Ok I bite.

I am a real SIMPLE person.

An original Pre Pub, or 1st Print Wood grain Set in NM. Along witha 1st Greyhawk, Chainmail, Gods Demi-Gods & Heroes, And Swords & Spells.
To go along with my 1st Blackmoor, and Eldritch Wizardry.

Just to sit on the shelf and get dusted every so often and make me smile when I look at them is all.

That is it Seriously.

I one time had a HUGE list I wanted to have. Then after getting into selling I have held an awful lot of stuff I never thought I would see let alone have pass through my hands. So I have the chance to read and look at a lot of items. Then just let others have them.

I confess I may enjoy a Perfect set of Greyhawk, From the Ashes, Wars, and City of Greyhawk. But its not important right now. I would enjoy a 1st print of  the DMG, PH, MM, FF, and Deities too. All of them in perfect condition.

Like I said I am a very simple person with small tastes.  

Two copies of Everything, one to play with, read, etc, and one for the sake of collecting and preservation.

The copies that get played with are separated by world/theme (Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, etc) into their own rooms with large gaming tables and world-specific art commissioned from the original artists.

Collection and preservation would be done museum-style, with an archivist on staff full time, and displays in environmentally controlled cases.

And it would all be held in a place built by these people.

deimos3428 wrote:

jkason wrote:Two copies of Everything, one to play with, read, etc, and one for the sake of collecting and preservation.

The copies that get played with are separated by world/theme (Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, etc) into their own rooms with large gaming tables and world-specific art commissioned from the original artists.

Collection and preservation would be done museum-style, with an archivist on staff full time, and displays in environmentally controlled cases.

And it would all be held in a place built by these people.

It seems there are at least four different kinds of collectors (so far):

1.  Archivist (me) -- collection thumbed through regularly for comparison.
2.  Museum curator (Ogreden) -- collection sits on self and dusted.
3.  "Dopple-collector" (mbassoc2003) -- just the facts, man.  The collection is in the words, not the paper.
4.  Completist (jkason) -- one (two!) of everything.  Collection is enshrined.


Any others come to mind?

I think this probably puts me under #4-the completist. I'm with jkason, 2 of everything. 1 to to use and 1 to collect.

This is a no brainer.  Must haves would be a set of near mint condition R1-4, RPGA1-4, and ST1.  That would keep me happy for a while.  

nev wrote:I think I'm :
5. Regular completist -- one of everything - not too concerned about condition - just enjoy reading everything
Or is that 1?

I didn't differentiate between "Completist" and "Feral Completist" unfortunately.  I'm surprised at how many of you said you'd collect everything, however.  I wouldn't touch anything with a 2nd edition logo or later, with the exception of the WGR/From the Ashes series which were  very high quality work, and the Forgotten Realms 2nd Edition hardcover, because there wasn't a 1st Edition hardcover.  

There are many things I wouldn't put in my collection without feeling a sense of loss:

No dragon/dungeon magazines, unless I happened to like the cover art
No modules, except the early/rare ones, maybe a copy of G1-2-3.
Miniatures
Dice (Yes, some people collect dice)
etc...

deimos3428 wrote:Since there's been a lot of posts recently about the size/quality of people's collections, I thought I'd throw this one out for thought...

Assuming you had unlimited finances, and the items were obtainable, what would be in your collection?

I'm sure some people will say "everything", but not me.  I would love to have a complete set of each OD&D printing, for example, but I've no interest in shrinkwrapped copies in this scenario.  I have unlimited finances; reselling is a moot point.  I'd want to be able to open them and compare character by character, because I'm pedantic and enjoy that sort of analysis.

Ok, unlimited cash and resources?  Why collect anything that just anyone could get?  I'd go for unique items that no one else had...stuff like the Steve Marsh collection that was just auctioned.
    Specifically, I'd look for adventures that were rumored to be finished but never published....non D&D settings like Midkemia, Islandia, etc.  D&D items that were worked up but never published.
    I'd get game designers/writers that I enjoy the work of (Offhand, can't really think of anyone, maybe Bruce Cordell off the top of my head since I've liked almost everything he's written D&D wise) to write campaigns/adventures based on settings or campaign worlds that I myself have developed.  For example, I am currently DMing a jungle based campaign in my own campaign world, I love to convert stuff that has been published, well how about just have Bruce write me up a mini-campaign or two based on my original ideas?  Talk about the ultimate vanity project and collectible all in one!  As long as these guys are paid and paid well I don't know why they wouldn't take on a vanity project, I would suppose we are talking Mark Cuban type money here so you could pay them, say, $50,000 a module or campaign and bonuses based on the quality (you and your players could take a vote at the end of the adventure or campaign).  Have Brom or someone famous illustrate the thing. Then, having bought the rights to your original adventure, you could have it printed up in a limited edition (say, 300 copies) signed by the artist and writer and give a few copies to your friends and sell a few copies on Ebay, instant collectible (even though I guess being a billionaire you wouldn't need the money...).
   To me, such a one of a kind or unique collectible (maybe an original adventure by Gary Gygax? Dave Arneson? Roger Moore?) would beat anything existiing that is available on Ebay for anyone with money to have.....

Mike B.