Hey, Bob has been doing it for quite some time! And imagine that the first editions plus the vinyl edition become collectibles once they are deleted, so the company has raised the original price, calculating that the fans will buy anything at all. (And of course there are some vultures that have money and buy many copies to sell them latter on. )That is why a famous but not so commercial artist has so many editions. Alanis used to be commercial but not lately, so she too, is mining her fan base.
Of course there are other types of record companies, like Constellation records. They are a small Canadian label, that has released several fantastic records, like Godspeed you black emperor, A Silver MT Zion, etc. They never let their records become deleted and out of print, so the object that is the CD or vinyl, has a standard price and can be obtained at all times from the label. They don't put out expanded limited deluxe numbered editions, because they respect their fans and since all their releases are extremely good from a designer's point of view, it is a pleasure to have both the medium and the music, so people usually buy and do not download. Especially when they know the effort of that company and try to support it.
I know that most people here have different musical directions, but some of you will probably be mesmerized by some of these groups. I know I am. I have seen Godspeed live and they were thrilling! Three guitarists, two drummers and various string instruments!
Maybe Mark should consider releasing them on his own label and use the company (Universal isn't it?) to distribute the ready record. It is tough business, but others less successful have done it.
