I bought one for $40 last year, which is what is was worth to me,

I hope that helps

There are at least 2 different ones, both should go about $30-40 or so. I can't remember if it is the stock number or the box label that is different.

I honestly can't remember, Allan. I think you are correct, though, one was rarer. I had both and I think one was harder to find. There are definitely two different ones.

According to RPGGeek, there are three versions of the gridded map (all folded, and available only with the accompanying guidebook), and four versions of the gridless map.

1. Folded (2100A)
2. Rolled (2100)
3. Italian (2002)
4. Part of a two-map set (2008)

The gridless map was originally offered in both rolled and folded forms, the folded form to reduce shipping costs. We can ignore the Italian map as there is no information as to whether it was folded or rolled. That leaves two versions: the rolled map, and the map that is part of the two-map set. The evidence so far is circumstantial, but there is proof; that proof coming from the two-map set's publishing "blurb" found on the packaging (bold type for emphasis).

Finally, ICE's original map of Middle-earth is available again in flat poster format!

If the two-map set were the first time Pete Fenlon's Middle-earth map was offered in a rolled form, there would be no need for the word "again" in the publisher blurb. Thus, there are two versions of the rolled map available, easily distinguished. The first rolled map would be by itself, and (speculation) would likely have come in a plain cardboard tube. At the time Iron Crown was just starting out as a company, and couldn't readily afford specialized packaging for the map like what they did for the 1994 reissue. The 1994 reissue is rather self-explanatory: custom packaging, publisher blurb, and including a map of Northwestern Middle-earth.

Now, all of the above only confirms there were two versions. It doesn't actually answer the question: which is more rare? The answer I believe would be the earlier rolled version, as I believe they were intended to be a limited time collectible due to limited resources on Iron Crown's part. The lack of resources would also explain why the map was also offered in a folded format. The earliest issue of Dragon I could find in the Magazine Archive that offered the map was May, 1983, which was around the time frame the Middle-earth Campaign Guidebook had its page count bumped from 16 to 24 pages. Based upon the available evidence to me, Iron Crown sold out of the map by May, 1984 as they had changed their back cover ads in Dragon to no longer provide an order form. I don't have access to any ICE catalogs from that time frame, so I have no idea if they continued to offer the map past this point.

ICE stock code #2008 Middle-earth Poster Maps (1994)
ICE stock code #2024 Lord of the Rings Poster Map (1997)

2008 has two maps, one showing the old blue map that expands the lands to the east and south, and the other is the largely tan map that shows the area just to the east of the forest that lies northeast of the sea of Rhun.

2024 has a single map, largely green that crops off part of the forest of Rhun.

As I listed some MERP stuff on eBay, I happened across two relevant catalogs that shed more light on the 2100 vs 2100A map:

ICE Spring 1987 catalog still lists the rolled map (as "flat", as opposed to "folded") for sale for $5, along with the folded one.

ICE Summer 1987 catalog only lists the folded one in the normal action. The rolled map is only in the Discontinued Products section: "We have very limited quantities of the following products..."

All in all this has been pretty interesting. I wonder if the early 1983-1985/6/7(ish) map (ref #2100, possibly in plain packaging) is any different from the later reissue in a big toblerone-shaped box with a coloured label. I have only ever seen the latter for sale, but that is perhaps not surprising in that the packaging is quite distinctive. If the early map just shipped in a plain tube why would anyone even think to keep it, or for that matter keep it after they bought it on ebay. The fact that no one has mentioned any other distinctive packaging is *some* evidence that there was none -- there are plenty of MERP collectors here and elsewhere.

...I suppose you could compare the early folded map #2100A (on the assumption that it is identical to the #2100 flat version) with the later #2008 one up close (any very minor references round the edge perhaps..?) … I would but much of my MERP (including folded maps & guides) are stored behind boxes of bulk-buy nappies at the moment  But they might just be identical (i.e. a reprint). In which case we may never see a #2100 - unless someone recalls buying one and has the packaging etc...

PS. I have the #2024 map as well. Urgh - not as nice as the classic one

From what I recall, the maps themselves appear to be identical, including the stock number (EDIT: stratochamp mentions the differences in his post). But I don't have either poster map. The only thing I have is the first printing Campaign and Adventure Guidebook with the normal map with gridlines. And...I almost didn't get the map. The owners of the FLGS I frequented had the map in box beneath a table while the book itself was on the bookshelf.

Since I don't have the posters I couldn't tell you what the packaging was for certain. However, it very likely was a plain mailing tube. I found a picture on the Internet while looking around for info on the poster map, and found someone selling the folded poster map. The folded map came in a plain envelope. As for the tube being plain, keep in mind the time period. In 1982 Iron Crown was still a relatively new company. Mailing tubes weren't cheap, and there was no Staples next door you could head to. They could have placed a finished label on the tube, but postal regulations both then and now I believe prohibited such a practice, especially as I know boxed goods with colorful labels have to be placed in a box, or wrapped in paper.

The folded map and rolled map are the same stock number, 2100A. The A is important here, because the campaign and adventure guidebook and its map with gridlines both bear the stock number of 2100. I doubt comparing the maps up close would reveal significant differences unless Iron Crown reworked the printing plates to change the stock number on the maps. Something that due to the cost of printing I think unlikely. The only area where there could be a significant difference is in the paper itself. Detailed chemical analysis of the paper could determine which is which, but that tends to be a bit destructive.

I doubt we'll ever see 2100A in a mailing tube. In 1982 were you thinking of collecting this stuff, or were you like the rest of the crowd, thinking it was a cool thing to hang on your wall? In 1982 I definitely wouldn't be shy about hanging the map on the wall, with thumbtacks to boot.

stratochamp wrote in MERP rolled up map in box:I do have the posters, so I can tell you exactly what each contained.

2100 is the tube with a rolled map of endor, without a square grid overlay on it. The tube, which was the original tube I got from ICE at Gencon in 1982, is completely blank.
2100a is a map of endor (without square grid overlay) folded in a rectangle shape with a cardboard backer for protection, and then shrinkwrapped. This was also made available with a square fold.
2200 is the campaign and adventure guidebook for middle earth, with a square folded map of endor, with the square grid overlay on it.

P.S. I was thinking about collecting this stuff in 1982; that was the GenCon I bought the first ob3 ever sold....for $46. My friends thought I was crazy.

That's approximately $116.56 in 2017 dollars.