Arduin, Again

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:21 pm

So, anyone know what address was used for Grimoire Games first? Either the San Diego one, or that of Berkeley? I've got some confusing copies of books and I'm trying to sort them out. I have a pretty good list of differences in the printings, but I'm seeing stuff that wasn't covered and what is covered is not enough. Sad

Thanks.

Posts: 2338 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:27 am

This is a bit of an interesting question. In most of the Arduin Books, there are 2 address (or locations anyway). The first is the location of David Hargrave and the second is for Grimoire Games.

In 1977, Hargrave seemed to be in Richmod, CA and in the early prints there is no mention of Grimoire Games. This includes the first 2 printings of Arduin Grimoire with the Erol Otus covers.

In 1978, the Hargrave address seems to have changed to Concord, CA.

For Grimoire Games, their first address looks like Berkeley then they added an alternate ordering address for International Gamers Assoc in Long Beach, then El Cajun and El Cajun with a second address in San Fransisco.

I haven't seen one with a San Diego address. Which one has this?

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:51 am

That's the thing. At first, I thought it was a pre-Arduin Trilogy printing, but it appears that is not true, but I now have a copy of each of the first three Arduin books listing a San Diego address - they appear to be mostly identical to the Arduin Trilogy (from the box set) books except for the address and a few other details (layout is slightly different on final page, for example.) The color of the books is very light, though, and definitely noticeably different than any of the other Arduin books I have, but consistent with each other. My thought is these are a post-Arduin Trilogy set, but I don't know if they are just a variant printing of the box set (with no box) or what.

I'll get a scan of the address (it is the same in each of the three books) as soon as I can.

And, here it is:

[Edit]

Of course, now taking an actual reading, it would seem the San Diego address is post-Trilogy, as the books in the box (assuming I have the correct ones) are at the Berkeley address and that the reference to the non-box books are the ones purchasable separately, hence the variance.

Posts: 2338 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 12:10 pm

That's very interesting. I wish there was more info on Arduin stuff and I'm happy to try and work out some with you. I think that the San Diego address must come after Berkeley and after El Cajon.

Here's my El Cajon catalog page:

There are a couple of good markers in comparing this catalog page with your San Diego one. First, look at the cost of items. Usually prices only go up with later printings. El Cajon has the Arduin Trilogy at $21.95 and the San Diego has it raised to $24.95. Second, the "prices are effective" until dates give this one away. El Cajon prices are effective January 1, 1985 and San Diego is effective November 1, 1986. So I think it is fairly conclusive to say San Diego is after Berkeley and after El Cajon.

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 12:22 pm

Yes, you're quite right. The San Diego address print has to be a later one than the others. Arduin is like Judges Guild - minor differences here and there that distinguish the print variations. An Arduin subweb would be awesome. Smile

Posts: 2338 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 1:05 pm

The product list in your San Diego book is interesting too. It updates that Lost Grimoire was moved to Dragon Tree press so it is no longer listed and also Caliban and Citadel of Thunder are also no longer available so they might have been sold out by then. It could also mean that these 2 had smaller print runs? Anyone notice if these 2 are harder to find.

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 1:34 pm

While not a completely reliable source, Wikipedia mentions that Caliban went out of print in 1986 (the year of the San Diego print), and was not re-released until 2002, when Emperor's Choice reprinted it. If this is true, it would indicate that, at least for Caliban, it was sold out and DTP either did not reprint it, or it was not part of their agreement to do so. Caliban does have a history of being moderately expensive (average of around $60) for a non EmpCho print, so I would assume it is either somewhat rare (uncommon perhaps) or just something people like spending to get. I, personally, don't have one (still trying to get all the Grimoires before I tackle the Dungeons.)

Posts: 2338 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 2:48 pm

I don't have any of the Dungeons either but I think they were all Grimoire Games. A quick look at what is up on Ebay also shows that some of them had more than 1 printing as well. I think DTP only ever did the Grimoires 4 and above. The catalog I posted lists The Lost Grimoire (vol 4) as being available through Grimoire Games but I have not seen this version and don't know if such a thing exists (with no mention of DTP). I have two editions by DTP.

Posts: 4716 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:28 pm

I've never seen Caliban go that high. I think the highest I have ever seen is $20 or so.

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 11:43 pm

Well, that would have been almost a decade ago, when the price was higher than now. But, some places, like Noble Knight, still list the Emperor Choice version at nearly $20. eBay, in my opinion, is not a measure of value, as it's always a random crap shoot. It may be good to see how often something comes up (relative rarity) but I refuse to use it as a baseline of worth. That's me, though.

That said, I still don't have one. Do you, Deadlord39? It would be interesting to see what it has for the final page, and compare the various printing, if there are such.

Posts: 4716 · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:20 am

I think I sold both of mine off, but I can check.

Posts: 44 · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:04 pm

I've got Arduin Dungeon II.