Why? The classic answer to every irreasonable striving: Because it is there.
OK, I'm a bit more utilitarian about books, and haven't yet fallen prey to the lure of Ebay, so the only multiple books I have are annotated or expanded editions and my original, 36-year old case (Hobbit, LotR, red heraldric box, Tolkien's cover illustrations), which is no longer in use. Of the latter I made the same experience as you, Mith - those good ol' paperbacks sure lasted longer than nowadays!
However, I can understand your case - had I gotten "good as new" editions, I would keep them as collector's items instead of using them. Probably a surer investment than stocks these days...
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth.. .'
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