It's going to be interesting to see... • Page 2 • Collecting General • The Acaeum

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

It's going to be interesting to see...
	Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2

Author

stratochamp
Sage Collector

Posts: 2024
Joined: Feb 12, 2005
Last Visit: Jul 04, 2026

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:51 pm

well i just went and checked, yes the Blume box does have F115-R. i "gently" shook it (aghhhh!) and yes there is a bag of something (presumably dice) in there other than the books that was sliding the length of the box. but no, i'm still not taking the shrink off to check.....

i also have a 2nd print Holmes in the shrink, so there are some out there, but i have to wonder how many of them are rewrap jobs. it is nice to have the verifiable Blume original to compare others with.

Shrink is not a condition

bombadil
Long-Winded Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 3807
Joined: Feb 23, 2005
Last Visit: Feb 12, 2025

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:41 am

The Holmes Basic was one of the more interesting results in these auctions, along with the Upper Works set, and the Haunted Lighthouse.

Let mirth prevail!

smarmy1
Prolific Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 916
Joined: Apr 16, 2007
Last Visit: Aug 06, 2026
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:29 pm

stratochamp wrote:well i just went and checked, yes the Blume box does have F115-R. i "gently" shook it (aghhhh!) and yes there is a bag of something (presumably dice) in there other than the books that was sliding the length of the box. but no, i'm still not taking the shrink off to check.....

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Hello Mrs. Cleaver, Theodore.

Gee, Mrs. Cleaver ... That certainly is a lovely dress.

stylean
Prolific Collector

Posts: 263
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
Last Visit: Feb 28, 2026

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:41 pm

bombadil wrote:The Holmes Basic was one of the more interesting results in these auctions, along with the Upper Works set, and the Haunted Lighthouse.

The Upper Works box seemed kinda on par, maybe a little high for its condition. Definately there is some randomness or range associated with the higher end stuff. I got a much better condition set for like $160 (someone here sold I believe, as I recall seeing some complaint about the 'lowness' of the price). I even contribute to it. Paul had a couple more of the Holmes sets in shrink, to which I am not proud to say, suckered myself into owning one, thanks second chance offers.

bombadil
Long-Winded Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 3807
Joined: Feb 23, 2005
Last Visit: Feb 12, 2025

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:00 pm

In this auction? Paul had multiple shrink wrapped Holmes sets for 2nd chance offers in this auction?

Let mirth prevail!

Zenopus
Verbose Collector

Posts: 1709
Joined: Sep 03, 2003
Last Visit: Feb 24, 2026
Location: Portown

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:47 pm

stratochamp wrote:well i just went and checked, yes the Blume box does have F115-R. i "gently" shook it (aghhhh!) and yes there is a bag of something (presumably dice) in there other than the books that was sliding the length of the box. but no, i'm still not taking the shrink off to check.....

Thanks for the verification of the code, and the "thing in the box" (dice or .....?

).

When I said "putative true 1st" I wasn't questioning whether it was a 1st print - I assumed that was verified. What I meant is that your copy has a blank box bottom, as opposed to the Acaeum listing for a 1st print, which has printed picture box. IIRC, TSR boxed sets with blank bottoms generally preceded printed bottoms, hence it's possible yours is a "true 1st". A few other copies like yours have been spotted.

Zenopus Archives website & blog: Exploring the Underworld of Holmes Basic D&D. Holmes Ref: Reference Sheets for Holmes Basic Referees, also compatible with OD&D plus the Greyhawk supplement

Zenopus
Verbose Collector

Posts: 1709
Joined: Sep 03, 2003
Last Visit: Feb 24, 2026
Location: Portown

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:52 pm

Zenopus wrote:
Paul's copy for sale is not a first print Holmes Basic Set. The cover shows Wizard Logo and he describes it as 7th print in the listing:

** expired/removed eBay auction **

So, for the record, Paul's latest copy sold $315, making it the third highest Holmes set price in the records I have:

1) SW 1st print (F115-R code, Lizard Logo) owned by Brian Blume - ~$500 - GenCon 2009 - has a blank box bottom (could be a "true 1st").
2) SW 3rd print (Lizard Logo) - owned by Gygax - $331.05 - Jun 2011
3) SW 7th? print (Wizard Logo) - Collector's Trove personal auction - $315 - Mar 2012
4) SW 4th+ print (Wizard Logo, 1979) owned by Gygax - $308.25 - Mar 2011

I noticed a discrepancy in Paul's listing. Twice it lists a 1978 date, but then it says "This is a 7th print, known as a Holmes Basic Set from around 1979". Cut and paste error from a previous auction? Anyway, I hope the buyer noticed this before bidding.

Zenopus Archives website & blog: Exploring the Underworld of Holmes Basic D&D. Holmes Ref: Reference Sheets for Holmes Basic Referees, also compatible with OD&D plus the Greyhawk supplement

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2