Halbarad wrote:

Me too! I’m torn as to whether or not I still want to get the PoD ones.

The Print on Demand editions are no longer being produced, these editions have replaced them. They will probably appear on eBay, etc. for sale, as people buy the boxed sets, so you probably will have that option.

Though I’m curious how they compare to those: whether or not they’re still being made

Mod edit - No need to create a separate thread to talk about this.

I had the POD set but sold to buy these. I'll report back once mine arrive to compare and contrast. Initially I can say the quality of binding and printing was not as good as e.g. The Alan Lee illustrated The LOTR/Hobbit box set.

Amon Rudh wrote:

I had the POD set but sold to buy these. I'll report back once mine arrive to compare and contrast. Initially I can say the quality of binding and printing was not as good as e.g. The Alan Lee illustrated The LOTR/Hobbit box set.

Oh really? Wow. So should I go for the original HoME 12 volume set then?

Halbarad wrote:

Amon Rudh wrote:

I had the POD set but sold to buy these. I'll report back once mine arrive to compare and contrast. Initially I can say the quality of binding and printing was not as good as e.g. The Alan Lee illustrated The LOTR/Hobbit box set.

Oh really? Wow. So should I go for the original HoME 12 volume set then?

If you are looking on binding and paper quality alone, I don’t think you’ll be very happy with the UK 1sts either. Many, especially the later volumes leave a lot to be desired.

Mr. Underhill wrote:

If you are looking on binding and paper quality alone, I don’t think you’ll be very happy with the UK 1sts either. Many, especially the later volumes leave a lot to be desired.

Good to know lol. I’ll probably just adjust my expectations and get them anyway. 👍

Amon Rudh wrote:

Initially I can say the quality of binding and printing was not as good as e.g. The Alan Lee illustrated The LOTR/Hobbit box set.

What is this comment based on? I think it is useful to give feedback of specific issues to the publishers, so what about the binding and printing is not as good?

Trotter wrote:

Amon Rudh wrote:

Initially I can say the quality of binding and printing was not as good as e.g. The Alan Lee illustrated The LOTR/Hobbit box set.

What is this comment based on? I think it is useful to give feedback of specific issues to the publishers, so what about the binding and printing is not as good?

My big issue was that the POD books, being perfect bound, cannot be laid flat while you read so your comfort is reduced as both hands need to be used to hold open the book. The LOTR/Hobbit box set and most others in the recent illustrated books are case bound/sewn and lay flat much more easily as the spine of the block is more flexible. Another secondary factor was that paper in the POD was better than some others (such as The Nature of Middle-earth), being whiter and with less texture, (so I think denser/more durable and possibly less likely to brown like many of the original HOME) but the LOTR/Hobbit box sets have paper more smooth and dense again, compared with POD. The POD dustwrappers were not as good a fit as the original HOME (based on one original The Return of the Shadow) but this only applied to placement of the rear panel so not an issue on the shelf.
Personally, I'll be more than happy with perfect bound and illustrated cover, even with these misgivings, and especially at the price.
If read with care, even if done regularly, I would expect the POD books to last a lifetime like most other books. These are my personal views and preferences and become moot if the books are bought to form part of a collection which will be rarely if ever read. Put it this way, if all I get is an equivalent of the POD with an illustrated cover to match my other books, I'll be delighted and would certainly recommend the POD to almost any average Tolkien reader. On the assumption the new books are as above, I'd recommend these too.

Amon Rudh wrote:

The LOTR/Hobbit box set and most others in the recent illustrated books are case bound/sewn and lay flat much more easily as the spine of the block is more flexible.

My copy of The Hobbit from this box set does not lay flat, and the new boxed set editions do not lay flat when opened. I see no difference.

The paper is different between the editions, but I don't have a problem with the paper used in either edition.

I have not seen the new box set yet and (I hope clearly) my comments above are based on POD. My (this copy has not even been read yet) Hobbit lies flat on its own without being held so maybe they vary but e.g. COH needs to be held with two hands like POD. For me neither are going to prevent me enjoying them or buying the new box sets as it allows access to books which are too expensive for my budget otherwise (e.g. the original Peoples of Middle-earth).
These are as stated my preferences and these are by definition absolutely individually diverse.