Treasured Surviving Relics

Greyhawk , published in 1975 as Supplement I for the original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set, was the first official expansion ever released for a role-playing game. While its rules fundamentally changed Dungeons & Dragons, the booklet also went through numerous printings during its production life, making it one of the more interesting titles for collectors. This guide concentrates solely on identifying the various printings. If you're interested in the history and significance of the supplement itself, see my companion article Greyhawk (1975): The Supplement That Changed Dungeons & Dragons . At a Glance Title: Greyhawk (Supplement I) Publisher: Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) First Published: February 1975 Designer: Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz Original Format: Saddle-stitched booklet Collectability: ★★★★★ First Printing (February 1975) First Printing (GK Logo) The true first printing is the rarest version of Greyhawk and one of ...

Greyhawk, Supplement I (First Printing, 1975) When Dungeons & Dragons appeared in January 1974 it introduced an entirely new way to play games. Players were no longer commanding armies across battlefields—they were stepping into the boots of individual adventurers, exploring mysterious dungeons and creating stories together around the table. Yet the original boxed set was only the beginning. Within months, enthusiastic players had begun pushing beyond the limits of the three little brown books. They wanted tougher monsters, more powerful magic, greater character variety and richer adventures. Rather than seeing these demands as problems, TSR embraced them. The result was Greyhawk , published in early 1975 as Supplement I , the first official expansion for Dungeons & Dragons . Greyhawk did far more than add extra rules. It transformed Dungeons & Dragons into something much closer to the game we recognise today. The Greyhawk Campaign The supplemen...

Collector's Guide to the Original Dungeons & Dragons Boxed Set (1974–1979) First published in 1974, the original boxed edition of Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most important and collectible games ever produced. This guide helps identify the principal printings using box artwork, booklet variations, printer information, Tolkien references and other distinguishing features. Retain all of the original photographs from the historical article in their existing order. Box Cover from the First Printing (1974) Identifying Your Copy Printing Date Box Key Identifier Tolkien Terms Rarity First Alpha Jan 1974 Woodgrain Horizontal woodgrain Present ★★★★★ First Beta Mid 1974 Woodgrain Errata sheet Present ★★★★★ First Gamma Late 1974/75 Woodgrain Leftover components Present ★★★★★ Second Jan 1975 Woodgrai...

Box Cover from the First Printing (1974) Few games have had the cultural impact of Dungeons & Dragons . Published in January 1974 by the newly formed Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), this modest boxed set did far more than introduce a new game—it created an entirely new form of entertainment. From modern tabletop role-playing games and computer RPGs to fantasy novels, films and online gaming, the influence of those three little brown booklets continues to shape popular culture more than fifty years later. Today the original boxed set has become one of the most sought-after artefacts in gaming history. Early woodgrain editions regularly command thousands at auction, but their true value lies in what they represent: the birth of the role-playing hobby. From Chainmail to Dungeons & Dragons The origins of Dungeons & Dragons lie in the growing popularity of miniature wargaming during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Players recreated historical battles using...

Many fantasy readers know the names of Tolkien, C. S. Lewis and Gary Gygax, yet comparatively few have heard of the work that inspired so much of what followed. The Kalevala , Finland's national epic, preserves ancient oral traditions whose influence can still be felt throughout modern fantasy literature and role-playing games. Compiled by Elias Lönnrot and published in 1849, the epic weaves together heroic adventures, magic, monsters, tragic love stories and the mysterious Sampo into one of Europe's greatest mythological works. Principal Characters Character Role Why They Matter Väinämöinen Ancient bard and sage Wise hero whose songs possess magical power. Ilmarinen Master smith Creator of the legendary Sampo. Lemminkäinen Warrior Hero whose death and restoration form one of the epic's great episodes. Louhi Mistress of Pohjola Powerful sorceress and guardian of the Sampo. Joukahainen Rival Challenges Väinämöinen in the famous singing contest. The Great S...