These "collector's editions" seem to be highly popular for some reason (the 2014 Lord of the Rings boxed set outshines this in every aspect), yet this is the cheapest I've seen it since it went out of print:

Isn't this a PoD Peoples of Middle Earth? Doesn't the original have boards matching the slip case's color, as opposed to black?

Ah, printed 2010. Missed the additional images! No mention was made of this being PoD in the listing; I wonder how many of the latter HoMEs get sold as the original thing to unsuspecting buyers, who may not know about the board color or sewn binding.

I think people who buy the PODs tend to be people who actually want to read/use/keep the book.

I certainly hope that's the case.