First thing that occurrs to me: from Frank's description, that's not a pre-pub, it's an extra. As in all presswork, there are always overruns. For example, 1000 boxes are ordered. 1020 boxes are made, 1010 sets of box labels, 1030 sets of books and Ref sheets (let's assume equal for simplicity). Result is we have 10 extra full sets, 10 sets with no box labels, and 10 sets of books/ref sheets only.

About Battle Royale...

In 1980 I went down to Valparaiso IN to visit with Bob Blake. He and I came up with an AD&D miniatures game, wherein two teams of identical characters start on opposite sides of a large room (blank hex map 22.5" x 29"). Movement was by dexterity; the objective was to find, grab and keep a magic ring that would eventually appear.

During the first round, walls or columns rose up out of the floor, creating terrain (and establishing that any part of the map could change without notice). The Game Master had the round-by-round schedule of changes. Both terrain and magic items would appear, and existing terrain would vanish back into the floor.

We playtested it a few times and I ran it at GenCon South in 1981. We had 2 groups of 12 players each iirc (6 per side). Up for auction is Dave's DM kit from that con. (I still have mine, somewhere in my archives.)

Bob and I and Dave enjoyed the game a lot. It was designed to appeal to wargamers. With identical character teams the tactics became paramount; though 1e rules were used, there was almost no roleplaying per se.

The new company I'm forming (with Mssrs Kask, Ward, and Clark) may publish this as an OGL product, and possibly in two versions, for 1e and 3.5e.

ExTSR wrote:About Battle Royale...
The new company I'm forming (with Mssrs Kask, Ward, and Clark) may publish this as an OGL product, and possibly in two versions, for 1e and 3.5e.

Frank,
This really is an awesome idea. Simple, yet a level of random complexity that is at the heart of all good miniature wargames. You also have the built-in versatility to create several expansions.

I'm sure there were pre-pub sets at some point. They were called mock-ups, and were likely cut/paste jobs made from hand-typed sheets and whatever appropriate size boxes could be found. You'd need something to show prospective producers, like Avalon Hill.

An actual printed set or half-dozen for such a purpose would be prohibitively expensive to make.

Auction won't happen until Nov/Dec

NOTE: Serious direct offers will be considered, but the bulk of the collection will be offered on eBay (seller name ExTSR) in November and December. No PMs please; email ExTSR@aol.com after Nov. 1st.

It would be cool to see it all go up on Ebay

Link to the auction?  What is for sale?

Kingofpain89 wrote:about10664.html

Well, now I know what the kids are getting for Christmas  

Haven't heard much.  Anyone else?

Descriptions & images of the first batch (with the ultras)...
Warning: All images are hi-res, better than eBay can handle.

D&D rule sets

OD&D Brown Box set (1973)

Also includes full set early player & DM sheets, errata sheet, and Greyhawk supplement (1st print). Sheets in VG/Exc condition (!), little or no writing (cue Frankenstein).

The rest in Poor condition; heavily played. Box top naked (no title stickers); tape damage box bottom, ink inside box top; all box parts heavily masking taped with some duct tape. First & third booklets taped, extensive writing throughout. Original graffiti on Greyhawk cover. Entirely delightful and classic.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Boxtop.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Boxbot.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Errata.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... b-ShPl.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... -ShDM1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... -ShDM2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Bk1cvr.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Bk1cat.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... B5-Bk2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... B6-Bk3.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... BB7-GH.jpg

OD&D White Box 6th OCE (1977, #2002)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... DWhite.jpg
Overall Excellent/NM, very bright & crisp, unused. All box corners intact & strong. Booklets sparkling but slight staple rust spots. Book 1 slightly creased cover, others flat-out Mint; standard Ref Sheets NM. Box top notably creased lower; box bottom heavily dinged along one side, minor dirt, generally bright & solid.


Miscellany

Jasmine Card Game (1982)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... asmine.jpg
(Subtitle: The Battle for the Mid-Realm.) Mint/unused, in original plastic case. Autographed numbered 1st ed. by artist/designer Darlene, #45 of 2000. Art cards, based on Jasmine comic in Dragon mag (#37-48 ); 112 cards plus rules booklet, 2-4 players.

