Hello all,

I stumbled across this website and forum yesterday, as I was trying to research what printing my friends DMG was. After looking at the main descriptions on this site, I am figuring it is a 6th or possibly 7th printing.

I have already purchased the DMG, PHB, and MM premium edition reprints from WOTC, and have decided I would like to continue my collection by trying to find 1st print editions of these three books.

However, I am discovering this may be difficult to do using the pics on e-bay listings and such.

The MM seems easy enough to discern, based on the red print at the top of the cover. Centered, red-lettered "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" at the top, with "TM Reg Applied For" in small red letters under that. As far as I can figure, the first printing is the only version of the MM with that at the top. Is that correct?

The PHB is a bit harder to determine, and I think I will need to see pics of the inside to decipher exactly what printing the copy is. The front cover, according to this website, states "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" is centered on the cover top, with "Players Handbook" (in white lettering) towards the bottom. Additionally, the endpapers and flyleaves are white, where as the second printing has orange endpapers and flyleaves, with no other changes. Is that correct?

The DMG, however, I am at bit of a loss on.  I know to look for the Wizard logo, and look to see that the "ADVANCED D&D" in the angled yellow banner is too large, and the "D" of "ADVANCED" partially runs off the cover. In fact, I think the first print run is the only one where the AD&D yellow banner is too large and appears as such. Is that correct?

Any help, or tips in keeping myself from being ripped off (either accidentally or intentionally) , and I say accidentally as most people wouldn't know a 1st print from a 6th print such as my friend. He sincerely believed his copy was the first print based solely on the cover art and lack of knowledge. In fact, after reading up on this web site, I started scouring e-bay and saw a LOT of listings that read "first print" and were clearly not first print editions based on a quick glance at the cover.  

Next, I plan to get the Unearthed Arcana reprint, along with Dungeons of Dread and Against the Slave Lords. After getting those, I will try to track down 1st printings of Unearthed Arcana, and the different modules contained in the reprint collections. To keep my sanity, however, I think I will begin with these 3 core books.  


Thanks,

-Dave

Thanks ifearyeti.

Well, I was just scouring e-bay again, and I found what I believe are truly 1st printings of these 3 books, but I am not sure of what the value of these are. Any ideas of price ranges I should be looking at? Are one of these more rare than the other two?

I don't really have much money, so overpaying, or accidentally getting the wrong printing is something I cannot afford to do.  

I just think it would be cool to have some history in my hands/collection.  

aia wrote in 1E Core Rulebook Experts...Please Help a N00b. :0):Iirc i should have a a spare copy of the DMG 1st print. Let me check and in case i will drop you a pm.
Ciaooo

That would be great. Please let me know.  

painted_klown wrote in 1E Core Rulebook Experts...Please Help a N00b. :0):The DMG, however, I am at bit of a loss on.  I know to look for the Wizard logo, and look to see that the "ADVANCED D&D" in the angled yellow banner is too large, and the "D" of "ADVANCED" partially runs off the cover. In fact, I think the first print run is the only one where the AD&D yellow banner is too large and appears as such. Is that correct?

There is a later printing with misaligned banner text, but it is identifiable by the face logo rather than the wizard logo.

Another thing to look for is the position of the wizard logo, relative to the foot of a figure in the main illustration. On a 1st print, the logo partially covers the foot. On later printings, the logo is above the foot.

Here is the only example I see on eBay right now:

** expired/removed eBay auction **

All three are available in the giant list of items I have for sale right now.  See the classifieds and/or PM me!

Scour used bookstores.  I stumbled upon all three in a favorite local used bookshop for $5 each ($2.50 because I had store credit).  The DMG and MM were in very good condition, only the PHB is a bit beaten up.