You are totally right. I probably should just slow my roll and do this the smart way. Look for each book in the condition I want. Rather than just skipping to the end. It would also feel incredible to slowly complete the dream over a longer period of time. Put more work and effort into it and come out with something that is truly part of my dream rather than just accepting what is infront of me. If you have any tips on places to look or anything youve learned in your days of collecting youd like to share I would gladly listen to it all !

I appreciate your write up, helped me put some things in perspective.

Welcome!

I was in your shoes last year, let me see if I can help you out. Personally, I think the price for the set you found is a little high, given how poor of a condition the spines of the dust jackets are in.

I've got a really good friend in the Facebook Tolkien Collecting group that is wonderful for finding great condition first editions at awesome prices. He doesn't have an eBay store, but he does have a store on AbeBooks:

https://affiliates.abebooks.com/c/9724 ... rtby%3D1%26vci%3D86688202

Tell him Halbarad sent ya! I've purchased from him before and he's great.

Also keep an eye out for this guy on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/priorys?_tr ... id=p3542580.m47492.l74602

Make sure you use the UK URL for eBay to see his stuff. He doesn't list his items as available for international shipping when first listed, but he's happy to change shipping when asked. I got one of my first edition sets from him for way cheaper than current market prices, with nearly flawless jackets.

Good luck! And post pictures when you find one! Feel free to message me if you have any more questions for me.

Nikoda wrote:

You are totally right. I probably should just slow my roll and do this the smart way. Look for each book in the condition I want. Rather than just skipping to the end. It would also feel incredible to slowly complete the dream over a longer period of time. Put more work and effort into it and come out with something that is truly part of my dream rather than just accepting what is infront of me. If you have any tips on places to look or anything youve learned in your days of collecting youd like to share I would gladly listen to it all !

I would second most of what members have said here with the caveat that these volumes are not rare (if specific printing doesn’t matter to you) and that you’re more likely to get a better price when casting a wide net, as there are a lot of choices on these out there.