Turin, I think that's a good deal. I'm still a bit upset about missing the 20% off by a matter of days. I did get 10% off, so it isn't too bad. (I did try to contact HC twice about a possible price guarantee/price match, but never got a response - great customer service HC! )

I cannot say where the market for this book will go in the near future. I would like to think that it might double or triple. The price certainly won't change much until all copies are sold out. However, I think that Christopher Tolkien's signature, plus the very nice leather binding on the book should make for an attractive collectible in the future.

Please do post the limitation numbers on your books once you receive them. (Also, just so you don't panic, my books actually took 12 business days to arrive. They may have been delayed in customs or something.)

Given the 30% discount and GBP 5.00 postage to Aus, I decided to get another copy of the signed CoH to shove under the bed for 25 years. The interesting thing is whether it will beat a bank account in terms of ROI at the end of the period. I'm not convinced it will, but I'll take the punt..!

My copy number is 443, so there aren't that many left unsold at this point. I guess they might discount further, but I'm thinking 30% off might be as good as it gets. Having said that, who knows - maybe 40% discount is just around the corner?

Stu

Well, today I received a copy of the Super Deluxe and it was number 219...
Strange

For anyone that is still interested in the Deluxe Edtions boxed set, but missed the 30% discount to 140GBP (which in my opinion is about the price it should retail for), I noticed that there is a seller on Abebooks (THE SAINT BOOKSTORE in Southport) that has >20 sets, charging 149 pounds. Not quite as cheap as the 30% off deal, but not far off.

"Description: 0007273568 BRAND NEW" "The J. R. R. Tolkien Deluxe Edition Collection: "The Children of Hurin", "The Silmarillion", "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien. Bookseller Inventory # B9780007273560"

I also notice (hence posting to this thread) that they also appear to have >20 Deluxe, Signed CoHs @ 261 pounds each.

"Book Description: Retailer-exclusive titles. LEATHER BOUND. Book Condition: New. 0007252242 BRAND NEW" The Children of Hurin by J. R. R. Tolkien. Bookseller Inventory # B9780007252244"

They seem legit, so it seems that HC are not quite the exclusive retailer they claim to be any more. Not surprising as the 500 Super-Deluxes have been hard to shift (even with plenty of people buying 2 or three copies)...

Stu

Stu

Thank you.. just placed an order for the HarperCollins Deluxe Edition JRR Tolkien Collection Set. I've waited months for an affordable price to appear on this set. I nearly broke down and paid aftermarket ($800-$850) for it a couple of times, so glad I held out. Thanks - Stu..!

In regards to the continuing Super Deluxe Children of Húrin saga, I've an interesting tidbit to add..

I placed an order for a copy of the Super Deluxe CoH in November 08, just prior to the advent of the 10% & 20% discounts. The number received from that order was 335. In Jan 09, responding to Alps 20% coupon and looking to soothe the sting from paying full price for that one copy, I placed an additional order for 2 more copies. The turn of events from this order took me by surprise.. I was astonished to see the numbers received to be 336 and 337.

I'm not complaining by any means, just a little perplexed. Although the orders were placed some time apart.. I still end up with consecutive numbers; 335, 336 & 337. How is this possible.. the odds for this have to be astronomical? Devine intervention..? I think not, it was done however by someone who I owe a debt of gratitude to, but how is it that you report receiving #443, nary a week after my unbroken sequence arrived. Was there not one single copy sold between the time of my November order and my 2nd order in January.. and then in that one week between me receiving #337 and you receiving your #443, 106 copies were rapidly sold.. can that really be!?

I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this sure is strange!! This HarperCollins company sure has some strange going ons..!! All this intrigue make me thirsty.. time for me pint

TT

Perhaps HC sold you your copies genuinely in sequence, then sold 100 or so copies to a re-seller - such as the one mentioned in my previous post - between then and the time it took to process my order. It seems to be the only rational explanation for how they got through so many copies in such a short time.

Of course, *if* this is the case, then HC still advertising the book on their own website as being exclusive is somewhat dodgy, especially as it is for 90 pounds more than the seller on AbeBooks.

My experience with HC is that they have some odd business practices.

Stu