AD&D 1e Reprint Thread

[T. Foster]

I just ordered mine via Noble Knight. They should ship out this afternoon.

That might be the way to go. Small discount off MSRP and they package their stuff carefully enough (not Black Blade level, but still pretty good) that I won't need to worry about them showing up damaged. I'd still like to be able to actually peruse a physical copy before committing to the purchase, though :/

[Chainsaw]

Picking mine up today after work (I think). I'll post a bunch of original vs reprint pics this evening.

[Terrex]

I received a call from Games-Plus (Chicagoland's oldest and biggest rpg/board&wargames/minatures store) letting me know my PHB, DMG, and MM are ready for pick up. I put my name on the list months ago and was about to call and check in, but they beat me to it. I don't live very close to the store anymore, but one of my players does. So, I'll probably have them in my hands at our next game. My group never played any edition after AD&D 1e and what TSR/WOTC/Hasbro does has been irrelevant to us for decades. Still, it is very nice to see AD&D in print and I decided to "vote with my dollars" on this one.

[Geoffrey]

I'd still like to be able to actually peruse a physical copy before committing to the purchase, though :/

This illustrates why I think it unfortunate that WotC decided to shrink-wrap these books.

[T. Foster]

I'd still like to be able to actually peruse a physical copy before committing to the purchase, though :/

This illustrates why I think it unfortunate that WotC decided to shrink-wrap these books.

The books are being sold shrink-wrapped? Lame! (Of course, if B&N were stocking them, that shrink would be off at least one copy within about 5 minutes...)

[TRP]

[T. Foster]

Damnit, I want these so badly! Shiny new/old things I must own!!!!!

[T. Foster]

I wonder if maybe WotC is selling them shrinkwrapped because of the "adult content" that is the boobie-laden artwork

[MageInBlack]

I wonder if maybe WotC is selling them shrinkwrapped because of the "adult content" that is the boobie-laden artwork

Just thinking ahead. One day, WotC will probably lose these in a huge warehouse like at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. If some geeks find them 30 years from now, they will still be "fresh" (yellow and blue make green). It is almost like a time capsule, where future generations will be able to see how smart the game once was since they will be stuck with D&D 75th Edition.

[JRT]

I think they are sealed like CDs or DVDs--each book has some kind of insert with a seal for the Gygax Memorial Fund--it was probably kept separate in case they wanted to go back to the printer for a second run, which probably would not be donated after the first printing.

There's a picture on the Memorial Fund website that shows how they look sealed on a retailer shelf:

http://www.gygaxmemorialfund.com/index. ... fo#premium

I'll directly add the image as well.



The Shrinkwrap, as well as the glossy paper, does make this item a little more likely to be preserved as collector's items for those that worry about those things.

[Falconer]

I got the PHB. I’m very happy with it. They were the buzz at Games Plus. People are astonished these books are so thin. (They are thinner than the originals—just tight new binding?) The interior art looks fantastic. The text looks SLIIIGHTLY more crowded than the originals for some reason, but it’s overall a very, very faithful reprint. The covers are pleasant.

[T. Foster]

The new glossy paper is probably thinner than the paper used in the originals.

[JRT]

Agreed, paper used to be thicker in the old days--even adding gloss they must have found a way to shrink paper while keeping its stability over the years.

The text might be slightly more crowded because of the way the kerning works--they probably couldn't reproduce all the little quirks of the original print shops.

Glad to hear it looks good. I ordered through my online comic publisher so I won't have them for another week or two.

[TRP]

The interior art looks fantastic.

The images are very dark. The blacks are a little too black, and so some detail is lost. Still they did a darn good nonetheless.

The shimmer effect on the covers art is groovy. The efreet on the DMG is terrific. I only wish Miss America's shiny metal bra was included.

[Chainsaw]

Here are a few shots. Overall, I don't disagree with any of the comments above. Compared with the originals, the paper inside has a modest gloss (doesn't seem like a big deal) and is slightly thinner and the ink is darker, but I think they did a pretty good job under the circumstances. Plus, I think the covers came out very well. I was afraid the faux leather look would be cheap, but it actually looks pretty classy (even the shimmer effects). I'm pretty happy with them.

Note: The interior comparison shots have the reprints on the left, the originals on the right. This is a little confusing vs the external shots, but oh well. It's getting late and I'm not doing it over again.