Tiffany Crystal Paperweight (1996)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... iffany.jpg
HtF gift for TSR employees; allegedly only 60 made. Mint condition, original box missing.


Small Booklets (aka Digest size)

D&D Book 3, double Autograph
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... A-Sigs.jpg
Underworld & Wilderness Adventures in Exc/NM, extremely bright & crisp, very slight rust lower staple only. Autographs on title page of both co-authors Gygax & Arneson, dated (by DA) 8/98.

Blackmoor 1st (1975)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Bmoor1.jpg
Masking tape along entire spine, ink name and crossed-out name on front cover. Otherwise great shape, 1st printing.

Chainmail 1st, Arneson copy
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... in1-DA.jpg
First printing (1971 Guidon) in G/VG. Return address label topright = David L. Arneson. Condition issues: wavy from old moisture, notable on both covers and much interior (but no spotting, wavy only). Very light wear otherwise, staples NOT rusty (amazingly). No writing inside.

Chainmail, 3rd ed. 4th p. (1977)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Chain3.jpg
Excellent condition, slight scuffing, no writing. Third edition (silver), fourth printing (4/77).

Don't Give Up the Ship, 2nd ed. Revised/Expanded (1975)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /DGUtS.jpg
Excellent overall; no rust, very crisp & bright, no writing. Slight discoloration across spine, dings all 4 corners.

Eldritch Wizardry, 1st (1976)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... EldWiz.jpg
Exc/NM, minimal rust on 1 staple. First printing. Previous owner name inside front cover: Jeff Leason (co-author of "Tamoachan"), a very hard-to-find autograph. (Signature partially obscured in photo to prevent imitation/forgery; original is intact & clean.)

Gods Demi-gods & Heroes, 7th (1976, #2006)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... t/GDH7.jpg
Exc/NM, very light staple rust. 7th printing, very crisp & clean, no writing inside. Supers for D&D.

Greyhawk, 6th (1977)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /Ghawk.jpg
VG/Exc; bright & clean, no writing. 6th printing. Minor corner dings, rust on both staples.

Swords & Spells, 1st (1976)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... nt/SnS.jpg
Exc/NM except for notable rust on staples.

Warriors of Mars (1974) * 2 copies
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /WoM-a.jpg
Best copy (WoM-A): Excellent, bright & clean, no rust. Flaws: notable corner ding topright, very slight bend along front outer edge, lite corner ding botright; long-ago fold mark lower back cover.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /WoM-b.jpg
Second copy (WoM-B): G/VG; no writing. Light cover wear, rust on both staples. Signs of old water marks inside front cover (doesn't show on cover).


AD&D prepubs

Doc's Island original maps (1981)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... ocMaps.jpg
G/VG condition, Hand-drawn maps of the three-level dungeon used to create RPGA module R4 Doc's Island. Ink mapping by Frank Mentzer, pencil mapping by Dave Conant & other players of Frank's Lake Geneva campaign; 3 sheets, 4 pages.

Egg of the Phoenix tournament copy (1981)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... -Tourn.jpg
Exc/NM; Original TSR line printer output, blue ink. *** Continuous pages, unseparated *** All 26 pages of adventure text; no characters or maps. No writing, minor folds in front page.

The "Dwarven" Quest for the Rod of Seven Parts; Three originals from GenCon East II, June 17-19, 1982:

DQR7P part 1, tournament original (1982)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... R7P-r1.jpg
Parts 1a & 1b "Igex Pass / The Fiery Furnace", DM copy, Exc/NM. vintage 1982 photocopy of line print original, with original staple (clean, last page loose) and DM's name topright front page (Conant). Some few minor marks within. Complete original set with all text, all maps, all characters, & RPGA voting sheets for tournament use.

DQR7P part 2, tournament original (1982)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... R7P-r2.jpg
"Thor's Fountain", DM copy, Exc/NM. Vintage 1982 photocopy of line print original, with original staple (clean, last page loose). No marks on cover, some few minor marks within. Complete original set with all text, all maps, all characters, & RPGA voting sheets for tournament use.

