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AD&D Matchbook question
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Wandering Monster
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 12:07 am 
 

Greetings, all!

Here's an oddity that I'd like some info/advice on...

In a lot of items I picked up a few years back, was an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons matchbook.  I'd have to dig it out for exact measurements and details, but it looks to be a standard sized white matchbook cover, with some blue/turquoise-like metal foil that depicts a fighter-type figure with either "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS" or "ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS" on it.  I believe it's from the 1970s but can't be 100% sure right this second. (Can't imagine this being done in the 1980s!)

Has anyone ever come across something like this, and if so, is it rare/collectible/worth much?

I'd have to double-check to see if any of the matches have been used/taken out (if that makes a difference).

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated!   :D

Thank you,
John aka Wandering Monster
  

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Wandering Monster
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 6:30 pm 
 

Hello everyone!

I did dig out the matchbook, and boy, is my memory off!   :wink:

The matchbook is pretty beat up, and it's printed with a "kelly green" standard ink, not a foil stamp job at all.  All the matches have been used as well.

The front says DUNGEONS & DRAGONS on three lines, with an asterisk indicating "T.M. Reg. App. For" and below this is a line drawing of the dragon that's on the cover of THE DRAGON issue #1.

On the back is the lizard man logo next to "T S R" with a Lake Geneva P.O. box address below it.

On the "roof" of the matchbook is printed an area code 414 number (presumably TSR's).

I will try to get a scan of this soon.

Has anyone ever come across an item like this before???

Thanks,
John aka Wandering Monster
  

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FoulFoot
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 6:49 pm 
 

If for nothing else, I'd imagine that the matchbook would be worth something if only for its uniqueness.  While TSR was pumping out all sorts of promotional crap in the 1980's, promotional items like this are almost unheard of in 1977.

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harami2000
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 7:37 pm 
 

Agreed. :D

Certainly not seen one of those.
Hmm... pity about the condition, but a theoretical 1978 latest date is definitely kinda neat. :)

(With just the Dragon #1 artwork it could easily be somewhat later; as with the calendar, mailing covers, etc.).
  

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jamesmishler
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 10:12 pm 
 

I wonder if this could have been a pre-consumer test item. You know, like those companies that print your company's name on pens and stuff, they'd set you up with a hundrede freebies just to see if you liked them. Maybe a matchbook company tried to drum up business with TSR in the day. Probably someplace fairly local, if that were the case.

Or maybe it was for an early Gen Con? Hmmm...
  

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Wandering Monster
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Post Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 10:56 pm 
 

Hmm, here's a crazy thought...

I wonder if Gary Gygax or anyone else from the early days of TSR would remember how this thing came about??

Cheers,
John aka Wandering Monster
  

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mbassoc2003
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Post Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:54 am 
 

Stupid question, but any chance of a photo?


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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 3:39 am 
 

I can send scans if someone would like to see one.


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jkason
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Post Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:56 pm 
 

Deadlord36 wrote:I can send scans if someone would like to see one.


Scan it up. I'm sure it'd be damn cool to see (to me at least).


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Wandering Monster
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Post Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:56 pm 
 

Hello everyone,

I will try to get a scan of the matchbook cover in the next couple of days. (Am going to see Star Wars Episode III tomorrow, so that lets out Thursday!)

Best,
John aka Wandering Monster
  

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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:52 am 
 

But there is only a 1 in 6 chance per turn that you will show up at the theater, right?


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jkason
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Post Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 10:28 pm 
 

Wandering Monster wrote:Hello everyone,

I will try to get a scan of the matchbook cover in the next couple of days. (Am going to see Star Wars Episode III tomorrow, so that lets out Thursday!)

Best,
John aka Wandering Monster



Ya know, I just remembered....I also collect matchbook covers, too.
What a crossover!


Dave, get the barbarian in the corner a drink, quick!
  
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