Harumph.
The cynic in me sees how
convenient it is that errors were found in the expensive new edition published last year, errors which just
had to be corrected. While it might be good to get to a 'perfect edition' I wonder how much extra money the publishers will make from Tolkien fans who want to ensure they have got a copy of said 'perfect edition'?
From studying literature I know just how many works are available in many different 'varieties', and it is an enormous pain, not to say an enormous expense, when the 'required' edition is not the £1 'classic' available from remaindered bookstores but the £10 version with extensive academic notes. I would hazard a guess that the 'version' of LotR which is used in discussions will always remain simply whichever version is most popular, which ever version is most easily (and cheaply) obtainable. Most paperback editions are still using the text that was available in the late 70's/early 80's.
Still, I'm one of the suckers who
will spend my cash on different editions so the publishers can see me coming.
Though I do tend to get them second hand - including the edition with lovely covers and a slew of typos....