DQR7P part 3, tournament original (1982)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... R7P-r3.jpg
"Yog's Dessert", DM copy, VG/Exc. Original TSR line printer output, blue ink. Only 1 map (copy) and no characters, but all 38 pages of text describing full castle setup. Underling and writing on several pages.


AD&D other

Egg of the Phoenix R-3 (RPGA 1982)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... R3egg1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... R3egg2.jpg
Cover & Booklet VG/Exc with edge dirt & edge dings. Autographed on title page, otherwise unmarked.

World of Greyhawk folio, 6th (1980)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... folio1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... folio2.jpg
Typical rough edges, staple rust on booklet, maps good. (Face logo, blue name, 6th printing.)


Minigames

Remember the Alamo minigame (1982, #4001)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... lamoSh.jpg
by Kevin Hendryx; Mint, shrinkwrapped.

Vampyre minigame (1981, #4002)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Vamp-B.jpg
by Philip A. Shreffler; Near-mint, unpunched.

They've Invaded Pleasantville minigame (1981, #4005)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... sant-F.jpg
by Michael Price; Near-Mint, unpunched.

Icebergs minigame (1982, #4007)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... ebergs.jpg
by Tom Wham (Snits Revenge); Mint, shrinkwrapped.

Viking Gods minigame (1982, #4008)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... Viking.jpg
by Allen Hammack (Inverness); Mint, shrinkwrapped.


Boardgames

Divine Right (1979, #1008)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... DivRv1.jpg
Shrinkwrapped mint 1st print boardgame.

Divine Right 25th Anniversary Edition (2002 The Right Stuf)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... DivRv2.jpg
Shrinkwrapped mint. Released on 23rd anniversary.

Iron Horse (Ltd. Ed., 1997)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... ronHor.jpg
Limited edition at Essen Game Fair 1997 (of 80 copies); shrinkwrapped. Train game from Dirk Henn (designer of Alhambra and Wallenstein). Published by db-Spiele; republished by Queen Games as 'Metro' (2000; nom. for Spiel des Jahres, won Mensa Select 2001). Recently repackaged as "San Francisco Cable Car" (2009, Queen).

Knights of Camelot (1980, #1009)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... amelot.jpg
First print (36 pg rules). Box VG, contents NM punched & sorted. Classic from the Rahman bros. (Divine Right); with photocopy of 1982 Dragon article.

Mertwig's Maze (#1038)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... rtMaze.jpg
Shrinkwrapped mint Tom Wham boardgame.

White Bear Red Moon (3rd ed., 1978)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... t/WBRM.jpg
Original ziplock F/G, contents NM/M, bright & clean unpunched. Exactly as purchased from Strategy & Fantasy World King of Prussia PA in 1982, with original paper bag. The classic fantasy wargame from early "CHAOSium".


Hardbacks

Deities & Demigods 1st print  (#2013)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /DDGv1.jpg
Near mint (exceptional) hardback. Slight corner dings (typical). Autographed by both Ward & Kuntz (title page, undated) and by James M Ward 2002 (front flyleaf). With Cthulhu & Melnibone, no "Thanks to Chaosium" note.

Deities & Demigods 2nd print  (#2013)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... /DDGv2.jpg
VG/Exc hardback; scuffing on spine, corner dings. No marks (or autographs) inside, very clean. With Cthulhu & Melnibone, with "Thanks to Chaosium" note.

I, Strahd novel & proof (1993)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... strahd.jpg
By Ms. P.N. Elrod; Subtitle "The Memoirs of a Vampire". Exc 1st printing hardback with dust jacket, fold in front flyleaf. Plus "Uncorrected Proof" copy of same, solidly Near-Mint.

TSR Master Catalog 1993 (#9912)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... alogHB.jpg
Excellent condition hardback; minimal cover scuffs, 2 pieces tape.

Vampire the Masquerade RPG Slipcase edition (1998, WW02299)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h202/ ... mpSlip.jpg
Mint/Shrinkwrapped; Vampire: The Masquerade (Core Book Revised Ed.) and "Art of the Masquerade"; both hardback with silver edges, in slipcase.

See next post for more info.
F