purchasing Tolkien related stuff was that “it is just this one more item”. So for the majority of my life as a Tolkien fan, I obtained whatever I fancied at that moment and whatever my wallet would allow.
My illustrated Russian edition
The more I interacted with Tolkien collectors, the more I realized I was one as well. From that moment onward, I began to consciously look for items to add to my collection. I’ve also read more about and talked to other collectors and realized that some have a very specialized collection. Some, specialize on collecting Weta Workshop collectibles, others are on the hunt for different translated editions of Tolkien’s works. Yet, other have no specialty whatsoever and collect whatever interests them.
For a while, I’ve thought about specializing different illustrated editions of The Hobbit. Across the globe, artists have interpreted Bilbo’s adventures in vastly different ways and a part of me wants to collect them all. I’ve talked to other members of our team here on Middle-earth News and Valdis, for example, shared her view on this topic:
“I’ve considered trying to focus on particular volumes to collect. However, I have to confess that I have absolutely no will to resist opportunities to collect Tolkien. I can’t pass up a handsome edition of just about anything Tolkien or Tolkien related. I don’t think I could ever choose one book over another to collect. For me, it would almost feel like neglecting an old friend. ”
Personally, I share Valdis’ view. Despite a part of me wanting to specialize my collection and focus only on, let’s say, illustrated editions of Tolkien’s work, another part cannot commit to such thing. I’m too excited to collect action figures, Weta Workshop collectibles, stationary and everything else that catches my attention. I admire those with a curated, specialized collection, but I don’t think that I’m that type of collector.
What about you? What type of collector are you? Do you collect everything or are you on the hunt for very specific items only? Leave a comment down below!
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