Alan Lee Illustrated Lord of the Rings boxset [1992 Encore Ed.]

I noticed in the thread below (which shows an alternate variant of the set), that there is a claim that there are only 100 copies of the illustrated '92 boxed set. Does that claim hold any water -- it seems implausibly low, considering they do come up for sale now and then?

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... ost_id=8258#forumpost8258

I might have missed something obvious here, Stu --is the copy in that thread ("alternate variant of the set") different from normal?

BH

Khamûl wrote:
I might have missed something obvious here, Stu --is the copy in that thread ("alternate variant of the set") different from normal?

BH

The HarperCollins logo on the spine of the slipcase has the word "Encore" below it, instead of "Harper Collins". The Tolkien Library Store also have a set in a beaten-up slipcase like this (for $750 [yikes] -- and may be have been the same copy?) so it does not appear to be unique.

Edit: It also looks like the thumbholes on the slipcase are smaller on the "Encore" version. I have a set that is currently in the post, which may or may not be the "Encore" one (as I haven't seen the spine), but the thumbholes are definitely smaller than shown in the picture on tolkienbooks.net

Interesting. I have a vague memory of this being mentioned before, perhaps by you? I have the normal HC boxset myself...

BH

Khamûl wrote:
Interesting. I have a vague memory of this being mentioned before, perhaps by you? I have the normal HC boxset myself...

BH

There is an old thread where Trotter asks essentially the same question (I'd missed it at the time it was posted).

It will be interesting to see which version my set turns out to be, but I'm betting on it having the "Encore" text. If this is the case, I'd definitely be suspicious about there being a domestic and export version, as my set was sourced on ebay.com.au (for the princely sum of AU $25), and both other Encore sets I know of were also from sellers outside the UK.

I would be interested to know if you do get an Encore box, I noted some other differences to the standard HarperCollins box set as well.

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... ewtopic.php?topic_id=2232

Trotter wrote:
I would be interested to know if you do get an Encore box, I noted some other differences to the standard HarperCollins box set as well.

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... ewtopic.php?topic_id=2232

I should know for sure in a few days. The set is actually heading over to Perth in Western Australia at the moment, and one of my friends will be looking after it until he visits NZ again next year. I've asked him to open the package and email me photos when he receives it, so I can leave buyer feedback and satisfy curiosity as to which version it is.

Yep, mine is the Encore box, as expected.

I've attached pictures of the the box. I suspect the runes will differ from your version, Trotter?

I think I should clarify this, as it is not the Runes, that I noticed were different, but the area with the Elvish letters in the Centenary circle on the back of the box.

The 'Encore' box has four very clearly defined circles around the elvish lettering. The HarperCollins set has appears to have only have two circles around the lettering as the gap is very tiny between some of the circles.

I asked HarperCollins about Encore.

"I believe Encore was a mail order label (a bookclub, not HarperCollins imprint) and assume that a small batch of boxes was run on for them as a one-off special sale. I don’t have any records as to how many, I’m afraid. I assume the books themselves are identical to the trade edition."

Trotter wrote:

I asked HarperCollins about Encore.

"I believe Encore was a mail order label (a bookclub, not HarperCollins imprint) and assume that a small batch of boxes was run on for them as a one-off special sale. I don’t have any records as to how many, I’m afraid. I assume the books themselves are identical to the trade edition."

Thanks for clarifying that with HC, Trotter. Mystery solved.

Will need to keep an eye on them (as they occasionally come up for sale) to see which seems to be most common. There is a set on Abe in NSW (Australia) which is also an Encore version.

(Of course, Deagol will now need to update Tolkienbooks.net with an extra entry.)..