Post by waysoftheearth on May 16, 2010 5:41:06 GMT -6
Further to my effort to compare the 1st and 6th prints, here are some additional trivia regarding stock and size which you may or may not find interesting...
The 1st print Dungeons & Dragons boxed set (3LBBs and reference sheets inclusive) weighs 330g (11.5oz), and is 222mm tall, 152mm wide and 40mm deep.
The 6th print Original Collector's Edition (3LBBs and reference sheets inclusive) is substantially lighter, weighing 220g (8oz), and also slightly bigger. It is 234mm tall, 157mm wide and 40mm deep.
Meaning; The 6th print boxed set is larger and lighter than the 1st print.
As for the 3LBBs inside, perhaps surprisingly, the reverse is true regarding size. The 1st print Men & Magic weighs 70g (~2.5oz) and is 217mm tall and 143mm wide. The 6th pring Men & Magic weighs 50g (~2oz) and is 213mm tall and 138mm wide.
Thus the 6th print 3LBBs are smaller and lighter than the 1st print.
My guess is that the box itself was probably made larger in later prints because the booklets are a very tight fit in the 1st print. In fact, with the 1st print, the 3LBBs just barely fit into the box -- the booklets are wedged in so snuggly they won't fall out if you turn the open box upside down!
Additionally, the lighter stock of the box and 3LBBs in the 6th print would almost certainly have saved TSR a few dollars in printing costs. But it does make for a less sturdy and less impressive product.
Here are a few photographs so you can see for yourself...
Here you can see the difference in box size and booklet fit -- 1st print is on the left, 6th print is on the right. You may also be able to discern that the 1st print box itself is of substantially thicker stock.
Here you can see the difference in booklet size -- the (larger) 1st print Men & Magic is standing behind the (smaller) 6th print Men & Magic.
Here you can (just about) see the difference in the thickness of the cover stock. The 1st print is the larger, outer booklet. The 6th print is the smaller, inner booklet.
edit : corrected metric:imperial conversion.
The 1st print Dungeons & Dragons boxed set (3LBBs and reference sheets inclusive) weighs 330g (11.5oz), and is 222mm tall, 152mm wide and 40mm deep.
The 6th print Original Collector's Edition (3LBBs and reference sheets inclusive) is substantially lighter, weighing 220g (8oz), and also slightly bigger. It is 234mm tall, 157mm wide and 40mm deep.
Meaning; The 6th print boxed set is larger and lighter than the 1st print.
As for the 3LBBs inside, perhaps surprisingly, the reverse is true regarding size. The 1st print Men & Magic weighs 70g (~2.5oz) and is 217mm tall and 143mm wide. The 6th pring Men & Magic weighs 50g (~2oz) and is 213mm tall and 138mm wide.
Thus the 6th print 3LBBs are smaller and lighter than the 1st print.
My guess is that the box itself was probably made larger in later prints because the booklets are a very tight fit in the 1st print. In fact, with the 1st print, the 3LBBs just barely fit into the box -- the booklets are wedged in so snuggly they won't fall out if you turn the open box upside down!
Additionally, the lighter stock of the box and 3LBBs in the 6th print would almost certainly have saved TSR a few dollars in printing costs. But it does make for a less sturdy and less impressive product.
Here are a few photographs so you can see for yourself...
Here you can see the difference in box size and booklet fit -- 1st print is on the left, 6th print is on the right. You may also be able to discern that the 1st print box itself is of substantially thicker stock.
Here you can see the difference in booklet size -- the (larger) 1st print Men & Magic is standing behind the (smaller) 6th print Men & Magic.
Here you can (just about) see the difference in the thickness of the cover stock. The 1st print is the larger, outer booklet. The 6th print is the smaller, inner booklet.
edit : corrected metric:imperial conversion.
