This is the non-Encore set by the looks of it.

eBay Item #251898178848

The auction detail wasn't amazing. I'm surprised, given that, that it was snapped up for £100, to be honest. Still, it's quite uncommon.

BH

Khamûl wrote:
The auction detail wasn't amazing. I'm surprised, given that, that it was snapped up for £100, to be honest. Still, it's quite uncommon.

BH

It is definitely uncommon. I think 100 pounds isn't terrible, but isn't a huge bargain, either. I have absolutely no doubt that the prices for all these relatively recent books have been slowly dropping. That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the Tolkien dealers offering it up for several hundred pounds in a few weeks, as that is how it seems to work!

I think that - at least in the "New World", the Encore "state" is definitely more common. I thought about buying this copy, but then I only paid $25 Australian (15 pounds) for my Encore set (without a single other bidder), so it is hard to justify spending close on 8 times that to get a slightly different texture on an imperfect slipcase. Sadly, I don't have the bank account to be a completetist, these days.

I've seen another (Encore) set listed since I got mine that re-listed 3 or 4 times, starting at $250 AU, dropping to $150 (if memory serves me), and it didn't sell. Three or four years ago it would have been snapped up.

How could you tell it was the HC version without seeing the slipcase better?

Tapuvae wrote:
How could you tell it was the HC version without seeing the slipcase better?

The HarperCollins/Encore one has a smooth finish, and the HarperCollins/Trade one has a textured finish. You can see the texture in the photo. There is also a difference in the size of the thumb-holes in the side of the slipcase.

Thanks for the information.

Someone on here?

eBay Item #161679360555

Not me, but looking at the pictures I wonder if the spine is there as no picture provided.

If you look at the first picture of it being held and zoom where the inside of the spine should be visible at the bottm, it looks like it is present. I think the person just didn't take any photos of it. Looks like a good copy for the money.

Edit - if you look at the feedback, the seller changed his mind about selling the book, and reneged on the deal.

I'm guessing someone offered him more money (which reflects as badly on the person offering on a fairly closed auction as on the seller)....

eBay Item #251971684422

cheap set at minute