Print history on many of these is hard to pin down because of TSR's habit of omiting printing information on many editions. In addition, some books have incorrect printing information listed in the interior. Almost all of these books had multiple reprints over a ten year period, with many stylistic changes being made as the series progressed. Here's some general printing information for the series:
Three distinictive cover styles were used over the course of the series:
The faux leather cover was used from the inception of the line in 1989 through early 1994. These covers are a dark reddish-brown color and have a dull, textured surface. All of the front cover and spine text is imprinted in gold foil. The back cover text is printed on a large sticker which is set in a recessed area.
The pebbly cover was apparently used sporadically from late 1993 to mid-1996. The coloration is similiar to the faux leather cover, though generally lighter in shade. The cover is overlayed with a slick, glossy, heavilly textured laminant. Cover information is still done in gold foil, though the back cover information is now printed on the book.
The granite cover was used for the Wizards of the Coast reprints issued between 1996 and 1999. Coloration is similiar to other prints, though a striated granite-like pattern is now being used. Covers are slick and glossy, and the gold foil has been dropped. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons logo has been updated to the current style.
The earliest books have only the PHBR# code in the front upper left corner. Starting in 1991 a line of text was added underneath the PHBR# code indicating, in all caps, the subject of the book (ie. PHBR2 has "THIEF'S" underneath it). In late 1991 this was changed to standard capitalization. In 1994 the PHBR# code was dropped entirely.
Earlier books have the angled TSR logo. In mid-1991 this was changed to the new gold angled logo. From 1994 on the dragon logo was used.
Sometime in mid- to late-1991 TSR changed from a 12-digit UPC to an 18-digit UPC.
Originally, these books had $15.00 cover prices. In 1993 prices jumped to $18.00. From 1994 to 1999 prices seemed to fluctuate between $19.95 and $20.00.
PHBR1 The Complete Fighter's Handbook First (1989): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo. States "Second Printing December 1991" on interior. Now has "FIGHTER" printed under the PHBR1 code on front cover. Third (?): Identical to second print except that no print information is listed in the interior. Fourth - Tenth (?): Unknown. Eleventh (1996): Granite cover. States "11th Printing, May 1996" on interior. $19.95 cover price.
PHBR2 The Complete Thief's Handbook First (1989): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo. Now has 1991 copyright on back cover and interior. Now has "THIEF'S" printed under the PHBR2 code on front cover.
PHBR3 The Complete Priest's Handbook First (1990): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second - Sixth (?): Unknown. Seventh (1996): Granite cover. States "Seventh printing, October 1996" on interior. $20.00 cover price.
PHBR4 The Complete Wizard's Handbook First (1990): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (?): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo. Now has "WIZARD'S" printed under the PHBR4 on cover. Third - Ninth (?): Unknown. Tenth (1996): Pebbly cover. States "Tenth printing, March 1996" on interior. $19.95 cover price.
PHBR5 The Complete Psionics Handbook First (1991): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo. States "Second Printing: September 1991" on interior. Incorporates a fair amount of errata.
PHBR6 The Complete Book of Dwarves First (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (1993): Pebbly cover. Does not list print information on interior, but does state "Printed in the U.S.A. November 1993". $20.00 cover price.
PHBR7 The Complete Bard's Handbook First (1992): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Erroneously states "PHBR8" on cover. Unlike other books in this time frame, this one does not have "BARD'S" listed under the PHBR8 code.
PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves First (1992): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (?): Granite cover, $19.95 cover price.
PHBR9 The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings First (1993): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (?): Unknown. Third (1994): Granite cover. States "Third Printing, February 1994" on interior. $20.00 cover price.
PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids First (1993): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. Second (?): Unknown. Third (1994): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $18.00 cover price. States "Third printing, January 1994" on interior. Fourth (?): Unknown. Fifth (1995): Granite cover. On the cover "Humanoids" is in a different font than previous editions. States "Fifth printing, July 1995" on interior. The cover price in incorrectly listed as $18.00 on the back although the UPC indicates the correct cover price of $19.95. Sixth (1999): Same as fifth except interior states "Sixth printing Match 1999".
PHBR11 The Complete Ranger's Handbook First (1993): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $18.00 cover price.
The Complete Paladin's Handbook First (1994): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $18.00 cover price. Second (?): Granite cover, $20.00 cover price.
The Complete Druid's Handbook First (1994): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $18.00 cover price. Second (?): Granite cover, $20.00 cover price.
The Complete Barbarian's Handbook First (1995): Pebbly cover, $19.95 cover price.
The Complete Ninja's Handbook First (?): Unknown. Second (1996): Pebbly cover, $20.00 cover price. States "2nd printing, March 1996" on interior.
