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Post by marman on Jan 20, 2018 23:34:16 GMT
I really want to read this book. I have tried to find it secondhand and it's sooo expensive. Does anyone have any suggestiosn on how to get it cheaper?
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Jan 20, 2018 23:49:43 GMT
I really want to read this book. I have tried to find it secondhand and it's sooo expensive. Does anyone have any suggestiosn on how to get it cheaper? You definitely mean Vault of the Vampire rather than Revenge of the Vampire? I'd have thought a cheap copy of Vault would crop up from time to time. I mean you could chuck in a low bid on this one for a start. Also you should keep an eye on our Trading Post sub-forum (this thread might have been better there – it may be moved there by the mods). There are also copyright-busting copies on pdf around the web which can be downloaded for free, but I'm not going to link to those directly from here. It is a good one. Hope you find and enjoy.  |
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Jan 21, 2018 22:16:30 GMT
I really want to read this book. I have tried to find it secondhand and it's sooo expensive. Does anyone have any suggestiosn on how to get it cheaper? I have just had a look on a site about a river and I cannot believe the prices start at £40. This is for Vault by the way. If you want Revenge, the later title, I would suggest a hefty sum would be involved and even then it is likely to be damaged/falling to pieces etc. I do have a copy of Vault I might part with but what is a reasonable price or market value? £39.50? |
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Post by jnicol on Jun 19, 2019 22:04:36 GMT
During the past few weeks since rediscovering FF I have started to build a small collection of Puffin, Wizard and Scholastic editions.
My main interest is in reading the books, not displaying them, though I confess to being attracted to older editions when I spot a good deal.
However having recently acquired a star edition of Chaos and an early edition of Shamutanti Hills, I am realising that books of this age are in danger of falling apart at the seams, so to speak. My copy of Shamutanti was literally losing pages despite being described by the seller as being in "good" condition (I am in the process of getting a refund). My copy of Chaos ("very good condition") is intact, but it feels delicate enough that I'm nervous to read it.
Those of you who collect older editions: do you actually read the books, or just display them?
I had no qualms about chucking my Wizard City of Thieves in a backpack to read during my commute, but I don't think I'd want to treat a Puffin edition the same way. Maybe I'm being too precious.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Jun 19, 2019 23:18:44 GMT
During the past few weeks since rediscovering FF I have started to build a small collection of Puffin, Wizard and Scholastic editions. My main interest is in reading the books, not displaying them, though I confess to being attracted to older editions when I spot a good deal. However having recently acquired a star edition of Chaos and an early edition of Shamutanti Hills, I am realising that books of this age are in danger of falling apart at the seams, so to speak. My copy of Shamutanti was literally losing pages despite being described by the seller as being in "good" condition (I am in the process of getting a refund). My copy of Chaos ("very good condition") is intact, but it feels delicate enough that I'm nervous to read it. Those of you who collect older editions: do you actually read the books, or just display them? I had no qualms about chucking my Wizard City of Thieves in a backpack to read during my commute, but I don't think I'd want to treat a Puffin edition the same way. Maybe I'm being too precious. I bought 1-15 and Sorcery during the 1980s though I did not take very good care of Warlock where the pages are intact but there is a terrible crease in the spine of the book. I carelessly wrote onto a piece of paper lying on top of Citadel so it is marked. Some of the paper has become like parchment especially Shamutanti. I took fairly good care of the other books. Again unfortunately I stopped buying the books with Rings though I bought Trial when I saw it in WH Smith. I wish I had bought the others but the years 1983-1985 speak for themselves where I would have been about 11 to 13 years of age. The last 5 years of the 1980s I was something of a gaming junkie. I was undiagnosed but I think both the books and games are built on a structure which appeals to the autistic mindset. The other unfortunate thing is during the late 1980s I kept the books on a shelf which faced a window so the spines have faded a great deal. I now keep them in a cupboard with doors. The only fortunate thing is I never wrote on the books when I was young. I always used a piece of paper so it was always to hand. I am wondering whether to attend Fest 3 to see if I can sell some of my books. I am paranoid about transporting them safely as I do not drive. Like Alvy Singer in Annie Hall I have too much hostility. |
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Post by jnicol on Jun 19, 2019 23:38:26 GMT
