Are These New Larger Edition Sizes permanent

[HeraldElrond]

Hello Brant and all at SS, I was just wondering if these new larger edition sizes on the new pieces is going to set a new trend for SS. Will you be releasing most of the upcoming products with a TBD edition size to determine the demand for it or do you plan on doing some with the smaller 750-2000 edition sizes as well. I understand if you can't give much clarification and let the cat out of the bag prematurely but even a hint at some smaller editions in the near future would be appreciated.


P.S. I hope no offense was taken by what I or any of my fellow wetaholics posted in the "no new products at the party" thread. We were just anticipating the new products so much we may have gotten a little restless. We still love you baby:hat

[Brant]

All threads are good threads... and if they're not, I'm sure they'll magically disappear! Actually, we're a fairly humble group, and the debate and discussion that goes on here and on other boards is well received. No worries.

The products announced in January are all VERY strong offerings, and statues, and hence the larger edition sizes. There will be new pieces with smaller edition sizes announced throughout the year, but there will be other pieces with large edition sizes too. It's decided on a per product basis, not across the board.

Our CEO received an e-mail from a collector regarding edition sizes - I've taken the liberty of quoting his reply below.

Thank you for your email and your feedback.

In regard to our edition sizes, I believe that what has been misunderstood by the general public is that The Lord of the Rings fan base for our products has dramatically grown over the past 2+ years. It is an unfair to look at edition sizes for Fellowship products and edition sizes for Return of the King products and compare the two.

The LOTR collector base is making tremendous demands on Sideshow (and we are motivated to serve them). The global community that loves these books and adores these films have been exceedingly vocal about NOT being able to purchase from us. These fans feel betrayed, especially the new collectors who aren't able to go back to the beginning of the collection to purchase Fellowship and Two Towers products that are currently sold out. These fans want an opportunity to own something special based on the films - and at least want an opportunity to purchase the new items that are being released.

The feedback that we have received at Sideshow is that the purchasers of our products who have been predominantly motivated by secondary market values (because they intend to re-sell the product) are those that are upset. Whereas the fans of the books, the film, Weta Workshop, Sideshow, Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, etc. are ecstatic to have a greater opportunity to own a special item, regardless of how many are made.

While some speculators (and collectors) will undoubtedly cancel their orders, the indication here is that there is a rabid fan base that is standing by waiting for the opportunity to be able to take the place of anyone who elects to drop their order. We, of course, will be more than happy to help them, as we make product first and foremost for the fans who are only secondarily (if at all) influenced by the edition number on their piece.

[HeraldElrond]

Thanks alot Brant, really appreciate the info. I am a collector first and foremost. There isn't one product i've bought two of just to resell because the other fans deserve a fair chance too. Not that I have anything against those who buy two and sell one to pay for the first, I only wish I could afford to!:hat

[Honestyspolicy]

Thank You Brant and thank your CEO as well for that educative response to the fan that e-mailed him.:evil

[BayonetsJunkie]

Thanks again Brant. I think another thing is alot of people don't know just how large the fanbase for these items really is. A friend of mine remarked that they will never sell out. Well, looking at how well some of the open edition or high edition FOTR stuff sold, I'd say the new ROTK items will have no trouble selling out before their release date.

There's a reason why each successive LOTR film grossed more money than the previous; the fanbase is growing and growing. Keep up the smashing work.

[gooball]

Sideshow's CEO sounds like a good man. But I guess I'm biased when saying that because I agree with everything he said to the 't'.

Thanks for the post, Brant.

[bombadil]

Pleasant nice message there by the CEO, thanks Brant,

[Lembas Eater]

I do not have a problem with edition sizes. First of all, I want to be able to get the pieces. While I have a lot, including a Balrog and Orthanc, There is a lot I have missed too and I hate the idea of having to pay $1000 for a Cave Troll statue, for example. Sure its great to say that there are only 750 balrogs out there and mine is #128, but that is not why I buy these statues. I buy them because I love these books, these movies and these characters. I do not intend to sell them. That'll be someone else's job when I'm dead. If being able to get them means that there has to be huge edition sizes to accommodate everyone, so be it.