19 Mar, 2024
2024-3-19 4:08:02 PM UTC
I would also add some context about the discussion on these Deluxe Illustrated by the Author editions now that we are a few years (in the case of LOTR) removed from their release. When they were first released, they were initially released only in the U.K., so American buyers had no choice but to have them shipped to them. These editions were not released in the U.S. until about a year following their U.K. release. So most of us who bought it initially were unable to view the book at all prior to receiving it in the mail, and then many discovered defects in the product. Now - a few years later - these books are available in stores in the U.S. They are not as common, given the price point and being specialty editions. But, for example, my favorite local independent bookstore and my local Barnes & Noble both have recently had copies on the shelf for sale. So if you have concerns, it might help to go take a look at the copies they have. Some of the books may still be in the box/shrinkwrap, in which case you may be out of luck in terms of inspecting the interior of the book. But I have seen in some cases bookstores have removed them to have the binding on display, and you could probably open the book to inspect the pages if you have concerns.
For whatever it's worth, my LOTR did not have damage, but my Silmarillion in this edition was significantly damaged (and not by shipping). After the complaints about issues with LOTR and Silmarillion, my understanding is a different printer was used for the Hobbit edition and I saw far fewer complaints about any issues with that one.
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