Badmike wrote:Nan's is the seminal gaming store in Houston.

Very true. In the 1970s, there were three locations. One was in the Galleria next to the theater, so lines to see Star Wars [not 'A New Hope,' not 'Episode 4,' just 'Star Wars'] would slowly cross it. The bootleg lightsabers they displayed in the window were better quality than Kenner's, & they had all these mysterious items called 'role-playing games.' The only comic they stocked was ElfQuest.

In 1987, I traded them Robotech #1 for the OD&D white box + Blackmoor, the beginning of a life-long obsession.

Badmike wrote:My recent trip to HPB in Austin was productive.. a copy of the TSR Lankhmar game

THAT'S where you got it, the one for $140???!!! Dude, I'm there every day. Please don't tell me you found the Geomorphs at HP Austin too. In recent years they have learned to price things up, so I guess they let those items slip. Not like when I found all the OD&D supplements there for $1.48 each.

Badmike wrote:Austin is usually pretty dry, and like you say they price stuff up.  It's starting to happen in Dallas, also, but in ridiculous ways (i.e. $100 for a Deities and Demigods, $25 Fiend Folios, etc).

But it's still so erratic. As of yesterday, there was a EX/NM Fiend Folio on the clearance shelf of the Central Austin store, $3. I thought of picking it up, as my copy is a misprint.

Meanwhile, they've apparently acquired a few of the FGU titles that began circulating from the publisher's site at rock-bottom prices last year. Not realizing the current value [or hoping to hold on until they rise again], Merc & the Conan wargame are priced at $15 & $110.

A few years ago, there were a bunch of early 80s D&D basic booklets, in  shredded condition no less, going for $20 each at the Round Rock HPB. I wonder how long those sat on the shelf.

Badmike wrote:Thanks for the info on Nans!  I never knew they had the other locations.

The third might of been just the 80s relocation of the 70s store. It was a mile down Westheimer, & was also located next to a theater [a common marketing strategy]. Is the current location still the Southwest Freeway 59/around Shepherd & Greenbriar?

That one too has had many incarnations, i.e. one location has been renovated to occupy various parts of the building, had partnerships with other entrepeneurs to make it into a mini-mall of fandom, & even suffered other floods in the past.

Old salvaged boxes with waterstains were once a common sight there in the 80s, as were the tales of other previous hoards lost to floodwaters. The freeways of Houston are engineered to become emergency flood drains. Nan's being located there means it will happen time & again.

Perhaps one day a foolhardy band of adventurers will arrive to slay Tiamat Dragon of the Waters. What treasures would they find in her hoard, everything her watery claws have ever claimed: crateloads of Wee Warriors & original B3s, no doubt.

Badmike wrote: they heavily ordered MERP stuff yet couldn't sell it (I have never run into a lot of MERP gamers locally)

That has proven a boon more than once to the opportunistic & unscruptulous collector, meaning me. Briar Toys & Hobbies [further down the Southwest Freeway in the suburbs, & long gone] kept a few lingering items on the shelves in the 80s: The OD&D GDG&H, & an unappealing package of lead miniature spiders that became more-&-more tattered as each kid picked it up & put it back on the shelf.

When I began collecting old stuff, I went back to puchase them, as they had become this icon to me of the long-forgotten detrius of D&D past. That's one store price tag I'll never scrape off, since it's a reminder of its time & place.

Oddly enough, I just watched an auction for one in what appeared to be fairly good condition finish at $35.

Perhaps the prices for them have finally come down. (Which means I'll actually be able to get one at a reasonable price. )

Don't think so.  The only reference to highlighting is the standard bit from the blurb on the back:  
** expired/removed eBay auction **

Happy to find The Book of Swords for this price

And these two posters too, very happy

lokiwookie wrote:Happy to find The Book of Swords for this price

That looks like a really nice copy too - and a first print.  They have been coming out of the wooodwork a little bit lately.  I couldn't find one for a few years but there have been 3 or 4 in the past year.

Mars wrote:

That looks like a really nice copy too - and a first print.  

Yes first print and in absolutely mint condition. He stated only good condition some I was afraid it could be writings or staple rust, but nothing, perfect  

And the posters look great. I am hurry to get them on the wall!

jasonw1239 wrote:
Gives me something new to look for...  

You can find one in this lot

I like to buy in Australia because shipping rates are almost the cheapest in the world and AU$ is very low

Finally got a MERP Umbar for a half decent price. I checked with the Seller and the item is complete.

grodog wrote:Ditto:

** expired/removed eBay auction **

I don't understand why the seller wouldn't want to ship worldwide with that lot.  I got 90.00 just for my Ardor from Germany.   In any event, very nice pickup.