This is in regards to AD&D 2nd Edition so I'm not sure if you can help since you deal with 1st Edition products, but I'll ask anyway..


My question is this...how do I differentiate between different printings of softcover books? For example...Complete Thief's Handbook..how do I tell if it is a first or second or ? printing.

I can't find anything that says what printing it is in book but find two years inside book of 1989, and 1993. Back of book says 1991. So i don't have a clue.

thanks

Also a thread here:  viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3891


There just isn't an all in one spot list for each item.  Overall, I don't think there has been enough interest to assemble such a thing.  The core items had multiple printings, random modules for Ravenloft or Planescape or whatever probably didn't.  Or at least, they don't have detectable differences.  If the logo, price, address, typeface, colors, etc. didn't change, we can't really note a different printing.

In the example you give, it can't be a first printing, because of the dates.  If it had been printed in 1989, it wouldn't reference 1991 or 1993, so it has to be a later printing.  For the PHBR series, looking at the logo, price, and style of the cover are what is used to narrow down the printing order.

If you have specific items that you're interested in, check out those threads, and feel free to ask questions.  I have made notes about what's what (at least to identify first printings), for my use, and if there is anything I can help you identify, I'd be happy to try to do so.

Thanks! Those threads helped a lot! I don't try to collect or accumulate much 2nd Ed. TSR, and later editions and d20 interest me none at all. However some of the earlier 2nd Ed. products I do try to get. The PHBR books just looked cool to me so I am trying to get complete set together. With the knowledge you Sages have provided I will now know what is what!! thanks again

TheHistorian wrote in AD&D Printings:Also a thread here:  http://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3891

A great thread for general information but unfortunately pretty out of date.

copycat wrote in AD&D Printings:The 10th and 11th printings are fairly clear about it. On the Credits page, at the bottom, it will say what printing it is.

If only that were true. The printing information listed on the interior is often repeated across multiple printings or just plain wrong. For example, I have two different printings of PHBR1 that state "2nd printing May 1992" and another that states "Second Printing December 1991." I kid you not. I also have three distinct printings that all state "11th Printing, May 1996."

TheHistorian wrote in AD&D Printings:There just isn't an all in one spot list for each item.  Overall, I don't think there has been enough interest to assemble such a thing.

I have toyed with the idea of doing in-depth printing information for 2E if there was enough interest. I know several other folks have put together lists based on what they have or have researched and if they (or anybody else) is interested in pooling all of our resources I could do a separate section on my website. I threw something together real quick just to get some ideas flowing. Any thoughts?

PHBR1 The Complete Fighter's Handbook

blackdougal wrote in AD&D Printings:I have toyed with the idea of doing in-depth printing information for 2E if there was enough interest. I know several other folks have put together lists based on what they have or have researched and if they (or anybody else) is interested in pooling all of our resources I could do a separate section on my website. I threw something together real quick just to get some ideas flowing. Any thoughts?

PHBR1 The Complete Fighter's Handbook

Yes please. Sounds like a good project for the Wiki. See what I did with 1E items, like The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan, here.

blackdougal wrote in AD&D Printings:
I have toyed with the idea of doing in-depth printing information for 2E if there was enough interest. I know several other folks have put together lists based on what they have or have researched and if they (or anybody else) is interested in pooling all of our resources I could do a separate section on my website. I threw something together real quick just to get some ideas flowing. Any thoughts?

PHBR1 The Complete Fighter's Handbook

I would love this.

ShaneG.

The Planescape subweb is pretty much the only in depth 2E info on this site, as that line has become pretty collectible/valuable.

Sounds like a fun project! Curious, if you were recruiting folks to help, would someone be able to help on a module by module basis?

Grug Greyskin wrote in AD&D Printings:The Planescape subweb is pretty much the only in depth 2E info on this site, as that line has become pretty collectible/valuable.

for sure. I'd love to see a valuation update in the box sets guide - I have my own estimates for current values around but would be good to have 'shared' valuations put up.