Mars wrote:I think I know the ones you mean. They remind me of a dimpled texture almost like a golf ball for some reason. Like this one:
** expired/removed eBay auction **
I have a couple of them as well.
But the ones like this Complete Wizard and Of Ships and the Sea that came after the one you mention are utter crap. Finding these cardstock cover editions in excellent shape is a real rarity.
There are at least 3 distinct types of material used for these books:
1) plasticy faux leather type look (1989-1995)
2) pebbly / dimpled golf ball type book (1995-1996)
3) cardstock granite type look (1996-1999)
Format 2) may be better than 1) with the binding problems solved. But 3) is by far the worst of the lot.
aha, yes, the official name of "pebbly/dimped golf ball type book" are the ones I am speaking of. These are by far the best, it's not surprising that
WOTC went to the cheapo cardstock after they took over, they are undoubtedly cheaper to print. Not every version went back to #3, though; for example, "Sages and Specialists" I believe is only found in version #2, mostly because it such a useless book I don't believe they ever reprinted it.
I don't envy the eventual chroniclers of 2E; for some items, there are dozens of printings, each a tiny bit different.
Mike B.
