Stu wrote:

eorl wrote:

Thanks for sharing more pics. This is definitely the first time I’m seeing this slipcase without the horrible notches.

I saw these first appear a year or more after it came out. Someone posted a pic on Reddit (IIRC) and I queried them for more info. I don't believe it is a second state, so much as a mislabelled second printing. I suspect that when they did the second print run they didn't change the "1" to a "2", either deliberately (in order to pretend the first print didn't happen) or accidentally as has happened with some of the first Chinese reprints of Euro-printed editions that have retained a "1".

Sorry to derail this thread further, but what are the bullet points of the complaints with the HCD Kullervo? As far as I can tell it hasn't had its own thread on the forums. And, is there a generally accepted "best" printing that is easily identifiable, or is it all a crapshoot since HC obfuscated printing information on latter impressions? Is it even possible to get a Kullervo that closely matches Italian printings of the rest of the series?

Caudimordax wrote:

Stu wrote:

eorl wrote:

Thanks for sharing more pics. This is definitely the first time I’m seeing this slipcase without the horrible notches.

I saw these first appear a year or more after it came out. Someone posted a pic on Reddit (IIRC) and I queried them for more info. I don't believe it is a second state, so much as a mislabelled second printing. I suspect that when they did the second print run they didn't change the "1" to a "2", either deliberately (in order to pretend the first print didn't happen) or accidentally as has happened with some of the first Chinese reprints of Euro-printed editions that have retained a "1".

Sorry to derail this thread further, but what are the bullet points of the complaints with the HCD Kullervo? As far as I can tell it hasn't had its own thread on the forums. And, is there a generally accepted "best" printing that is easily identifiable, or is it all a crapshoot since HC obfuscated printing information on latter impressions? Is it even possible to get a Kullervo that closely matches Italian printings of the rest of the series?

Probably a bit of a crap-shoot. I guess if you want the stated first print that is well manufactured, the used market would be the place to go. I feel like I have seen the odd opened one show up on eBay. I'm personally sticking with the true first, warts++ and all (unless I saw a reprint first for next to nothing, of course).

++ And it really was warty!

It's on my list of "buy it if you see a great price", but I probably won't seek it out the way I've done others in my collection. Truth be told, I actually rather like the trade hardback.

While I'd never pay for it, there exists a very nice 1st printing trade HC with a custom leather slipcase on Etsy which looks sharp. Could be a nice project to hone my rudimentary bookbinding skills one day!

David Miller at the Tolkien Bookshelf does those bonded leather slipcases - I think you can order them from him (he certainly has a few listed -- and the prices are pretty reasonable, IIRC).

Stu wrote:

David Miller at the Tolkien Bookshelf does those bonded leather slipcases - I think you can order them from him (he certainly has a few listed -- and the prices are pretty reasonable, IIRC).

Agreed! The Kullervo case is $33

https://www.tolkienbookshelf.com/pages ... ll-leather-and-felt-lined

Has anyone ordered the Tolkien Calendar 2021? I feel like it might be the best format to enjoy the illustrations (or a subset thereof)?

Urulókë wrote:

Stu wrote:

David Miller at the Tolkien Bookshelf does those bonded leather slipcases - I think you can order them from him (he certainly has a few listed -- and the prices are pretty reasonable, IIRC).

Agreed! The Kullervo case is $33

https://www.tolkienbookshelf.com/pages ... ll-leather-and-felt-lined

Aaaaand this is why I love this forum. Had no idea about this fellow. $33 is entirely reasonable!

Stu wrote:

Has anyone ordered the Tolkien Calendar 2021? I feel like it might be the best format to enjoy the illustrations (or a subset thereof)?

Funny you should ask! I ordered myself a copy after I got my hands on the book itself, because I had the exact same thought. I have it in hand, but haven't gone through it yet. More soon.

I've got a copy ready to go once January hits, and this blasted year ends.

Wonderful slipcases. I've ordered a case for the embellished 1e LR set I found a few years ago.