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4 Dec, 2013
2013-12-4 8:57:36 AM UTC

Khamûl wrote:
I have this set, & would agree with the comments so far. The slipcase itself is particularly thin/insubstantial feeling. The cloth coverings (books & slipcase) don't quite rescue the set from utter mediocrity. The quality of the paper doesn't seem any poorer than any other standard HarperCollins hardback(s) though. The only real redeeming quality is the design.

BH

Any chance of posting up a picture of the slipcase?
4 Dec, 2013
2013-12-4 12:18:28 PM UTC
I'll take some photos later on & get them posted up...

BH
4 Dec, 2013
2013-12-4 6:44:03 PM UTC
I did find notes from HarperCollins that say the LOTR set contain "brand new reproductions of all of Tolkien’s original drawings and maps" - any comments on the quality of reproduction for these would also be appreciated!
5 Dec, 2013
2013-12-5 2:00:43 AM UTC
I concur with Urulöké (thanks for bringing it up)! It would be a decisive reason for me to get the set if there is a significant difference in the reproduction of the images, compared with other (earlier) editions.
5 Dec, 2013
2013-12-5 3:48:12 PM UTC
I will post some images from my set when I get them, I expect them to have changed from the first printing of this box-set, this is because they are not available for purchase at the moment, either online or in book shops.
5 Dec, 2013
2013-12-5 11:19:09 PM UTC

Trotter wrote:
I will post some images from my set when I get them, I expect them to have changed from the first printing of this box-set, this is because they are not available for purchase at the moment, either online or in book shops.

Tolkien.co.uk still seem to have the boxed set for sale.
28 Dec, 2013 (edited)
2013-12-28 8:22:04 AM UTC
Attached are some images of the second impression boxed set. Hobbit is 4th impression and the others are 2nd Impression. The books seem to be about par for the course quality-wise. The slipcase is somewhat flimsy, as seems to be standard for HarperCollins at the moment.

228_52be89c8785c4.jpg 534X640 px

228_52be89d891c18.jpg 506X640 px

228_52be89e3f1d0b.jpg 396X640 px
28 Dec, 2013
2013-12-28 10:29:35 PM UTC

Urulöké wrote:
I did find notes from HarperCollins that say the LOTR set contain "brand new reproductions of all of Tolkien’s original drawings and maps" - any comments on the quality of reproduction for these would also be appreciated!


In terms of the maps, the front end paper of each book is the middle-earth map and the rear of each is a map of Rohan/Gondor/Mordor. I can't see anything special about any of these maps or the map of the shire, etc. Quality does not seem to be better than - say - the 2005 editions (which of course had nice fold out maps).

I'm not sure what HC are talking about with regards to these "brand new reproductions", but it seems to have little basis in truth. The Hobbit, obviously does not have any of the colour illustrations, improved or otherwise.

Don't buy this set because you think you are getting anything extra. You are getting less than earlier recent editions (i.e. no pages from the book of Mazarbul, no fold out maps, cheaper paper, no colour illustrations in 'The Hobbit'..).

It may be worth buying for the relatively nice design of the covers, depending on how much spare cash you have floating around.

228_52bf506a87ee9.jpg 1280X960 px

228_52bf50837ca22.jpg 1280X1034 px
28 Dec, 2013
2013-12-28 11:47:23 PM UTC
It looks externally identical (at first glance). What differences, if any, are we suggesting might exist between the set with 1st impressions of LR and this one (with 2nd impressions)?

BH
29 Dec, 2013
2013-12-29 2:21:15 AM UTC

Khamûl wrote:
It looks externally identical (at first glance). What differences, if any, are we suggesting might exist between the set with 1st impressions of LR and this one (with 2nd impressions)?

BH

I can't speak of the slipcase, but the books didn't look noticeably different than the 1st impressions. That said, I haven't seen them side-by-side.
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