I can understand you, as I had always wanted one and tried to buy one from Tom, but to never hear back from him when I agreed the price, (which makes me wonder, if he is okay). But to be honest man, his price tag of $1,000 is actually pretty good!. He only does the ED1 book though. But for that $1,000, you get an item made by the original creator, great quality prints of the original art etc. The amount of time, and cost of materials just to make one book, doesn't really justify it when one can buy one from Tom for 1,000. I've spent a fortune on plaster, latex, silicone, wood, parchment paper, book binding kits, paper card, paints, silpoxy adhesive,silcpig paints, thickener, Ease Release 200 silicone, brushes etc. I don't live anywhere near places where I can get these items readily, so with the cost of shipping these items, it all does really add up in cost. I've had some casts that the silicone never cured fully, so more silicone test kits had to be bought etc. Then add the amount of time for trial and error etc. Right now... $1,000 dollars seems to me a fair price to be honest for a piece of Tom's work. It's not the first time that I've chosen an endeavour that works out almost as expensive as just purchasing the time. My ******* Chucky, I could have bought 2 of the rare Sideshows from Japan for € 700 a piece!.
It's all relative though. If someone has the materials lying around, or some of them, it's worth giving a shot. Starting from scratch in hindsight.. I'd much prefer just to buy Tom's!