So I had posted this on a dmg thread here at one point but was thinking of selling and wanted to get input in regards to listing as a 1st print.  Maybe I can link to that thread?  The consensus had leaned towards it being a 1st print if I remember correctly.  Basically it seems to meet all the criteria save the “D” isn't running off the top of the cover.  Just want to see what the hivemind thinks, I don't want to mislead anyone if I list it.   Thanks for taking a look
Ou ps its 232 pgs.

I have a 1st print with the same features: every detail but the "D" are pointing out a 1st print!
Ages back I asked advice here and Badmike (iirc) confirmed it as a 1st print. If you want to learn how he did, he told me that only 1st prints have the heel of the wizard on the cover covered by the TSR wizard logo.
Hope it helps!

Malygris wrote in DMG 1st print?:Heres the link to that thread with some giantass pictures I posted :D

Essay on New DMG 1st Print

Thanks gents heres a side by side comparison shot with another 1st print I used to own.  Looks like the wizard on the heel matches pretty good.

Spot on!
Perfect!

Variations in the positioning of the cover’s printed design are typically considered differences within a print run, rather than a separate printing.

This issue occurred during the process of laminating the printed cover sheet to the book board (a step in the casing-in process). If the sheet isn’t properly aligned, the resulting cover will be offset or crooked. This particular copy was likely produced either at the beginning of the run, when the machinery was first set up, or later, when a misalignment issue was detected and corrected.  Whatever the case, it was the exception, since most appear to have the offset issue.

It’s interesting that these copies were still sold, but it’s possible someone made the call to release all but the most visibly flawed ones. It’s also possible that little to no quality control checks were performed at the time...

dbartman wrote in DMG 1st print?:Variations in the positioning of the cover’s printed design are typically considered differences within a print run, rather than a separate printing.

This issue occurred during the process of laminating the printed cover sheet to the book board (a step in the casing-in process). If the sheet isn’t properly aligned, the resulting cover will be offset or crooked. This particular copy was likely produced either at the beginning of the run, when the machinery was first set up, or later, when a misalignment issue was detected and corrected.  Whatever the case, it was the exception, since most appear to have the offset issue.

It’s interesting that these copies were still sold, but it’s possible someone made the call to release all but the most visibly flawed ones. It’s also possible that little to no quality control checks were performed at the time...

When looking at the whole image though, doesn't it seem like the book board is a different length (longer or taller) than the one in the photo on the right? And that it's not completely an alignment issue, even when you compare the left and bottom of the books to each other? Is it possible during the print runs, there were variations in the book boards?

dbartman wrote in DMG 1st print?:It’s possible, but not as likely, since variations in board dimensions are usually easier to control and catch during production. The more probable cause is misalignment of the cover sheets during lamination. If the alignment jigs were loose or set to the wrong offset, whether for the boards or the covers, it could result in the covers being inconsistent or shifted. And since the misalignment varies noticeably, it’s likely that one of the jigs wasn’t properly secured for part of the print run.

thanks for the info. I'll have to dig out my 1st prints as well and compare. I know I have at least one where the letters aren't running off but I don't think I ever measured the total length and width of each book.
I have a 2nd Alpha as well that I should compare against, too :)