And only $9.99 for that nice, early Tractics set, too, even if missing ref sheets
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5168381964
(Burnie Bros. SW'd one was a "Wizard" copy, not GK- which should explain the dice, I think).

Bet the seller was a bit disappointed, there, after that string of OCEs and high prices...
Hrrr.... Was there something wrong with his deodorant?

I dunno, the missing reference sheets are a big factor. $10 for a set missing those isn't unusual. There was a (complete) set here in Australia that went through ebay 2/3 times without a bid that only had a $15 opening price.

I'd be interested in the chronology of Tractics - I know Guidon published them first, followed by TSR. I have two TSR copies - one in a white box, one in a woodgrain. If nothing else it lets me boast I own a woodgrain box set....

I'll get a Guidon set eventually... I've bid on the last couple that have come up on ebay but no luck yet. Just have to wait until all the more serious collectors have their own set and then it'll be my turn.

harami2000 wrote:Greyhawk T1st

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5170573490

$35 with 5 3/4 days (reserve not met)

- "clear tape applied over the soiling" (paraphr.). *urk* What's wrong with the UK-standard fully-laminated look?

Heh. Another auction to totally annihilate the paltry low-grade "estimated values", then...

(Would have been interesting to see that excellent Chainmail 1st sold on the 'bay, too).

{Heh. Another auction to totally annihilate the paltry low-grade "estimated values"}



Not exactly sure what you meant by that comment, but:



But, I would like to clarify a point or five if I may.



FWIW: I would place the condition of the copy of First Print Greyhawk that I have listed at far above "low-grade" status. In fact it not for the Tape, and the fact that I also have a second (Mint) copy of the book, I would not even be listing this copy at all. I would keep it myself, and may still if the Reserve price is not met, without misgivings. The book listed in that auction truly is a very nice copy of the TFG. (See below)



If not for the clear tape applied to the spine of the book, I would comfortably grade this book at Fine to Very Fine using the Acaeum Grading Scale. I did not state this (My opinion) in the listing as others (Buyers) may very well have a different opinion of the books condition than I do. Instead I listed all possible detractions (In detail) and so allow the bidder to make his or her own decision, based on the detailed facts, and the pictures placed with those facts, rather than cloud the auction with my opinions. My opinion means little to the bidder.



Also, and as we are all well aware on this forum, a store sticker on the cover of a book of this sort is very common and not much of a problem for most collectors (Including myself). It happens and if left on, then (IMO) the sticker does not affect the value or appearance of the book enough to downgrade the books condition.



The staple rust I detailed is not bad either. Normal actually, as indicative of other copies of this type of book from the same time period that I have. But, certainly a detraction to the books overall grading though.



The soiling (perhaps too pronounced in my description) is actually slight and detailed by me only to err on the side of the buyer. As can be seen in the enlarged pictures offered for the auction. (Please click on the pictures to enlarge them).



BTW: More pictures can be sent on request.



I agree that selling a First Edition Chainmail at this time would certainly have garnered some interest, however, the First Edition Chainmail I once had is now part of another person's collection. I recently traded that First Edition Chainmail for other Items.



The trade offer was simply too tempting for me to resist. Among those items was a Mint copy of the True First Print of Greyhawk, hence the current sale of this TFG by me.



That Mint copy of TFG is (without question) the best-conditioned book (of its type and time period) that I have ever seen. And I do have other Mint copies of similar type books in my collection. It was in fact (IMO) the most essential piece of the trade offer made to me. For without it I imagine that an equitable trade would not have been possible. And, although that book may not be as pricey as some of my other treasures it enjoys an honored place in my collectables cabinet and is one of the highlights of my D&D collection; as was the First Edition Chainmail before it.

Spots of rust on the staples are good - it shows the module is genuine, and not a good (photo)copy which has been through a modern shrink wrapper.



Esp w.r.t. JG stuff!!



BJS

Ralf Toth wrote:But you have no right to critizise it openly, unless you come up with something better yourself.

