wiseSam wrote:

trixster wrote:

I’d be a little surprised if this were to get discounted any time soon (or at all?) even if it doesn’t sell out for months and months, as doing so would be a massive slap in the face by HC to customers who bought an LE release at full RRP.

We shall see, but I tend to agree that discounts are unlikely to show up anytime soon. If so, it would indicate impatience on Harper Collins' side.

I believe this is the first Harper Collins edition with a "limited" print number in quite some time. Say what you will about the price, but limitation to 1000 copies adds a significant value to the product. From HC's financial perspective, isn't it better not to sell out immediately (i.e. too low an asking price or not enough copies printed) than to sell at a slow rate? Even if it takes 6 to 12 months to sell out, or if they only sell 500 to 750 copies in that period, I imagine the seller will be happy.

A question for you more experienced collectors: when was the last time HC published a Tolkien product in limited quantities? It seems they planned to do this with the author illustrated editions until they realized how much interest there was.

The last limited run release HC did before this one was the deluxe Signed Sigurd & Gudrun limited to 500 copies, it took ages to sell out and many sold for a discount.

So there is precedent for discounting limited Tolkien runs that don’t sell quickly, not a slap in the face, just business. I do think it will be some time before HC evens entertains a price reduction however.

They have finally dispatched my order after I bothered them with a couple of emails 😅

Mr. Underhill wrote:

..there is precedent for discounting limited Tolkien runs that don’t sell quickly, not a slap in the face, just business.

Just to add a little to this point well made. Discounting items is a very normal part of retail and those who buy early (should) know that there is the potential for discounts later on. No face slapping would be taking place and HarperCollins, like all retailers invite us to buy, they do not have an axe held over us. We buy products, and sometimes the prices change over time. Most of us here will have bought a car and found it cheaper later, and at a much greater cost than a set of books at £750.

If HarperCollins do discount the set (which I have no opinion one way or the other about), those who bought at full price knew that potential and bought anyway.

In forming my initial opinion on this edition, I find it helpful to first-of-all set aside the price.

I like the product itself, with its unique clamshell box and drawer set-up. The colours and material and overall quality is very good.

The books themselves are tactile and have a weight and density that appeals to me. They feel good in the hand. Likewise the print quality, the binding, the paper and the various accoutrements all reflect a high quality product.

If I compare to the 2024 edition and the Folio Society limited edition, I would position this in between the two, with the Folio Society the better of the three.

Props also by the way to HC for the packaging - which was excellent at a time when many seem to be scrimping or trying to minimise costs in this area.

Whilst a number of people seem to be quite underwhelmed by this edition (which actually lowered my expectations down a little before it arrived), I actually like it very much.

The elephant in the room to some extent is the price, which I completely understand. However, if at some point in the future it becomes available at a discount of say 30%, I think that would be an appropriate price point for this edition.

My only dilemma now is how best to store/display as currently it is just plonked on top of my Tolkien bookcase whilst I work that out!

When the set was originally announced, it included this

How much will this edition cost?

The initial selling price will be £750.

Initial selling price indicates that the price could change (up or down), it is good to see upfront transparency like this from a publisher.

Rohan wrote:

In forming my initial opinion on this edition, I find it helpful to first-of-all set aside the price.

I like the product itself, with its unique clamshell box and drawer set-up. The colours and material and overall quality is very good.

The books themselves are tactile and have a weight and density that appeals to me. They feel good in the hand. Likewise the print quality, the binding, the paper and the various accoutrements all reflect a high quality product.

If I compare to the 2024 edition and the Folio Society limited edition, I would position this in between the two, with the Folio Society the better of the three.

Props also by the way to HC for the packaging - which was excellent at a time when many seem to be scrimping or trying to minimise costs in this area.

Whilst a number of people seem to be quite underwhelmed by this edition (which actually lowered my expectations down a little before it arrived), I actually like it very much.

The elephant in the room to some extent is the price, which I completely understand. However, if at some point in the future it becomes available at a discount of say 30%, I think that would be an appropriate price point for this edition.

My only dilemma now is how best to store/display as currently it is just plonked on top of my Tolkien bookcase whilst I work that out!

I think your current display looks really good!

I agree with Joaozin. That's a nicely-presented collection.

Strider wrote:

I agree with Joaozin. That's a nicely-presented collection.

Hm, I don’t know, something is lacking…

Possibly hidden…

;)

Aelfwine wrote:

Strider wrote:

I agree with Joaozin. That's a nicely-presented collection.

Hm, I don’t know, something is lacking…

Possibly hidden…

;)

Yes, Aelfwine makes a good point. Why isn't The Nature of Middle-earth more prominently displayed

;)

Mr. Underhill wrote:

[Yes, Aelfwine makes a good point. Why isn't The Nature of Middle-earth more prominently displayed

;)

I’ll tell myself that it’s being lovingly extra-protected against spine-fading.