Hi all,

I've loved building a relatively small collection including a fair bit of Forgotten Realms stuff.

Mainly i have about 8-9 first ed modules, some compilations (Drow, Temple of Ele Evil), a 5th print OD&D whitebox, and then all my own 2nd ed onwards gear. Then some ancilliary gear (heap of forgotten realms stuff, almost every ravenloft related piece)

My question: whats a good structured way to progress from here? I really like collecting, the hunt etc. But as I read more and think more I get a bit overwhelmed.

My feeling is I'd like to collect more modules & the old core rulebooks. But also: although this isnt about 'investing' I dont want to spend 10-15 bucks at a time on proceedurally buying all the 2nd/3rd tier modules. My feeling is they will not do anything value-wise and I have no love for random modules (young kids/time constraints stop me from appreciating them/reading them ATM).

I plan to keep going on original/1st ed stuff like Blackmoor through a 1st print DMG 1st ed // 144pg fiend folio. Beyond that, could you help with some manageable goal setting - give me a manageable ebay-ing task.

Just as good - would be anything on your own approach that I could learn from,

If it matters, I'm based in the UK!

Thanks for reading,

First, everyone is different. Some are completionists collecting everything TSR related. Clearly not you. Others collect what they have played as a kid. They recall the art, experience etc and pursue the relic. Also, apparently, not you. Since you are asking what to collect, I will say collect condition - mint and not even close to mint.

Collect mint, care for it and display it as an example of the genre. Also, collect play copies. You, someone you know, etc will want to use or handle the stuff - even borrow it. There is no joy, in someone with a passing interest, handling a uncommonly nice copy of something.

Until somewhat recently I just bought copies of stuff if the price was right. I enjoyed having a growing collection - hoarding.

If you begin to lean into value, its all about condition. Mint seems like it will continue to go up in price as a common copies pour onto ebay. I counted 20+ first edition Monster Manuals on ebay once, maybe 18 months ago. Now its close to 60+. You could almost always find a nice copy then. Its getting harder.

shadeun wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:My question: whats a good structured way to progress from here? I really like collecting, the hunt etc. But as I read more and think more I get a bit overwhelmed.

Welcome!  You've come to the right place.  You'll learn about stuff you never knew you wanted!

There are really two main guidelines you need to consider as you collect.  First, collect what you want and like.  Make your own goals.  Realize that your goals will change/evolve over time, and that's normal.  I've changed my goals several times over the years.  

Second, you definitely need to keep in mind is that collecting should be secondary to living expenses.  There have been people who buy too much stuff, have a health issue, or car issue, or house fire, then are forced to sell most of their collection to pay bills.  Not good.

Since you are just starting to build your collection, definitely look for someone unloading their whole collection.  The main benefit is that sales like this usually result in great prices overall.  Buying in bulk also saves on shipping costs.  Large collections often have stuff you normally wouldn't buy, but you can see if you like it.  If you don't like something, sell the stuff you don't want back on eBay or wherever.  As was mentioned, Craigslist sometimes offers deals like this but they are far and few between.  You'll have to be patient.

Good luck!  

shadeun wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:And, to reiterate, if anyone thinks 'i love this 1st ed module you should get it' please reply! As my gaming started around 1994, I have played 2nd ed onwards.

Here's a good place to start, although you'll notice this crowd leans heavily towards OD&D and 1st Edition:

Re: The Official Acaeum Top 30 adventures of all time

shadeun wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:
My question: whats a good structured way to progress from here? I really like collecting, the hunt etc. But as I read more and think more I get a bit overwhelmed.

,

Take care of living expenses/rent first (can't enjoy the collection if you are not alive or have nowhere to store it).

Get what you feel you might enjoy or have played before and enjoy.

If you feel that you want something that you feel is a limited edition or short print run of something, get it at a price you want to pay (I SERIOUSLY REGRET not picking up a copy of the 5E Volo's Guide to Monsters when it came out - it's currently going for 5x retail).

If you know you are going to put something into storage, do it the right way. Bags and boards go a long way to maintain crispness. I find the 66 quart bins from Rubbermaid (I get mine at Target) hold magazines and hardcovers equally well, but tend to get heavy when full. You can fit a bunch of years worth of mags in those bins, and you can separate by year(s) if you use magazine files inside the bins - just make sure they are not too tall (or cut them to fit). I also put silica gel packs into my bins. See the Storage Materials Section of the site here.

If you want to have something collectible but also want to play it - get yourself a second (play) copy at a much lower price. My Shackled City hardcover has grease/finger marks on some pages (I'm a mechanic).

Don't worry about collecting everything at once. Your collection will grow over time (Those bins I mentioned? - I have 12 of them filled with hardbacks and mags - all my modules are stuffed into a footlocker. And another bin full of miniatures).

And make yourself a database, so you can track your expenses and avoid duplicate purchases. Google Docs is a free app.

Plaag wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:
I'd second this.  I use Excel to keep track of my books and even some toy lines.

ShaneG.

Me too. Mine is 22 sheets. Has spaces for purchase and rec'd dates, purchased from, ISBN numbers (and a whole lot of other Acaeum essential data). Along with pics in a comment cell on the Description.

What does yours look like?

jkason wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:

If you really want an "I love this setting" recommendation -

Kingdoms of Kalamar. Not just the 3E/3.5E stuff. They have some older (i.e., Second Edition) stuff. Do a search for "kalamar quests" or "Kenzerco") on ebay.
Check out the gallery of stuff on the wiki here.

Oooh tasty. Thanks.

Plaag wrote in Request: Advice on Progression of Collection:I'd second this.  I use Excel to keep track of my books and even some toy lines.

On your idea, I've set up a scrape/link for the prices page into python/pandas and can keep values live & track collection. Very nice!

I started with the hard cover books. These are great because they are the core books to the game, aren't voluminous, most arent particularly rare, and they look great on a shelf. For an additional challenge try to get them all in 1st print.

Collecting modules is fairly straight forward and the best way to get a quick start is by buying collections rather than singles. You'll wind up with doubles that you can sell or trade which is another fun way to have fun with collecting.

Double post.... arrrgghhh...