A Holmes Basic set in shrink wrap sold on eBay a few days ago for $1125...! Not even an early print. I think that's a record. The listing said it was owned by a former TSR employee but didn't give any more details. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-D-amp-D-Dungeons-amp-Dragons-Basic-Set-1001-Factory-Shrink-Wrapped-/391951764548?nma=true&si=gGcQmgfUAFGOTw0zGgYj%252FC8ImO4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-D-amp-D-Dungeons-amp-Dragons-Basic-Set-1001-Factory-Shrink-Wrapped-/391951764548?nma=true&si=gGcQmgfUAFGOTw0zGgYj%252FC8ImO4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Looks like a have a good retirement plan on the shelf behind me...
ReplyDeleteDamn!
ReplyDeleteWowzers,⊙°⊙
ReplyDeleteHuh. My retirement plan was to PLAY the game, not leave it shrink-wrapped on my shelf. Un-opened, un-played, un-loved. ;)
ReplyDeleteNow the question is, do you open it?
ReplyDeleteCan you love somthing in shrink wrap?
ReplyDeleteOpening it would drop the value by at least $1000...
ReplyDeleteThere's always the possibilty it's a reshrink. Opening it might let you see, but you can't put the shrink back. It's a Schrodinger's Cat.
ReplyDeleteIf it has the dice, open it and use them! Cant leave those poor fellas in that old box...
ReplyDelete$1300 in shrink is ridiculous. Leaving aside the possibility that it's reshrinked, that's just a silly run up in price. And c'mon, it's not even a Holmes Box with Lizard Logo..
ReplyDeleteThere're only 16 bids, too. I've seen plenty of things not go as high as that, but with 30+ or 40+ bids placed.
ReplyDeleteIt took just three folks that really, really wanted it to get it from $385 up to that $1125 figure...
It just take a few collectors with shrinkwrap mindset (shrink is premium because it is how the manufacturer produced it, and it's rarer) coupled with sufficient disposable income (which keeps going up as the interested cohort ages). I'm always torn. I'm more of an information collector and would never pay anything close to these prices. On the other hand, I like that there are a few sets still preserved in their original packaging. This is how stuff ends up getting saved for museums, exhibits etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't much like buying/selling sets in factory shrink anymore. Too many headaches. Is it really factory shrink? If it's real, is it concealing damage?
ReplyDeleteOne time, I sold a box set in original shrink. New owner opened it, found moisture damage all over inside.
Another time, I was opening a shrink GW 2nd set for a big reveal and photos. It was a big reveal alright... The TSR crayon had leaked oil on the book and map. Yay.
I think there is also a TSR logo plastic bag for only 89 bux...
ReplyDeleteAlso, to put this in perspective, the same seller sold a super-rare shrinkwrapped copy of the 1992 mini-module Jade Hare for $18,600 ebay.com - Details about 1992 TSR D & D "The Jade Hare" Original Factory Shrink Wrapped
ReplyDeleteJade Hare is a fairly rote 10-page dungeon with 13 rooms, mostly humanoids, and with recycled cover art (from the original Endless Quest book, Dungeons of Dread). It was part of the last line of Basic that came out after the Rules Cyclopedia, the "Thunder Rift" line.
ReplyDeleteAll fine examples of how to define ludicrous...
ReplyDeleteJade Hare is normally found without a cardstock cover; only a handful of covered copies are known. So a shrinked copy is a unicorn. I'm not even sure it's really been confirmed that TSR shrinked any copies. acaeum.com - Jade Hare
ReplyDeleteA pdf is up on Drivethrurpg for $2 if you want to save yourself $18,598: drivethrurpg.com - http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17140/The-Jade-Hare-Basic?it=1
ReplyDeleteI have an interest in collecting to some extent and am a member at the acaeum . But shrink-wrap stuff, jade hare, orange B3s etc hold no interest for me other than seeing how much people pay for them.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Robert and Glenn about keeping toys wrapped up being some how unethical. It is funny to here that games can go bad inside their wrapping.
ReplyDeleteOne of the ironies of the Basic Set was that to my knowledge, Dad never signed a copy. I am afraid he didn't consider it to really be his to sign.
In terms of intrinsic, rather than collector, value, an unopened game is surely worthless. Because its only worth lies in the joy of playing it. I'm sure there are aliens laughing at us.
ReplyDeleteAny game I buy for over a thousand smackers is damn well YES getting opened and played right then & there! C'mon everyone! Grandma! Get over here & start rolling dice! I don't care if you never heard of a hobbit before Uncle Joe, get your happy a** over here & figure out how many spells your MU knows!
ReplyDeleteNo, Jenny get that crayon out of your little brother's mouth and cut those chits out! Screw the Christmas carolers! We're playing D and *****ing D!
Chris Holmes I have seen a signed copy, but just once. It was owned by a TSR employee, IIRC. I'll see if I can dig up the pic, which I believe was posted on the Acaeum
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you can smell the 70's when you crack open the shrinkwrap...
ReplyDeleteNot only can you smell the 70s in there, Ron, but when you remove the shrink wrap the ghostly notes of the theme from Beretta emit faintly from the box.
ReplyDelete~wakka-chicka-wakka-chicka-wakka-chicka~
ReplyDeleteBeretta? Starsky & Hutch! Charlie's Angels! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow about that sad theme from the end of the Incredible Hulk, particularly the last two somber notes? youtube.com - The Lonely Man Theme - The Incredible Hulk TV Series
ReplyDelete