I bought 1-15 and Sorcery during the 1980s though I did not take very good care of Warlock where the pages are intact but there is a terrible crease in the spine of the book. I carelessly wrote onto a piece of paper lying on top of Citadel so it is marked. Some of the paper has become like parchment especially Shamutanti. I took fairly good care of the other books. Again unfortunately I stopped buying the books with Rings though I bought Trial when I saw it in WH Smith. I wish I had bought the others but the years 1983-1985 speak for themselves where I would have been about 11 to 13 years of age. The last 5 years of the 1980s I was something of a gaming junkie. I was undiagnosed but I think both the books and games are built on a structure which appeals to the autistic mindset. The other unfortunate thing is during the late 1980s I kept the books on a shelf which faced a window so the spines have faded a great deal. I now keep them in a cupboard with doors. The only fortunate thing is I never wrote on the books when I was young. I always used a piece of paper so it was always to hand. I am wondering whether to attend Fest 3 to see if I can sell some of my books. I am paranoid about transporting them safely as I do not drive. Like Alvy Singer in Annie Hall I have too much hostility. Good on you for hanging on to your original books! It sounds like you have treated them well, other than the faded spines. Even as kids we knew not to write on the adventure sheets, but to judge by the FF books on eBay it was common practice to do so. To keep my anxiety levels as low as possible I think I will focus on Wizard editions for gameplay, and only buy Puffins when they’re not available in other formats. It’s a shame Scholastic didn’t use the original illustrations, or their books would be a no-brainer. |
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Post by dragonwarrior8 on Jun 19, 2019 23:43:09 GMT
I have bought them to read but I enjoy displaying them as well. Although really, all you see in the bookcase is the spine which is kind of a shame because I love the covers and many of them bring back great memories. It might be a bit overboard but a glass case to display them all would be cool. lol. I wonder if anyone here has done anything like that or how do you display so you can see the covers?
I didn't treat mine very well either back in the 80s. They got tossed around pretty liberally, left outside, etc. It was really just something that never occurred to me quite frankly that I would be treasuring them 30 years later. The same was true with my GI Joe figures. I wish I had taken better care of them but when you are 10 years old its not really front of your mind.
Its funny when you mention the condition because I started out trying to get the most pristine copies I could and managed to get quite a few that looked like they had never been opened. My City of Thieves looked like it had come right off the press. The problem was I was then reluctant to play them because it seemed a shame to crease anything. lol. I obtained a pristine set of the Falcon books (books 1-4 anyway) that Im going to be afraid to play for this reason and its a little bit crazy when you think about it. I mean that's their purpose. Im just anal about damaging anything that looks new I guess.
So now its strange but I prefer any books I get to actually be a bit beat up already when I get them. I don't feel guilty that way for some reason.
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Post by jnicol on Jun 20, 2019 1:39:37 GMT
Its funny when you mention the condition because I started out trying to get the most pristine copies I could and managed to get quite a few that looked like they had never been opened. My original City of Thieves looked like it had come right off the press. The problem was I was then reluctant to play them because it seemed a shame to crease anything. lol. I obtained a pristine set of the Falcon books (books 1-4 anyway) that Im going to be afraid to play for this reason and its a little bit crazy when you think about it. I mean that's their purpose. Im just anal about damaging anything that looks new I guess. I’m glad I am not the only one! It’s like that thing of collecting toys mint in box, and never being able to touch them for fear of causing damage. First World problems, eh! |
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kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,453
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on Jun 20, 2019 5:13:45 GMT
My collection spends its time in shoe boxes I'm afraid - I have a mixture of Puffin and Wizard editions and I don't mind since I primarily want to read them and look at the (original!) illustrations.
The idea of a complete mint Puffin set has a certain appeal but I don't lose any sleep that my collection is mismatched and battered (though I like to keep them in good nick as much as I can).
I've had to replace 2 books that were falling apart - Deathtrap Dungeon and Master of Chaos (both I'd had since being a child and was a lot more rough then - I used to use dice as bookmarks!) I also replaced Fangs of Fury as the first copy I got off ebay had certain options circled in pencil which annoyed me no end.
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vagsancho
Knight
Posts: 809 
Favourite Gamebook Series: CRYPT OF THE SORCERER
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Post by vagsancho on Jun 20, 2019 12:38:38 GMT
Connection with Fighting Fantasy books.. Vice or virtue.. I would dare to say that there is nobody normal in this fighting fantazine site.. Nobody here is a normal person.. Not even me.
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Post by schlendrian on Jun 21, 2019 8:50:45 GMT
The FFs I bought in the late 90s/early 00s were anthologies containing three books each. I don't think I mishandled them that much, perhaps they were just cheaply produced, but they have fallen to pieces a couple years ago. To get to your question, I just read and don't display, so I punched holes into the pages, put them into folder and can now read them without having to worry about the condition anymore.
