As promised (threatened?) here's a fairly up-to-date list of
2E print variations that I know of. Info in italics was sent to me by someone else, all other info was personally verified be me.
2nd Edition Core Rulebooks
Player's Handbook
First (1989): TSR Angled logo. 12-digit UPC.
Second (?): TSR Gold Angled logo. 12-digit UPC. As with many TSR books, no print information is listed on the interior. It is likely that there are many printings to this book that can't be identified.
Third (?): Identical to second print except now has 18-digit UPC.
Fourth -- Tenth: Unknown.
Eleventh (1994): TSR Dragon logo, $20 cover price, 18-digit UPC. States "11th Printing, February 1994" on interior. The front and rear interior covers list and picture a variety of current AD&D products.
Player's Handbook (Revised)
First (1995): Cover price of $25.00. Listed as "1st Printing, April 1995" on interior. The front and rear interior covers list and picture a variety of current AD&D products.
Second (1996): See below for theory.
Third (1997): Wizards of the Coast printing. Cover price of $29.95. "Player's Handbook" is now listed in all caps on cover and spine. Interior covers ads have been dropped. Has
WotC copyright and contact information listed on back cover. Has 1997 copyright on back cover, but states "2nd Printing, May 1996" on interior. Interior makes no mention of Wizards of the Coast. I'm theorizing, for the moment, that there is a TSR 2nd print, and that the
WotC print is actually those leftovers with a new cover slapped on them. Can anyone confirm a 2nd print that doesn't have the
WotC cover?
Dungeon Master's Guide
First (1989): TSR Angled logo.
Second (?): TSR Gold Angled logo. As with many TSR books, no print information is listed on the interior. It is likely that there are many printings to this book that can't be identified.
Dungeon Master Guide (Revised) - note name change
First (1995): Cover price of $20.00. Listed as "1st Print, April 1995" on interior. The front and rear interior covers list and picture a variety of current AD&D products.
Second (1997): Wizards of the Coast printing. Cover price of $24.95. Interior covers ads have been dropped. Has
WotC copyright and contact information on back cover. Has 1997 copyright on back cover, but continues to state "1st Print, April 1995" on interior. Interior makes no mention of Wizards of the Coast. As with the Player's Handbook, it seems likely that
WotC simply took the existing DMGs and put new covers on them.
Third (1998?): Identical to second print except interior has
WotC contact information. U.K. price has also been dropped from the back cover.
Monstrous Manual
First (1993): White cover with TSR Angled logo.
Second: Unknown.
Third (1994): White cover with TSR Dragon logo.
Fourth: Unknown.
Fifth (?): Monstrous Manual in black letters, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in red letters. "2nd Edition" no longer on title. White cover. 5th printing on copyright page.
Sixth (?): All black cover. Address info on back cover states TSR.
Seventh (1996): Cover has been redone in the newer black cover style, in line with the revised Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master Guide. Address info on back states Wizards of the Coast, Inc. though it still bears the TSR logo. States 7th printing on copyright page.
PHBR Player's Handbook Rules Supplement Series
Print history on many of these is hard to pin down because of TSR's habit of omitting 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 distinctive 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 similar to the faux leather cover, though generally lighter in shade. The cover is overlaid with a slick, glossy, heavily textured laminate. 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 similar 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 (i.e. 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. 12-digit UPC.
Second (1991): Identical to first print except uses gold angled TSR logo and now has "FIGHTER" printed under the PHBR1 code on front cover. States "Second Printing December 1991" on interior.
Third (?): Identical to second print except that no print information is listed in the interior.
Fourth (?): Identical to second print except now has 18-digit UPC. Interior states "2nd printing May 1992."
Fifth (?): Identical to second print except now has 18-digit UPC and $18.00 cover price. States "Printed in the U.S.A. November 1993" on interior.
Sixth -- Tenth (?): Unknown
Eleventh (1996): Granite cover. States "11th Printing, May 1996" on interior. $19.95 cover price. 18-digit UPC. TSR dragon logo.
PHBR2 The Complete Thief's Handbook
First (1989): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 12-digit UPC.
Second (1991): Identical to first print except uses gold angled TSR logo and now has "THIEF'S" printed under the PHBR2 code on front cover. Also has 1991 copyright on back cover and interior.
Third? (1993): Identical to second print except now has $18.00 cover price and 18-digit UPC. States "Printed in the U.S.A. November 1993" on the interior.
Fourth? (?): Identical to third print except now uses TSR dragon logo.
PHBR3 The Complete Priest's Handbook
First (1990): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 12-digit UPC.
Second - Sixth (?): Unknown.