Whoa back, Ralf... I need a "right" to speak freely on an open forum?



Nor do I need to present a fully-fledged system just to be permitted to critique specific points of the current one being used behind-the-scenes (I mentioned staple rust vs. spine tears, rather than just decrying the system for no particular reason).



Have already posted estimated valuations based on a five-point schema and mentioned the possibility of grading within various aspects or averaging rather than using a "one hit and you're out" approach.

Or even just to leave this as a subjective matter (as other people would be inclined to do) within a very loose schema ( Page Not Found appears to try to do this, but has confusing points such as "minor spine creases" on F & NM descs., with that eyesight-dependant "5 feet" comment on VF).

Ralf Toth wrote:Look, it's like politics. Just to say NO is not enough.

Actually, in politics that's often more than enough.

Ralf Toth wrote:

harami2000 wrote:Whoa back, Ralf... I need a "right" to speak freely on an open forum?

Reread my post. I never said so and never will. Please be careful with such allegiations.

No "allegations". Just your own quote. "Please be careful" applies both ways, no?

Ralf Toth wrote:But you have no right to critizise it openly, unless you come up with something better yourself.

Seems clear enough to me. Your own italics, too.

Ralf Toth wrote:Where is your "suggestion for improvement"? Sorry, I couldn't find it.

Think I'll bite my tongue and ask you to read again (and the previous comments and observations, too) rather than respond to that tone of statement...

(Or is only a "fully fledged" and detailed alternative system acceptable?).

Ralf Toth wrote:

harami2000 wrote:
Actually, in politics that's often more than enough.

Not for the voters.

Blanket statement. No win.



So you know of no voters who avoid voting for a party because they don't identify/agree with a given stance or individual?

Or no politician who picks up votes just as readily just by saying they don't agree with the policy(ies) of another party? (Opposition politics is far more often about knocking down, first, without actually presenting a "better" alternative. If you present something tangible it gives the other party(ies) something to aim at!).



But we digress...

b_stedman wrote:Spots of rust on the staples are good - it shows the module is genuine, and not a good (photo)copy which has been through a modern shrink wrapper.

*nods*. Most likely genuine and definitely a good indication of having not been tampered with.



Was thinking in the context of the old Supplements, too. Anything better than a few spots of staple rust probably needs a detailed history of what climate-controlled conditions the book's been kept in! *1/2 jk*

(And if we get too hyper about staples, is certainly opening the way to wholesale fraud, IMHO).

b_stedman wrote:Esp w.r.t. JG stuff!!



BJS

 8O  8O



*immediately rips open all my spare bulk-purchase JG items, just to make sure*



Ah... that's a relief. The smell of aging newsprint is another good sign, no?



(One more reason I dislike SW, aside from not being able to handle/use the contents...).

harami2000 wrote:

Ralf Toth wrote:Harami,



I will email you privately with my concerns later. If you wish to continue the discussion, please let us do so via email.

If that's an indirect "gagging order" on all matters relating to "criticism" (constructive or otherwise) of grading scales, rather than relating to our own discussion, please state that clearly, Ralf, instead of leaving me guessing.



Anyhow, I see nothing in either which cannot be discussed on public forum, since it relates directly to the topic at hand.



David.

Guys, sheesh.  Calm down.  No need to "pull a Maxwell" here.  I see there are some clear concerns regarding grading so I propose the very tried and true universal grading system:



If I have one, it's mint.

If I don't, it's rare.



(Don't laugh too hard, it's better than some)  :P

Deadlord36 wrote:It does, but in the wrong column. This is "Interesting Items."

I believe I mentioned a T1st Greyhawk...



Agreed, Frank, re. consensus system as a possible balance and may also be of interest to obtain a broader perspective, rather than just the top two figures in a given auction.

... And yes, presuming honestly stated numbers of course!

deimos3428 wrote:If I have one, it's mint.

If I don't, it's rare.

 :lol:



Yeah, but with the rider that I'm not going to tell anyone I think so and want their copy for under a buck, no?