The_Antiquarian wrote:
By the way, that is the simplest and the most economical of a cloth backed solander casing design. Although it could get a little costly, you can always contact established binderies (the Chelsea, Temple, Bayntun Riviere, Sangorski) for truly work of art solander casings.

Have a look on the booklet itself: it’s just a small and unpretentious little book, printed on 10 stapled pages of rough paper. I think, it would be undue, putting it in such a luxury clamshell. I like to collect books, but for the price of these “little costly” slipcases I’d rather prefer to purchase my next book. (But this is certainly not in the near future, even when negotiating a good price, this was quite a challenge for my wallet ;))

Ithildin wrote:

The_Antiquarian wrote:
By the way, that is the simplest and the most economical of a cloth backed solander casing design. Although it could get a little costly, you can always contact established binderies (the Chelsea, Temple, Bayntun Riviere, Sangorski) for truly work of art solander casings.

Have a look on the booklet itself: it’s just a small and unpretentious little book, printed on 10 stapled pages of rough paper. I think, it would be undue, putting it in such a luxury clamshell. I like to collect books, but for the price of these “little costly” slipcases I’d rather prefer to purchase my next book. (But this is certainly not in the near future, even when negotiating a good price, this was quite a challenge for my wallet ;))

I think that case is perfect for such a simple booklet. Elegant, simple and importantly, is not flashy.

Aelfwine: please have a look on page 11 of "Northern Venture"
Are there the same special printing features in your edition?

Ithildin, no, my copy has none of those "features".

This arrived today, picked it up on eBay for a pretty good price. Very happy with it!

These came in the post yesterday. I couldn't pass it up with the slipcase included

The box-set is a 4th printing ('76) http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details2.php?id=1178
The Hobbit is a also a 4th printing ('77) http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details2.php?id=143

A while ago I decided I really wanted a copy of The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise, edited by Christopher Tolkien. I know there's a POD edition available from Harper Collins UK, but I'm glad I tracked down the 1960 edition, it's a much finer piece of book making (and somehow feels more 'real').

'Nelson's Iceland Texts' was the short lived series that Christopher Tolkien's edition was part of. In the late 50s - early 60s they had high hopes of publishing a large series of Icelandic sagas with full critical notes and facing page English translation. But sadly they weren't commercially successful and only four volumes were ever published.

I've been trying to track them down. The Saga of the Jomsvikings came in the post today. Leaving just one more to find - 'The Saga of the Volsungs', but it seems very hard to find.

They're beautiful books and make great companions to my Tolkien collection proper. Just wish I could find the fourth

I’ve been wanting to get the POD as well, since their description of how it is made gives me confidence it will be a special piece of work. So I’m curious why you say this?

Signed by the Prancing Pony wrote:

I'm glad I tracked down the 1960 edition, it's a much finer piece of book making (and somehow feels more 'real').

Well I've only had a close look at a copy of the POD edition fairly briefly, and I don't mean to disparage it. Some of what I value in the 1960 edition is simply the result of age - a nicer colour tone to the pages, the ability to open the book and lay it flat without worrying the spine will crack - etc.

In fairness I guess the 1960 edition seems better to me because it fits uniformly with the other volumes in the series, which were never reprinted. 'Nelson's Icelandic Texts' would have become a fine library of Old Norse literature, and it's such a shame they couldn't afford to continue.

If you're considering the POD I'd say do buy it, my previous comments shouldn't put you off

Thanks very much for that explanation. And welcome ?