Seventh (1996): Granite cover. TSR dragon logo. States "Seventh printing, October 1996" on interior. $20.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
PHBR4 The Complete Wizard's Handbook
First (1990): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 12-digit UPC.
Second (?): Identical to first print except uses gold angled TSR logo and now has "WIZARD'S" printed under the PHBR4 on cover.
Third? (1993): Identical to second print except has $18 cover price and 18-digit UPC. States "Printed in the U.S.A. November 1993" on the interior.
Fourth - Ninth (?): Unknown.
Tenth (1996): Pebbly cover. States "Tenth printing, March 1996" on interior. $19.95 cover price. 18-digit UPC. TSR dragon logo.
Eleventh(?) (?): Identical to tenth print except granite cover.
PHBR5 The Complete Psionics Handbook
First (1991): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 12-digit UPC.
Second (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo. States "Second Printing: September 1991" on interior. Incorporates some errata. 18-digit UPC.
Third -- Fourth: Unknown.
Fifth (April 1994): Gold angled TSR logo.
PHBR6 The Complete Book of Dwarves
First (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 12-digit UPC.
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. 18-digit UPC.
PHBR7 The Complete Bard's Handbook
First (1992): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC. 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, 18-digit UPC.
Second (?): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo, $19.95 cover price, 18-digit UPC.
PHBR9 The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
First (1993): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price, 18-digit UPC.
Second (?): Unknown.
Third (1994): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo. States "Third Printing, February 1994" on interior. $20.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids
First (1993): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $15.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
Second (?): Unknown.
Third (1994): Identical to first print except has gold angled TSR logo and $18.00 cover price. States "Third printing, January 1994" on interior.
Fourth (?): Unknown.
Fifth (1995): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo. 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): Identical to fifth print 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. 18-digit UPC.
Second (1994): Identical to first print except states "Second printing, February 1994" on the interior.
Third: Unknown.
Fourth (October 1996): TSR Dragon logo, granite cover.
The Complete Paladin's Handbook
First (1994): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, $18.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
Second (?): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo, $19.95 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
The Complete Druid's Handbook
First (1994): Faux leather cover, TSR dragon logo, $18.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
Second (?): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo, $20.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
The Complete Barbarian's Handbook
First (?): States "Printed in the U.S.A. (C)1995 TSR, Inc." and has the faux leather cover, the TSR Dragon logo and a cover price of $18.00.
Second (?) (1995): Pebbly cover, TSR dragon logo, $19.95 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
The Complete Ninja's Handbook
First (1995): Faux leather cover, TSR dragon logo, $18.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC.
Second (1996): Pebbly cover, TSR dragon logo, $20.00 cover price. 18-digit UPC. States "2nd printing, March 1996" on interior.
Miscellaneous
Tome of Magic
First (1991): TSR Angled Logo. 10-digit UPC. No printing information. No Canadian suggested retail price. RPGA advert on next to last page. Matte cover. Contains the spell Mindkiller (p. 107).
Second (1991, July): TSR Gold Angled Logo. Identical to first print, except printing information on page 2 and Mindkiller spell changed to Mind Tracker.
Third -- Fifth: Unknown.
Sixth (1995, February): TSR Dragon logo. 12-digit UPC. Canadian suggested retail price $26. Glossy cover. D&D product listings on the front and back fly leaves. Advert on next to last page is for Council of Wryms.
Seventh (1996, March): TSR Dragon logo. 12-digit UPC. "2nd Edition" dropped from Advaced Dungeons & Dragons. Cover style matches the "Revised Editions". Softcover (maybe a hardcover was produced as well). Advert on next to last page is for Council of Wryms. UK suggested retail price omitted. Canadian suggested retail price $25. Back cover bears WoTC's addresses.
Eighth? (1999): 18-digit UPC, $20.00 U.S. and $30.00 Canadian cover prices. Continues to state "Seventh Printing: March, 1996" on interior although it has 1999 copyright date elsewhere in interior and on back cover.
Wizard's Spell Compendium Volume One
First (1996): States "First Printing, October 1996" on interior. Purple alligator-skin like graphic for cover texture. NO text on back cover.
Second (1997): Continues to state "First Printing, October 1996" on interior. Purple granite graphic for cover texture. TSR logo and book title in gold on the front cover. Back cover now has regular text (blurb, UPC, copyright information, etc.)
Priest's Spell Compendium Volume One
One dark blue, one distinctly brighter.
Encyclopedia Magica Volume One
First: Unknown.
Second (1995): States "Second Printing, August 1995" on interior. Faux leather oversized cover with bookmark. No back cover text, only a sticker with UPC.
Third (1999): Standard cardstock cover. Back cover now has regular text (blurb, UPC, copyright information, etc.)
