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Lake Geneva Hobby Shops
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Skullhammer
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Post Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:20 am 
 

While cross referencing part of my collection with TSR catalogs, I thought I'd ask the experts about a couple questions I have.  

As a guy who has never been to Lake Geneva, I'm curious about the Dungeon Hobby Shop and the TSR Mail Order Hobby Shop.  Were they the same set of shops or were they independent from each other?  If they were independent, was the Dungeon Hobby Shop, TSR's brick-and-mortar storefront while the TSR Mail-Order Hobby Shop was exclusively accessible via telephone/mail?

Also, does anybody know of a legitimate site where I can purchase/download scans of past TSR, TSR Mail-Order Hobby Shop, and Dungeon Hobby Shop catalogs?  

Thanks :)!

-Skull
  

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ExTSR
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Post Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 9:09 am 
 

TSR's "Dungeon Hobby Shop" was the retail outlet for TSR for several years, located in the first floor of the old hotel in downtown Lake Geneva. (Gaming & storage downstairs.)

Since TSR was a publisher, the DHS catalog was printed, and several years' versions are available.

In 1984, the new "Mail Order Hobby Shop" was christened, a branch of the shop. Ernie Gygax was in charge of it and other Consumer Services (including GenCon and RPGA). The first official MOHS catalog was mailed out, with new b&w art by Easley (a 3-headed dragon with rider, also used as Print #1 in the RPGA Art Portfolio).

F


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Skullhammer
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Post Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:14 pm 
 

That definitely connected some dots for me, thank you!
  

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Skullhammer
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Post Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 3:27 pm 
 

Out of curiosity ... could anybody tell me the years when the Dungeon Hobby Shop officially opened and the ultimately closed its doors?  Also, I'm curious as to when the TSR Mail Order Hobby Shop officially closed its doors (I've seen a catalog for 1995, but I can't find anything later than that).  Thanks :).
  
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