Red Collector's Volume of LotR question

Greetings everyone!

A year or two ago I read a review of the red, single volume, leatherette collector's edition of the Lord of the Rings. In this review it was mentioned that several years had very good printings and others, very poor ones. I haven't been able to find that review again, and I was wondering if anyone out there happens to know which are good years to search for as far as paper and printing quality goes.

Thank you kindly!

dnvechoes@yahoo.com

Hullo Yazad, welcome to Entmoot.

I am confident someone here can answer your question (since I can't ), so stick around.....

I can't speak about any printings except the first one. I have a copy of that and the print is fine. The binding is also holding up pretty well.

Before anyone starts drooling about collectibility though, it was a gift from number two fiance. She wrote a personal message to me on the inside cover. Strike one. Then number one wife (who was number three fiance) sees the personal note and tears out that page. Strike two. I'm holding my breath waiting to see what strike three might be.

All in all, though, it IS a beautiful book.

Ahhh, thank you Kcbob!

Could you possibly tell me if the first edition is dated 1974? I believe it is, but I'm not certain.

Thanks!

You are correct. 1974.

Poor poor kcbob.

Is that "Poor poor kcbob" (tongue in cheek) because I'm fortunate to have a Volume 1 edition?
Or possibly "Poor poor kcbob" (tongue in cheek) because I'm old enough to have received one in 1974?
Or perhaps "Poor poor kcbob" (tongue in cheek) because you know me personally?
Or even "Poor poor kcbob" (tongue in cheek) for none of the above reasons?

Please note the (tongue in cheek) option on all possibilities. LOL