UK Editions

[Kelley]

> Neil wrote:
> I know people have already answered you in various degrees, but I 
recently bought the boxed Deluxe set (the cloth bound books) and I 
already have the hardbacks.
> 
<snipped beautiful description>
> 
> The regular hardbacks have dust covers, as John said, but the books 
inside feature the same designs on the covers as on the dust covers 
(rather than being plain-coloured and made to look like textured 
leather as the US ones are).  I agree with Doreen that the US 
hardbacks are rather more attractive to the look and feel (but others 
seem to disagree).  The US dust covers have a slightly more textured, 
almost recycled  feel, whereas the UK dust covers have a smoother, 
eggshell finish. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I did see pics of each spec. ed. at Amaz. UK, and to me they're far 
preferable to the Amer. spec. edition.  (I've only seen the US spec. 
edition of SS, not CoS or PoA yet, so don't even know if they're 
available here yet or not.)  I have the US harcovers of each, and the 
only one of mine that has that nice, textured feel is GoF.  Hmm.  
Have you ever heard of purchasing the dust jackets alone?  I was 
thinking this the other day, as mine are getting quite worn on the 
edges.  The books themselves are fine, so I'd really like to get a 
new set of dust jackets, purely for appearances. 
 
> Neil:
> My main reason for posting is to let you know that I got my Deluxe 
set (called "The Gift Set") from WHSmiths Online, for £68, as they 
are having a sale on HP items.  It looks like they've dropped the 
saving from 20% to 10%, but they are still having a sale... and you 
might find some other bargains (PS paperback is 50% off, for 
example).  They deliver to the US.
> 
> http://www.whsmith.co.uk/WHS/Go.asp?isbn=074755367X&DB=220

I did a bit of searching around last night, and the best price I 
found for the deluxe set, including S&H to the US, was at Swotbooks.  
(You don't -have- to be a student to purchase from them, do you?)  
The total price came out to 66.15 pounds, $93.69 US.  I'm now going 
back and forth with my conscience and bank account on purchasing 
them.  Which brings to mind another question:  I've not ever 
purchased a series of books in deluxe editions before, so I'm 
wondering whether it might not be better to wait and purchase the 
entire set after #7 is available?  I'm thinking cost-wise.  Does 
anyone have any experience with this?  If I do end up waiting to get 
the entire set later, I do want at least all the UK paperbacks for 
now.

Thank you so much for all the helpful info, Neil.

Kelley--as an aside to all the Yanks with BBCA:  Red Dwarf returns 
Friday, April 6!  Homer Simpson voice:  Woohoo!!!