The complete life and times of Scrooge McDuck - deluxe

[stefan07]

Hi there, felllow Duck fans!
I was wondering if you know what is the difference between the regular Life and time of Scrooge mcduck by Don Rosa and this “deluxe” edition that comes this November:

The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Deluxe Edition www.amazon.com/dp/1683964659/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8XMAKF9EJEFGGHBPBBGZ

I am curious to see how the $225 price tag is justified. Thanks a lot

[caballero]

It's mostly about the larger format, with a few never before seen extras.

[hex]

A regular comic book is 6 5/8 x 10 1/4 inches, the 2019 Fantagraphics box set is ‎ 9 x 11.7 inches (according to Amazon), the upcoming deluxe edition is 10.5 x 14.3 inches (according to Amazon) and IDW's Artist’s Edition is 14 x 20 inches. For fun I made this illustration:

(purple = regular comic book, red = 2019 Fantagraphics collection, blue = Deluxe edition, green = Artist’s Edition)

[hex]

Also, the deluxe edition is everything collected in just one book, and not in two volumes as the previous English collections.

[caballero]

Thank you for posting that comparison hex ! I had been looking for something like that.

[stefan07]

Thanks for all the details guys. However, I’m not sure how they came up with this price tag?

[hex]

The book was originally listed at $125, but was later changed to $250. Here is what Don said about this on "The Official Don Rosa Group" on Facebook:

"But something I should try to explain which is on everyone's minds: this wild pre-order price.
As I understand it, getting listed on Amazon and other such sites in time for October (Christmas) release had to be done ASAP. And after that initial listing it was discovered that the ENORMOUS printing size of this planned book was far more than expected. The announced 11 X 15 inch size would apparently have crossed into a whole new price bracket... anyone who knows anything about publishing (and I know only a few basic details, this being one) that the size and shape of a book are more important in printing costs than the number of pages. That 11 X 15 size would have elevated the printing cost such that a sales price (for a profit rather than loss) to over the original $125 (or whatever it was( to well BEYOND even $250. So now the book will be VERY slightly smaller to drop it just an iota below the next lesser size increment to a lower price. The book itself will now be 10.5 X 14.3 inches. But to keep it at at least that size and make it special the price had to be raised above the initially prepublication announcement."

It sounds like the price is mostly about printing cost.

[caballero]

Aug 13, 2021 21:13:00 GMT hex said:

The book was originally listed at $125, but was later changed to $250. Here is what Don said about this on "The Official Don Rosa Group" on Facebook:

"But something I should try to explain which is on everyone's minds: this wild pre-order price.
As I understand it, getting listed on Amazon and other such sites in time for October (Christmas) release had to be done ASAP. And after that initial listing it was discovered that the ENORMOUS printing size of this planned book was far more than expected. The announced 11 X 15 inch size would apparently have crossed into a whole new price bracket... anyone who knows anything about publishing (and I know only a few basic details, this being one) that the size and shape of a book are more important in printing costs than the number of pages. That 11 X 15 size would have elevated the printing cost such that a sales price (for a profit rather than loss) to over the original $125 (or whatever it was( to well BEYOND even $250. So now the book will be VERY slightly smaller to drop it just an iota below the next lesser size increment to a lower price. The book itself will now be 10.5 X 14.3 inches. But to keep it at at least that size and make it special the price had to be raised above the initially prepublication announcement."

It sounds like the price is mostly about printing cost.

I don't understand why Don Rosa said that the size of the book caused it to cost $250. For example, Monograph by Chris Ware is far larger and only cost $60. Okay that book is only 280 pages, but even two of those books would be only $120. So only $120 for the same page count as the Lo$ Deluxe Edition, but a far larger size. Same goes for Taschen's Little Nemo book (the XXL edition). $80 for a 13.5 x 17.3 inches, 370 page book. It doesn't add up.

[shrelp]

All of you should take a look at this thread where David himself posted about the extras of this book. (if you haven't already)


www.tapatalk.com/groups/marvelmasterworksfansite/uncle-scrooge-and-donald-duck-don-rosa-library-fan-t23871-s340.html

[stefan07]

Think I’ll stick to the regular Life and times of Scrooge box set. We are talking about a $170 difference, it’s ridiculous

[alquackskey]

Strangely, it's still listed as the old price on Amazon UK (Shows up as €105 for me, not quite sure what the equivalent is)

Apparently, anything other than US Amazon isn't covered by the pre-order price guarantee - if they try to more than double my price, I'll absolutely be cancelling.

[The KKM]

Aug 13, 2021 22:23:58 GMT caballero said:

Aug 13, 2021 21:13:00 GMT hex said:

The book was originally listed at $125, but was later changed to $250. Here is what Don said about this on "The Official Don Rosa Group" on Facebook:

"But something I should try to explain which is on everyone's minds: this wild pre-order price.
As I understand it, getting listed on Amazon and other such sites in time for October (Christmas) release had to be done ASAP. And after that initial listing it was discovered that the ENORMOUS printing size of this planned book was far more than expected. The announced 11 X 15 inch size would apparently have crossed into a whole new price bracket... anyone who knows anything about publishing (and I know only a few basic details, this being one) that the size and shape of a book are more important in printing costs than the number of pages. That 11 X 15 size would have elevated the printing cost such that a sales price (for a profit rather than loss) to over the original $125 (or whatever it was( to well BEYOND even $250. So now the book will be VERY slightly smaller to drop it just an iota below the next lesser size increment to a lower price. The book itself will now be 10.5 X 14.3 inches. But to keep it at at least that size and make it special the price had to be raised above the initially prepublication announcement."

It sounds like the price is mostly about printing cost.

I don't understand why Don Rosa said that the size of the book caused it to cost $250. For example, Monograph by Chris Ware is far larger and only cost $60. Okay that book is only 280 pages, but even two of those books would be only $120. So only $120 for the same page count as the Lo$ Deluxe Edition, but a far larger size. Same goes for Taschen's Little Nemo book (the XXL edition). $80 for a 13.5 x 17.3 inches, 370 page book. It doesn't add up.

There's a dozen reasons why, and considering Don Rosa likely only knows little more than we do since he's not the editor of the book, we can only guess. Could be they're using different printers. Could be the paper quality. Could be because of current printing conditions considering the pandemic. Could be he's being swindled. Etc.

[rombax]

Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the articles on the normal and the deluxe editions or if they have the same ones?

[caballero]

Dec 23, 2022 9:23:43 GMT rombax said:

Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the articles on the normal and the deluxe editions or if they have the same ones?

Articles about the individual stories are the same, although the book has some extra material not in previous volumes. But the main thing that makes it a deluxe edition is the presentation (size, paper, design, etc.).