@ravenheart,

I was talking about purchasing at a case level. Believe me, I have opened a lot of cases over the years, and I would take a very high quality couple of sketches per case over 8-12 sketches littered with doodles. Pretty certain the vast majority of collectors would agree with me on this. I do agree with you that it makes buying single boxes a much bigger risk though.

quote:

Originally posted by Goldfish:
Opened three cases. Got the expected nine sketches and not a bad sketch in there. In fact the overall standard was superb. Shows that a high quality 3 sketch case product beats a 12-15 average quality sketch case product hands down.

My favourite three cards pulled;





Excellent product.

Richard - that's nice Reinke. My case is still in transit.

Picked up an impulse box from LFCC:

Peter Hambleton as Gloin
Character Biography: CB05, CB19
Flashback: P01, P04, P06, P08, P10, P16
...and 35 badly aligned base cards.



Mixed feelings all in all.

I love the look of all the possible insert cards in this set, nice selection + cool designs, and the Character Biography ones I pulled are especially nice, but the base set was not a good experience here. I've amassed 7 packs worth of defective cards; over quarter of the box! I'd hate to be a kid buying this by the pack. This is the first Cryptozoic product I've bought so not too impressed. As a result I'm missing the following for a full base set: 1,2,3,11,12,13,19,20,21,28,29,30,33,34,42,43,44,51,52,53,60,61,69,70,71,78,79,93,94,95

I think this defective 33 was the biggest biscuit taker:

Rather than get 35 correctly cut base cards, which I'm sure you could if you wrote Cryptozoic, you can probably put those in the "trade" section and ask for a regular base set and few chase cards in exchange for them. You might get a taker. Ordinarily miscuts like that aren't of much interest, but on more popular titles like Star Wars, Marvel, and LOTR, there's such a wide variety of collectors that some of them do like having cards like those in their collection, just because it's something different.

At £75 a box, I'd not only want a good product, but gilt-edged as well!

That's the first I have heard of miscut base cards in over 25 cases of breaks across the various online boards . Either you are very unlucky or sadly more likely most people are only interested in the big hits and could not care less about the base set.

Congratulations on getting into LFCC, from the reports I have heard you were one of the few .

Cryptozoic stated that they pulled boxes from the production run due to quality control issues it looks like they missed this one.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham:
At £75 a box, I'd not only want a good product, but gilt-edged as well!

£75 is only the post release price now everybody knows how good it is. I paid $56.25 per box preorder.

The lowest current buy-it-now price for a box on the auction site is $104.50. That makes it pretty hard to honor the MSRP of $3.50 a pack!

Here's my case break. All but one box gave a complete, properly cut base set, and the extras even managed to combine for a 13th base set. Also 4 complete Flashback sets and one full Biography. I was going to quit after 5 boxes because I already had found my expected 3 sketches, but hope lingers and I pulled the Boyens auto in the final box. My other "big" auto was Armitage. Here's the sketches:

Robert Hendrickson, Kyle Babbitt, Elfie Lebouleux


Boxes hold 24 packs of 5 cards, 12 boxes per case. Expect 1.09 sets of 101 base cards if collation were perfect.

BOX 1

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 6 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-02 P-05 P-07 P-11 P-14 P-17
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-06 CB-13
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): KA-04
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A7 Dean O'Gorman as Fili the Dwarf
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): Robert Hendrickson (Elrond)

BOX 2

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-01 P-04 P-06 P-08 P-10 P-16
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-08 CB-19
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A6 Stephen Hunter as Bombur the Dwarf
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 3

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-02 P-05 P-07 P-11 P-14 P-17
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-07 CB-12
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A16 Manu Bennett as the voice of Azog
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 4

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 9 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-03 P-09 P-12 P-13 P-15 P-18
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-01 CB-17
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A21 John Rawls as Yazneg
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): Kyle Babbitt (Galadriel)

BOX 5

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 9 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-01 P-04 P-06 P-08 P-10 P-16
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-04 CB-18
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A9 John Callen as Olin the Dwarf "Dwarves Rule"
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): Elfie Lebouleux (Azog)


BOX 6

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-03 P-09 P-12 P-13 P-15 P-18
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-01 CB-10
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A12 Mark Hadlow as Dori the Îwarf
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 7

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-01 P-04 P-06 P-08 P-10 P-16
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-03 CB-16
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A1 Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 8

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-03 P-09 P-12 P-13 P-15 P-18
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-09 CB-11
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A14 Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 9

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-01 P-04 P-06 P-08 P-10 P-16
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-03 CB-12
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A20 Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 10

Base Set (101): no set, 4 short of 1st, 11 extra
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-02 P-05 P-07 P-11 P-14 P-17
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-07 CB-17
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): KA-02
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A3 Graham McTavish as Dwalin the Dwarf
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none


BOX 11

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-02 P-05 P-07 P-11 P-14 P-17
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-02 CB-15
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): A5 James Nesbitt as Bofur the Dwarf
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): none
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

BOX 12

Base Set (101): 1 complete set, 10 extras
The Lonely Mountain Flashback Cards (18, 1:4 packs): P-03 P-09 P-12 P-13 P-15 P-18
Foil Character Biography Cards (19, 1:12 packs): CB-05 CB-14
3D Lenticular Poster Cards (4, 1:144 packs): none
Autograph Cards (21, 1:24 packs): none
Philippa Boyens Autograph (1, 1:1600 packs): CA-2 Philippa Boyens - Writer
The One Ring Card (1/1): none
Oversize Dual Autograph Redemption Cards (21): none
Hand-Drawn Art Cards (59 artists, 1:96 packs): none

