Bracton wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.:And while a very cool inscription, I really doubt this was the "second" DMG. The box arrived at TSR, and it is opened, and the box goes around and people take copies. Maybe Gary took two. And maybe he picked up a second to bring with him to Cangames 79. And when the guy who runs the convention asks Gary to sign it, saying it is the second DMG, he does so. Because who thinks it might ever matter back in 1979?
Hi Grodog_of_greyhawk:I tried to send a message earlier but it did not go I guess.answers to your questions:There are 232 pages, none have been removed.I am sending a photo of pages 98-99.The story of how I got the guide from Gary and what the inscription "For Jim Lamb, Gatherer of the Mighty Brador" is interesting and if I can put it in this response I'll try.In 1979 our fledgling convention "Cangames" held the May long weekend in Ottawa, Canada, brought in Gary Gygax to talk about D & D.During his panel discussions and stories, he talked about a beer that was produced in Quebec, (across the river from Ottawa) and how he would like to try it. He would give anyone who gets him some a present.As one of the organizers of the Convention, I got into my car and drove to a store in Quebec and picked up a case.While he was talking, I showed him the case in my briefcase. We, the organizers, then went up to his room to play D & D, but ended up talking only.In August I received a package from Gary and was surprised to see this guide was his present. I have treasured it for many years and have shown it at all the Cangames convention I go to. I can it my Holy Relic. I have decided that I would part with it only if I could get something for it. I will of course keep it if it does not meet my minimum.I also have the Players Handbook and Monster Manual from 1979 autographed by Gary and would sell them for the right price.Jim Lamb
Badmike wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.:Anyone want to fess up to buying it? I'll go on record as saying that's a goofball price. Without any letter of provenance, while the story is a cool one and I have no reason to believe Jim is lying, as they years go on this will become more and more suspect and I would advise anyone who asked against buying an item of this sort (kind of like all the autographed ticket stubs by Babe Ruth that keep popping up all the time, long past when anyone living can verify anything). Personally it would be cool as a curio but I wouldn't place value at anything over $1000...at most. There are some top notch, accredited collctibles you can get for this price.....this isn't one.Mike B.
JasonZavoda wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.:Badmike wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.:Anyone want to fess up to buying it? I'll go on record as saying that's a goofball price. Without any letter of provenance, while the story is a cool one and I have no reason to believe Jim is lying, as they years go on this will become more and more suspect and I would advise anyone who asked against buying an item of this sort (kind of like all the autographed ticket stubs by Babe Ruth that keep popping up all the time, long past when anyone living can verify anything). Personally it would be cool as a curio but I wouldn't place value at anything over $1000...at most. There are some top notch, accredited collctibles you can get for this price.....this isn't one.Mike B.I have to disagree, Jim Lamb can write a sworn statement as provenance and his story (which could probably be corroborated) adds to the value. I find this much more of a relic than some anonymous wood-grain regardless of condition. No matter what people say about pulling copies from boxes this will always be the 2nd copy of the DM's guide just because Gygax said it was. Unless someone was at the production line and yanked the first copy, second, etc... then there can really be no way to say which was the first or second copy. It is the second copy Gygax touched and that as well as the cool story and inscription is where the magic and uniqueness is contained. A true artifact.
JasonZavoda wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.: because Gygax said it was
sauromatian wrote in Wow. Unique item on eBay.:THE dungeon master is ALWAYS right.
