Finally got them and delighted.

Thanks for sharing this pic.

I had planned to get these at some point, but the inconsistencies on those spines is already driving me nuts. I’m going to pass.

Yes I'd agree that if you want laser precision on the bookshelf these are not for you.
That said, I don't know how aligned even a series of first editions would be. Plus as I understand it, early issues will be different publishers from later volumes.........depends on budget and patience I suppose.
They are certainly good enough for me as I'll be reading them several times in rotation over years to come as I read through the whole legendarium repeatedly.

Amon Rudh wrote:

That said, I don't know how aligned even a series of first editions would be.

The first printings do not all line up on the dust-jacket spines.

Trotter wrote:

Amon Rudh wrote:

That said, I don't know how aligned even a series of first editions would be.

The first printings do not all line up on the dust-jacket spines.

Very nice!

The later impressions, where they are all Harper Collins printings, line up much better, as can be seen by the comparison. The lettering on the spine was changed, I presume, for this reason.

One other thing to consider is that all POD volumes have black rather than coloured boards. I think some originals have coloured boards?

Are the print-on-demand volumes still available? I'd love to get a hardcover version of the index, but can't seem to find any way to get my hands on one.

BoringFun wrote:

Are the print-on-demand volumes still available? I'd love to get a hardcover version of the index, but can't seem to find any way to get my hands on one.

Not for the moment because they are in the process of changing print companies, but they will be available again once the new printer is up and running, I understand.

Tuor son of Huor wrote:

Not for the moment because they are in the process of changing print companies, but they will be available again once the new printer is up and running, I understand.

That is good to hear, and after your reply I also received confirmation from HC directly that this is the case (expectation is to be ready for orders again in a few weeks, they said).

Now my question is whether it is possible get one shipped to Canada, as the website says they only ship physical products to the UK, the Channel Islands, and Ireland.