I actually bought it today :)

The store I work at only got in one, so I had it put aside for me after our store opened.

That's what I'm guessing. Though does the whole "I own the Salo Criterion (Original)" hold as much bragging rights as it did before? I know Ebay is flooded with bootlegs, but it's odd to be searching for that movie and not see there is another version for sale.

PopcornTreeCT, a couple weeks ago my girlfriend came across Criterion copies of "The Killer" and "Hard Boiled". They were packed in a custom metal case I remember being for sale online somewhere (a LONG time ago). The local record store it was at was asking for $100 and I believe a note said the booklet was signed by John Woo. Probably gone by now.

What is this "Store" of which you speak?

Was it a metal case designed by Paul Champagne? That sounds pretty cool, especially being signed by John Woo. I thought when the new Dragon Dynasty DVD of The Killer came out it would send the prices down. Sadly that was not to be.

On the topic of Salo, I just finished watching it. Um...graphically it was pretty much what I figured it would be, maybe a little less so, in fact. In the booklet, there are various filmmakers or critics offering their opinions on the film. Catherine Breillat is one of them gushing about the film. Whom I didn't find all too surprising as her films use a "shock factor" like a crutch. And while I think Salo is more than just an exercise in exploitation, I don't think it is deserving of the title of "masterpiece" or even one of Pasolini's greatest works.

Criterion Blog on the missing scene included in the BFI print.