First Case:

Autos
A1 Richard Armitage
A2 Ken Stott
A4 William Kircher
A5 James Nesbitt
A6 Stephen Hunter
A8 Aidan Turner
A11 Jed Brophy
A14 Ian Holm
A16 Menu Bennett
A18 Andy Serkis
A19 Lee Pace
A21 John Rawls


Inserts
3D Lenticular Poster - KA-01 & KA-02
Character Bios - 1 complete set, 5 extras
Lonely Mountain - 4 complete sets


Sketcheses
Danny Silva, Richard Cox, John Haun

Second Case:

Autos
A3 Graham McTavish
A5 James Nesbitt
A6 Stephen Hunter
A7 Dean O'Gorman
A8 Aidan Turner
A9 John Callen
A14 Ian Holm
A15 Barry Humphries
A16 Manu Bennett
A18 Andy Serkis
A21 John Rawls
CA-2 Philippa Boyen


Inserts
3D Lenticular Poster - KA-03 & KA-04
Character Bios - 1 complete set, 5 extras
Lonely Mountain - 4 complete sets


Sketcheses
Studio Mia, Dan Gorman, Keven Reinke

Got my box yesterday.

1 set 101 cards, plus 7 extras
2 Character Bios - CB9, CB11
6 Lonely Mountain cards
1 Auto - Manu Bennett, Voice of Azog
1 Lenticular Poster KA03

Sorry I didn't get a sketch, some of these are amazing. Love the Character cards and 3D Posters.

After the fun of opening my first case last week, three more arrived yesterday. So I've spent a chunk of the last 36 hours breaking open and scanning in two of them. I'm still debating whether or not to open the final one.

Colation and content on the second case was excellent again but I can't quite say the same for the third. It had three boxes missing a card for a full base set and one missing 9 cards. I was able to make up the missing number to complete all 12 base sets, though I had to raid the left overs from my other two cases to manage it. Somewhat worse was the autograph colation, as I hit two duplicates in my twelve auto cards. Had it not been for this, I could well have made an auto Master Set from just the two cases. As it is, I am still short two autos across all three cases for a Master Set

Gripes aside, I can't complain too loudly about finding another Writer Auto or my selection of sketches. Great to hit a Charles Hall sketch of a main character and I was pleased to finally find a scene card after so many protraits. Many thanks to Ted for creating it for me to find

Oh yes, for the record my original first case was number 29.

Autographs Case 2 (Number 261)



A2 Ken Stott as Bailin the Dwarf
A3 Graham McTavish as Dwalin the Dwarf
A4 William Kircher as Bilfur the Dwarf
A5 James Nesbitt as Bofur the Dwarf
A6 Stephen Hunter as Bombur the Dwarf
A9 John Callen as Oin the Dwarf 'Love from Erebor' variant
A10 Peter Hambleton as Gloin the Dwarf
A12 Mark Hadlow as Dori the Dwarf
A14 Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins
A17 Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
A20 Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown
CA-2 Philippa Boyens - Writer

Sketches Case 2



John Haun – Bilbo Baggins
Vince Sunico - Goblin
Charles Hall - Elrond

The Rest Case 2

12 Complete Base Sets
4 Complete 18 Card 'Lonely Mountain' Sets
1 Complete 19 Card Character Biographies Set
2 x Lenticular Cards:
KA-03 Radagast
KA-04 The Council

Autographs Case 3 (Number 262)



A1 Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
A4 William Kircher as Bilfur the Dwarf
A7 Dean O'Gorman as Fili the Dwarf
A8 Aidan Turner as Kili the Dwarf
A11 Jed Brophy asNori the Dwarf
A14 Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins
A16 Manu Bennett as the voice of Azog
A18 Andy Serkis as Gollum
A19 Lee Pace as Thranduil x 2
A21 John Rawls as Yarneg x 2

Sketches Case 3



Carolyn Edwards – Radagast the Brown
Anne Cain - Elrond
Ted Dastick Jr – Galadriel and Gandalf

The Rest Case 3

12 Complete Base Sets
4 Complete 18 Card 'Lonely Mountain' Sets
1 Complete 19 Card Character Biographies Set
2 x Lenticular Cards:
KA-01 Bilbo Baggins
KA-02 The Company of Dwarves

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kevin F,

The inscription says "Love from Erabor"

I have noticed the breakdowns and adam brown ORI
dosent seem to be appearing to much is he a short print card ?

I think so, but not extremely so. Auction selling prices are a bit higher for him than for the other 'usual' dwarves. It looks like there's maybe 25% fewer listings.

I bought a box, and here is the breakdown:

1 base set
6 Lonely Mountain cards: P-02, P-03, P-07, P-11, P-15, P-17
2 Character foil cards: CB-05, CB-14
1 Phillippa Boyens autograph card (unfortunately with a bent corner)

I have seen some one selling an official peter Jackson auto from the hobbit set . I did not know there was one ?

quote:

Originally posted by vampy:
I have seen some one selling an official peter Jackson auto from the hobbit set . I did not know there was one ?

Looks legit . I can find nothing on Cryptozoic's website but the seller is well known and reliable and buys a lot of product so it could be a last minute thing for bulk buyers.

Someone on another forum has contacted Cryptozoic and is waiting for a reply so we shall see what they say.