The seller will order one from Harper Collins as soon as the bait has been taken and then duly send out to that buyer when it arrives to the seller from HC and then the fishing line rebaited with another fishy lure. Nothing gets kept in the keep net or thrown back but caught raw and wriggling with etiolated fingers ......that's unless the River-woman's daughter scares the little fishies away.

How come I don't see many comments, or the good lads at tolkienguide youtube opening, highlighting that the quality is improved on paper and print, and silver gilded pages on all sides for longevity? And ofc the lack of fake leather. Seems to me the sentiment here is that these are the same books/different packaging. But really, they aren't truly the same, are they? It's just the same design, which makes it feel like we get the same books in a new packaging? If I'm mistaken, then feel free to enlighten me; I am new to deluxe books😄

Thormin wrote:

How come I don't see many comments, or the good lads at tolkienguide youtube opening, highlighting that the quality is improved on paper and print, and silver gilded pages on all sides for longevity? And ofc the lack of fake leather. Seems to me the sentiment here is that these are the same books/different packaging. But really, they aren't truly the same, are they? It's just the same design, which makes it feel like we get the same books in a new packaging? If I'm mistaken, then feel free to enlighten me; I am new to deluxe books😄

Can't comment for the TCG Mods, but the only person I know who has both sets in hand has stated to me this morning that there was no observable difference in the paper between the two and that they appear to be essentially the same page blocks. Gilded sides don't in any way increase the longevity of books -- they are a cosmetic choice. It is essentially the same books with some slight materials tweaks + signature in a different type of box.

For me, the lack of fake leather is a good thing. But these are still just a perfectly standard inexpensive rayon book cloth, same as the normal deluxe. There aren't any especially expensive materials in play here.

They are what they are. If those relatively small differences in the books themselves justify the price to you, go ahead and purchase. The main difference is signature page to one volume, cosmetic detailing and the (to my mind very silly) box though.

Thormin wrote:

How come I don't see many comments, or the good lads at tolkienguide youtube opening, highlighting that the quality is improved on paper and print, and silver gilded pages on all sides for longevity? And ofc the lack of fake leather. Seems to me the sentiment here is that these are the same books/different packaging. But really, they aren't truly the same, are they? It's just the same design, which makes it feel like we get the same books in a new packaging? If I'm mistaken, then feel free to enlighten me; I am new to deluxe books😄

I think that what feature a person highlights has a lot to do with their own experience, perspective and existing collection. Someone who already has five sets signed by Alan Lee might not spend 15 minutes gushing over the signature page (like I would). Someone for whom the binding and how the book opens up is very important, they might spend some time on that in every unboxing video (such as Pontus Presents). I am not sure there is a right or wrong approach here. What an unboxing video or an individual commenter is going to focus is always going to be informed both by the facts and by their past experiences and I think that is okay.

Thormin wrote:

How come I don't see many comments, or the good lads at tolkienguide youtube opening, highlighting that the quality is improved on paper and print, and silver gilded pages on all sides for longevity? And ofc the lack of fake leather. Seems to me the sentiment here is that these are the same books/different packaging. But really, they aren't truly the same, are they? It's just the same design, which makes it feel like we get the same books in a new packaging? If I'm mistaken, then feel free to enlighten me; I am new to deluxe books😄

We do mention in the unboxing video that we are fairly certain (given just minutes of time to compare, during that live unboxing) that the page block is identical - same printer, same paper, same ink. The boards are different, and the sprayed edges of course, but materially these are likely the same quality. If Trotter takes more time to investigate and compare and comes to a different conclusion, I am sure he will say something.

I suppose if one wanted to be controversial, one could point out that these books are nearly identical to those in the The Hobbit & the Lord of the Rings Illustrated by Alan Lee Box Set, except they're printed on nicer paper, with some nice new design elements, with nicer binding, in a nicer box, with some nice extras (e.g. the maps and art cards), and nicely signed by the illustrator. 🤷‍♂️

Strider wrote:

I suppose if one wanted to be controversial, one could point out that these books are nearly identical to those in the The Hobbit & the Lord of the Rings Illustrated by Alan Lee Box Set, except they're printed on nicer paper, with some nice new design elements, with nicer binding, in a nicer box, with some nice extras (e.g. the maps and art cards), and nicely signed by the illustrator. 🤷‍♂️

I think people just need to accept that other people may have differing opinions on these books and anyone buying or not buying shouldn’t need the validation of others in a decision either way.

For some, the small differences will be worth the significant cost and for others they won’t.

Hear, hear!

Yeah, I have no illusions about the reason for why I got this edition (because it is signed limited, I have no such edition and there may or may not be more such editions in the future). Without it, it would have been a pass for me (unless they pushed out a huge discount later on).

Gilded sides don't in any way increase the longevity of books -- they are a cosmetic choice.

Pls correct me if im wrong but as far as i know, "proper" gilding protects paper from contact with dust. In time, dust will absorb humidity. In time, the humidity will pass to the paper.

Nothing of that will happen if the books are in a case, of course. But gilding per-se has had a use historically (unless im wrong)