Recommendations for a reading copy?

[Mithadan]

I have amused myself, considering the amount of relatively free time that I have on my hands right now, by browsing eBay for an appropriate reading copy. This is the first time in roughly 15 years that I have looked for LoTR on eBay. I recall that prices, during the movie years, were somewhat absurd and expected that, with the passage of time, some degree of realism would have set in.

Based upon what I have seen, it appears that I have several thousand dollars of Tolkien books on my bookshelf. Since I doubt that this is the case, I will show some patience or will look to other marketplaces. Perhaps I am being cynical, but I simply do not believe that a mid-1970s boxed hardcover set of LoTR from an unremarkable publisher could be worth upwards of $1500 USD (and I have far more collectible versions sitting about; again, I am looking for a reading copy that will last a while).

Yes, Mark12_30, I may choose a lightly worn set of the Ballantine paperbacks from the early 1970s. But can anyone provide an opinion of the "new" deluxe Houghton Mifflin set with leatherette covers? Not joking....

*tries hard not to make a bad joke about "warm... leatherette..."

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Originally Posted by Mithadan

But can anyone provide an opinion of the "new" deluxe Houghton Mifflin set with leatherette covers? Not joking....

Well, in terms of durability the 50th Anniversary leather-bound deluxe US Houghton Mifflin one-volume is very well constructed indeed, although maybe a bit too "nice" - and bulky - for a daily reader. (Sadly, the HarperCollins UK ed isn't nearly of the same standard).

[Mithadan]

Thank you.

The last thing I need is another edition that I will be tempted to display on a shelf.

I have opted for a (hopefully) lightly handled early 1970s Ballantine paperback edition. I will let you know how it pans out.