Encyclopedia Magica Volume Two
First (1995): States "First Printing, February 1995" on interior. Faux leather oversized cover with bookmark. No back cover text, only a sticker with UPC.
Second (?): Unknown if later prints exist, though it seems likely.
Encyclopedia Magica Volume Three
First (1995): States "First Printing, May 1995" on interior. Faux leather oversized cover with bookmark. No back cover text, only a sticker with UPC.
Second (?): Unknown if later prints exist, though it seems likely.
Encyclopedia Magica Volume Four & Index
First: Unknown.
Second (1997): States "Second Printing, August 1997" on interior. Faux leather oversized cover with bookmark. No back cover text, only a sticker with UPC.
Third (1999): Standard cardstock cover. Back cover now has regular text (blurb, UPC, copyright information, etc.)
DMGR3 Arms and Equipment Guide
First (1991): Faux leather cover, gold angled TSR logo, 12-digit UPC, $15.00 cover price
Second -- Fourth: Unknown.
Fifth (1994): Granite cover, TSR dragon logo, 18-digit UPC, $20.00 cover price. States "Fifth Printing: January 1994" on the interior.
HR1 Vikings Campaign Sourcebook
First (?): Unknown.
Second (1991): Faux leather cover, angled TSR logo, 12-digit UPC, $15.00 cover price. States "Second Printing: April 1991" on interior.
FOR1 Draconomicon.
First (1990): Angled TSR logo, 12-digit UPC, $15.00 cover price.
Second (1999): Wizards of the Coast reprint. Silver Anniversary TSR logo, 18-digit UPC, $19.95 cover price. Some formatting differences including updated Advanced Dungeons & Dragon logo as well as new cover art.
FOR2 The Drow of the Underdark
First (1991): Gold angled TSR logo, 12-digit UPC, $15.00 cover price.
Second (1999): Wizards of the Coast reprint. TSR dragon logo, 18-digit UPC, $19.95 cover price. Some formatting differences including updated Advanced Dungeons & Dragons logo and removal of the "FOR2" item code.
Wizards and Rogues of the Realms
First (1995): Faux leather cover, TSR dragon logo, $15.00 cover price, 18-digit UPC.
Second (1996?): Pebbly cover, TSR dragon logo, $20.00 cover price, 18-digit UPC.
The Ruins of Myth Drannor
First (1993): Gold angled TSR logo, $20.00 cover price.
Second (?): TSR dragon logo, $25.00 cover price. Box is approximately ¼" thicker than first print and is a noticeably brighter shade of green.
Ruins of Undermountain
First (1991): TSR Gold Angled Logo, 12-digit UPC, $20.00 cover price. Box is 1.25 inches thick. Under the Forgotten Realms logo on the box top/bottom are the words "Boxed Set". On back cover "Designed by Ed Greenwood" is in a different font as the rest of the yellow text.
Second? (?): TSR Dragon Logo, 12-digit UPC, $25.00 cover price. Box is 1.75 inches thick. Under the Forgotten Realms logo on the box top/bottom are the words "Campaign Expansion". On back cover "Designed by Ed Greenwood" in the same font as the rest of the yellow text. Contents of box, bear the TSR Gold Angled Logo, appear to be identical to first print.
Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One
First (1994): $18 cover price. Also has U.K. and Canada prices on back.
Second? (1998): $19.95 cover price. No longer lists U.K. price on back. Back cover also has slightly different layout than first print.
Planescape Campaign Setting
First (1994): Has "Planescape Campaign Setting" only on box top and sides.
Second (1994?): Same as first except now adds Advanced Dungeons & Dragons / AD&D logo to box top and sides.
RR3 Van Richten's Guide to Vampires
First (1991): Cover has small gold angled TSR logo to the left and down of the "V" in "Van Richten's". 12-digit UPC.
Second (?): Cover has much larger gold angled TSR logo in bottom left corner. 18-digit UPC. Back cover also has slightly different layout than first print.
Wizard Spells Cards / Deck of Wizard Spells
First (1992): Entitled "Wizard Spell Cards." Comes in a large box (10.75" x 12"). TSR Gold Angled logo, 12-digit UPC, $18.95 cover price.
Second (1994): Retitled "Deck of Wizard Spells." Comes in a smaller, deeper box (5.25" x 5"). TSR Dragon logo, 18-digit UPC, $20.00 cover price.
Deck of Magical Items
First (1993): Large box (10.75" x 12"). TSR Gold Angled logo, 18-digit UPC, $20.00 cover price.
Second (?): Smaller, deeper box (5.25" x 5"). TSR Dragon logo.