The pictures in this post are some of the boxes I have in the book case in my office, I looked over, and felt as if something needed to be said on this subject.
I see them pretty often out in the wild, those boxed sets of typically three books together, looking pretty damn cool. Normally, you can get them for cheap. More and more rare at the paperback exchanges that I go to, one time I was event told they are removed from the box and the box trashed.
The short answer is no, they are typically not worth more money with the box included. I'll explain: By the time the third book is in print in the box set you are going to buy, the first and second books are reprints. If your getting a first edition paperback, the only hope you have is that the third book is a first edition, and what third book in a series, let alone a paperback is worth anything?
The long answer is.. maybe. Perhaps people are looking for that really old Lord of the Rings trilogy with the faux gold leaf that they made millions of in the 70's and 80's. People go nuts for LotR stuff, which may drive up the price a couple of bucks, but nothing significant.
My personal opinion? Pick 'em up. Who knows? Does it look cool to you? Is it a different cover variant that you don't have? Is it a bargain? I'm all in when I see the box sets, they look awesome on the shelves, and they are almost always a popular book series, which justified the box. Sometimes there is old coupons or advertisements in the box sets that are pretty cool. Someone asked me once, "What's the most common box set you come across?" I've seen more "Time of the Twins" Dragonlance Trilogy books in different box sets than I care to admit. I cruise by the Fantasy/Sci-Fi section at Barnes and Noble and there is always one there. In two or three years it will be the ever popular Game of Thrones sets at garage sales and swap meets.
