insurrbution wrote:

Is it 'all NEW collector's editions (titles that have yet to appear) going forward', or does that also includes current printings of older titles? I'm just genuinely curious. Of course, if you don't know that's completely fine

My understanding is all of the in-print deluxe editions going forward, but I haven't confirmed that.

Either way wouldn't surprise me. Thanks

I received both editions this week.
Though I love the illustrated slipcase and the binding of the Deluxe Edition, the paper and printing quality are the same as the hardback volume. Even though it was advertised as being "printed in superior quality paper".

A glossy paper just for the illustrations, like the Children of Hurin hardback had been perfect.
Up until The Fall of Gondolin the pictures looked great, not dull like now.

This change (in my opinion) tarnishes the beauty of the paintings, and I have the same problem with the 2020 Alan Lee boxed set.

Glad to know that I'm not the only one slightly bothered about the paper used for the illustrations - I thought that I received a defective copy or something (wrong paper used). It doesn't bother me a great deal, though it's something I did notice. Overall very good printing job! (some photos of my copy attached to this post)

Raskolnikov wrote:

I received both editions this week.
Though I love the illustrated slipcase and the binding of the Deluxe Edition, the paper and printing quality are the same as the hardback volume. Even though it was advertised as being "printed in superior quality paper".

superior to what, though? I just take these marketing blurb statements with a pinch of salt unless there is something empirical in there.

insurrbution wrote:

I thought that I received a defective copy or something (wrong paper used).

That's what I thought too!

Stu wrote:

superior to what, though?

Superior to the standard hardback, at least!

Raskolnikov wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

I thought that I received a defective copy or something (wrong paper used).

That's what I thought too!

Stu wrote:

superior to what, though?

Superior to the standard hardback, at least!

You are far too optimistic!

Just curious: has anyone here pre-ordered the Houghton Mifflin edition? It's due out early next week, and I am curious to know (for sake of interest) if the following features have carried over from the HarperCollins edition to the HMH one:

- does it have a ribbon marker?
- does it use blue ink?
- are the maps the same, and are presented on endpapers or another manner?
- is the same type of paper used for the entire book?
- what does the book itself look like without the dustjacket?

Granted, I didn't know what - if any - differences there were between HarperCollins' and Houghton Mifflin's great tales books.

I haven't got my copy yet, but worth saying that depending on the locations of the pictures it might not be possible to use plates on different paper. They have to be on sheets that can fold between other signatures and that is quite limiting. That leaves the option of all the pages being glossy or all the pages being matte.

Thanks for your insight Stu - I remember someone on here commented (could've even been you) saying the difference in paper types for both illustrated hardbacks of The Silmarillion (1998 & 2004) affected how many images the books could have.