Good starting points for Cthulhu?

Posts: 1179 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:10 pm

Chaosium has started to release some of their titles in PDF format.

My Mysteries of Tibet monograph is one of the first four that they have selected for release in this format. Cool

http://catalog.chaosium.com/index.php?cPath=70

Of course they did not contact me first even though I am the copyright owner. Shocked

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:10 pm

jasonw1239 wrote:

Chaosium has started to release some of their titles in PDF format.

My Mysteries of Tibet monograph is one of the first four that they have selected for release in this format. Cool

http://catalog.chaosium.com/index.php?cPath=70

Of course they did not contact me first even though I am the copyright owner. Shocked

That is kind of odd.

Didn't they have you sign some sort of contract where they had the right to reprint the monograph in various formats? That seems like it would be standard procedure.

Still, there is common courtesy to consider. Perhaps notification, if nothing else?

As far as I understand it, you stand to make a higher share of each sale than an author would normally get in the game industry. That should still appy to pdf sales. That would be a nice source of unexpected cash.

Thing is...since the electronic format costs Chaosium less, could you find a way to argue for an even higher percentage...especially since they didn't contact you first...?

Posts: 1179 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:28 pm

Unfortunately there are no contracts for monographs.

They are produced under an open common agreement.

What they purchase from the copyright holder upon purchase of the manuscript is the right to distribute up to 500 copies.

If the full 500 is sold then they reserve the right to either print a further 500 or negotiate a deal to distribute copies to game stores.

I will have to wait and see what transpires but the good thing about this is their catalog listing for the pdf's includes a counter to show what has been sold.

Chaosium let me know in that just a little over a month after the release of Mysteries of Tibet that approximately 100 had already been sold through their online store.

Posts: 1179 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:17 pm

Update to the monograph PDF's.

I just received a nice email from Chaosium explaining the sales of PDF's.

They did confirm that any sales does count towards the overall total that they originally purchased the rights for.

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:58 pm

jasonw1239 wrote:

Update to the monograph PDF's.

I just received a nice email from Chaosium explaining the sales of PDF's.

They did confirm that any sales does count towards the overall total that they originally purchased the rights for.

Nice!

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:10 pm

if i can get a beyond the mountains of madness (complete) for $68 is that worth it?

thx

Al

Posts: 1179 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:14 pm

The original softcover or the the newer hardcover print?

If the softcover, it usually sells for more on eBay, in the $80-$90 range (sometimes higher).

Danny deals with a lot of that stuff so he might be a better one to ask.

I'm not sure what the hardcover is selling for now. I bought mine at cost when it was released and have not been tracking them.

The Antarctic Expedition Kit usually sells for a decent price also. I have seen them go for $50+

Edit: Damn! Arctic...Antarctic

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:42 pm

look...one thing at a time thanks Smile

Posts: 1736 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:55 pm

If it is in really good condition, and has the players map, yes - that is a good price.

[edit: that assumes you are not also paying $50 for postage Wink

]

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:08 pm

red_bus wrote:

If it is in really good condition, and has the players map, yes - that is a good price.

[edit: that assumes you are not also paying $50 for postage Wink

]

i checked again, and it was for the hardback thingy so i guess not such a good deal after all... ?

Al

Posts: 1736 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:25 pm

Well, if you want the 1st print paperback for your collection, you should prob. wait. But still an OK price for the hardback. Some of these had problems with the binding - so best to check.

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:53 pm

red_bus wrote:

Well, if you want the 1st print paperback for your collection, you should prob. wait. But still an OK price for the hardback. Some of these had problems with the binding - so best to check.

oh believe me, i am in no rush at all. give me something to look for!

anyway, as mentioned to Dan, my interest really lies in the victorian stuff, so i am meh with this item anyway...though seeing johns copy last year, it looks a great read.

Al

Posts: 406 · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:11 am

$68 for the 2nd print is a good enough price, RRP was $75 and now it's OOP and I haven't seen any plans to re-print. The book is v.heavy though so expect to be skinned if you order from the States. Second what Red said, production quality leaves a bit to be desired, 1st print is superior but the prices have been going up again. I'm pretty sure I have a 2nd print which I'd swap for a JG goodie bag if you are interested. Another option is to keep an eye on Chaosium - they have a habit of finding copies from time to time. I place a Chaosium order about once a month and take advantage of free shipping so let me know if you need anything from their catalogue. Or wait, they surface quite regularly on eBay and maybe one will pass under the radar.

Rarest, from what I've experienced, is 1st print HB. I kicked myself in the arse for selling the one copy that came my way. Haven't seen one since.

[EDIT]: If all you want to do is read it - no problem I'll send you a copy. Let me know.

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:11 pm

well i finally got my hands on this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140245367335&ssPa geName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123

was the one thing i WANTED to get, so am happy...no idea if its a good price or not, but i dont care.

so what other supplements do i need that relate to this era?

thanks

Al

Posts: 1179 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:37 pm

The Chaosium products in support of Gaslight are Dark Designs and Sacraments of Evil.

Pagan Publishing printed The Golden Dawn for the Gaslight setting.

In the monograph line, Chaosium has The Gaslight Equipment Catalogue, and Return of the Ripper. There are a few more monographs set in the Gaslight period that should be published by the end of 2008.

It was an interesting era that meshed well with Call of Cthulhu but never got the support that it deserves. Sad

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:57 pm

thanks for that jason!

taken notes of them, so will go on the hunt for them next Smile

Al

Posts: 4451 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:01 pm

killjoy32 wrote:

well i finally got my hands on this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140245367335&ssPa geName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123

was the one thing i WANTED to get, so am happy...no idea if its a good price or not, but i dont care.

so what other supplements do i need that relate to this era?

thanks

Al

Great buy Al! Looks nice, for a good price, and it's local!

You might also look for Green and Pleasant Land sourcebook. It's not specifically set in Gaslight (1920s I believe), but has some good info about the UK during the late 19th/early 20th century.

Mike B .

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:47 pm

sounds good. i am gonna read up on all this real good and get everything sorted. guess what the texans are gonna play next year Twisted Evil

Al

Posts: 1736 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:23 pm

Good price Al. Smile

As the Gaslight box set is very British in it setting, you could also look at some of the more UK-centred scenarios which appeared in White Dwarf too.

Posts: 7604 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:56 pm

red_bus wrote:

Good price Al. Smile

As the Gaslight box set is very British in it setting, you could also look at some of the more UK-centred scenarios which appeared in White Dwarf too.

which ones in which issues?

i hardly have any white dwarfs...never really something i got into, barring some of the older ones with thrud the barbarian in and gobbledigook.

Al