Even I, someone who has berated HarperCollins deluxe treatments has to admit we have discussed this subject to death. Can we possibly call time on our repeat attacks on this subject?

onthetrail wrote:

Even I, someone who has berated HarperCollins deluxe treatments has to admit we have discussed this subject to death. Can we possibly call time on our repeat attacks on this subject?

I agree

insurrbution wrote:

Yeah.... not to sound like a broken record, but these 'deluxe' editions they've been publishing since 2004 aren't 'deluxe' compared to what the publisher used to offer in the late '90s / early 2000's. Where's the gilt-edged pages? Where's the leather(ette) slipcase and binding? Only the limited editions of The Children of Hurin and The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun deserve to be called "deluxe", in my own personal opinion.

I mean, with some of the issues I've been reading about that some of the slipcased editions have been having (from The Story of Kullervo onwards) I'm inclined to think that the standard hardback editions are of better production quality!

I don't disagree, but I have to admit the HCD series is still probably the best-looking way to own many of these books. If you can track down the European-made copies, I reckon they're quite nice books in terms of binding, inking, and paper quality. And, with some patience, I've been able to pick up a few for a non-deluxe price. I'll be happy when the full lot finally adorn my shelf, and I'm rather enjoying to process of hunting for them. It's like fishing!

I love their Tolkien hardbacks :) I just don't feel that the slipcased editions are worth the money they cost (reduce the MSRP by 1/4, then it'd be more reasonable). Especially since they don't feature trappings of their previous deluxe titles (the leather, gilt-edged pages, etc)

We, as consumers, should be able to call them out on quality issues and standards of quality - ESPECIALLY pertaining to issues with the premium editions. When your standard edition has better production quality than the premium format, there's a problem. (specifically, referring to the stamp issue with Letters From Father Christmas. Zero issues with the standard hardback edition....)

That's all I meant to say

I think we have probably done the "Deluxe editions aren't deluxe" thing to death at this point - we are all in agreement. Probably worth moving onto other topics.

[Edit: I see onthetrail has posted exactly the same thing. Oh, and Trotter]

[Edit2: I'm not saying we shouldn't criticise when things are not up to par. My point is that everyone here has had that discussion ad-nauseum, so we should probably give it a rest until there is something different to comment on (good or bad -- hopefully good)].

My copy has arrived!

I was initially scared because the box was destroyed but the book and slipcase were somehow undamaged and NF condition (how can they ship a RRP GBP 75.00 book in a small box without any sort of padding?).

Anyways, the book and slipcase look great. IMO HC did a great job with this one in terms of colours and style. It is still 1st print by Rotolito and I am quite satisfied with the quality.

Maybe it's just my weak Google Fu, but is there not a trade hardcover version of Gawain? I see a Penguin paperback, and this deluxe version, but no standard HarperCollins hardcover.

Caudimordax wrote:

Maybe it's just my weak Google Fu, but is there not a trade hardcover version of Gawain? I see a Penguin paperback, and this deluxe version, but no standard HarperCollins hardcover.

No standard hardcover has been release by HarperCollins, but the first edition was in 1975 by George Allen & Unwin. http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details2.php?id=681

Thanks Uruloke, you always seem to have the answers in good time!

I won't speculate, but I will say I hope HC completes the "set". (Image from Berelach's bookshelf.) I think I'm gonna move in this direction rather than chase the HCDs.

That's not really a 100% matching set though - The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun and The Fall of Arthur both share a similar cover design theme. Beowulf, The Story of Kullervo and The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun have different design than the others, especially Beowulf and The Story of Kullervo.

For completeness sakes, it'd be interesting to see a collector's edition of Aotrou & Itroun, though I believe that book is slightly too small (thin) to even be bound ain the collector's edition format. I'm not sure how large the Sir Gawain one is, comparing it to its paperback.

I also wish there was a standard hardback edition offered at the same time as the collector's edition for Sir Gawain.