[Mithalwen]

I am a hoarder (though I am currently trying to declutter and am trying to reform - I used to keep everything, every last bank statement, photograph, card, letter and Christmas card, the sweaters that my gran knitted me etc now I am relatively ruthless - pass on read paperbacks unless I really love them, and the day I got a shredder and blitzed everything that had passed the seven year limit - well I could easily have mocked up a set for a reenactment of the Fell winter but I am not particularly emotional about my Tolkien books as artefacts though as works they are precious. As long as I could replace them I am happy..I am a bit protective of The road goes ever on because I had to wait so long to get it and I am careful of my radio series tapes because the new version has been rejigged but otherwise I covet hard backs simply because the paperbacks are rather fragile for the use I give them. Although they look and feel nice a hard back can be rather awkward to read unless you are sitting at a desk.

However I bought a deluxe COH and wrapped it in tissue paper to read it to avoid any risk of paw marks so that slightly backfired. I suppose if I had unlimited space and money I would but in a small house already full of inherited mathoms I try to restrain my own collecting - multiple copies of books when the cases are already double stacked would be rather decadent and if we are going decadent and the money were available then I am not sure that a special edition of a work I already have would win out agains a super handbag or hat or champagne....