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Post by jnicol on Jun 21, 2019 12:33:14 GMT
I punched holes into the pages, put them into folder and can now read them without having to worry about the condition anymore. I like your style! |
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jun 27, 2019 19:51:16 GMT
Those of you who collect older editions: do you actually read the books, or just display them? I had no qualms about chucking my Wizard City of Thieves in a backpack to read during my commute, but I don't think I'd want to treat a Puffin edition the same way. Maybe I'm being too precious. I read and display. My old Puffin editions (with the exception of a few of the earliest ones) are in generally good condition and I think they were well-made in the first place, so all I'm careful about is not breaking or creasing the spine or causing any further sort of damage.
As for the second point there - don't worry, you are not alone!
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Post by stevendoig on Jun 27, 2019 20:06:14 GMT
I've always liked any books I own to look a bit knackered - it shows how much I enjoyed them! I do have all mine on display in a bookcase (well, I say on display, they are in a wee box room where no one but me ever ventures...
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Blackheart
Squire
Formerly known as Symm. Razaak raised me from the dead.
Posts: 42
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Blackheart on Nov 21, 2019 12:21:31 GMT
Does anybody know which of the gamebooks had the lowest print run?
Must be one from 51-59 IMHO...
...and if I had to guess I'd say it was ROTV. |
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Nov 21, 2019 13:50:43 GMT
The Warlock Of Firetop Mountain
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Post by dragonwarrior8 on Nov 21, 2019 14:40:08 GMT
Not sure about actual print runs but judging by the selling prices its Revenge of the Vampire with Magehunter a close second. The re-issue of Curse of the Mummy drove the price of the first edition of that one down a bit or it would probably be up there too.
I wish I had cleaned out my local bookstores of these back in the 90s. lol. (If they even carried any!). I wonder how cheaply you could have gotten them for second-hand even 10 years ago.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Nov 21, 2019 19:44:55 GMT
Yeah, my guess is probably 55-59 for the smallest print runs.
Is that sort of information even available now?
Would Puffin Books have kept records of it?
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Post by stevendoig on Nov 21, 2019 21:06:09 GMT
my wife bought me books 52 - 59 about 12 years ago. all on ebay. i think the most expensive at the time was revenge at £28. for about six months i was missing deathmoor because she had a max budget of £30 per book - eventually she found one she got for £15.
that was a great christmas surprise
edited coz she spent more than i thought!
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Blackheart
Squire
Formerly known as Symm. Razaak raised me from the dead.
Posts: 42
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Blackheart on Nov 22, 2019 9:56:42 GMT
Yeah, my guess is probably 55-59 for the smallest print runs. Is that sort of information even available now? Would Puffin Books have kept records of it? These two are the essential questions! Has anybody a contact at Puffin Books? |
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Post by dragonwarrior8 on Nov 22, 2019 14:58:57 GMT
my wife bought me books 52 - 59 about 12 years ago. all on ebay. i think the most expensive at the time was revenge at £28. for about six months i was missing deathmoor because she had a max budget of £30 per book - eventually she found one she got for £15. that was a great christmas surprise edited coz she spent more than i thought! Thats awesome! I would have been over the moon with those gifts. Meanwhile, a copy of Revenge of the Vampire recently sold for £300 (although that seems to be an outlier). Talk about inflation! |
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Blackheart
Squire
Formerly known as Symm. Razaak raised me from the dead.
Posts: 42
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Blackheart on Nov 25, 2019 6:58:28 GMT
my wife bought me books 52 - 59 about 12 years ago. all on ebay. i think the most expensive at the time was revenge at £28. for about six months i was missing deathmoor because she had a max budget of £30 per book - eventually she found one she got for £15. that was a great christmas surprise edited coz she spent more than i thought! Thats awesome! I would have been over the moon with those gifts. Meanwhile, a copy of Revenge of the Vampire recently sold for £300 (although that seems to be an outlier). Talk about inflation! Yes, let's talk inflation:
ibb.co/NSNdDQg
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vagsancho
Knight
Posts: 809
Favourite Gamebook Series: CRYPT OF THE SORCERER
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Post by vagsancho on Nov 26, 2019 14:30:59 GMT
Thats awesome! I would have been over the moon with those gifts. Meanwhile, a copy of Revenge of the Vampire recently sold for £300 (although that seems to be an outlier). Talk about inflation! Yes, let's talk inflation:
ibb.co/NSNdDQg
Was this book written with gold ink, does its words produce an orgasmic pleasure in the reader? Will I cross the confines of this universe if I read it? |
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Post by marblefigure on Dec 12, 2019 14:08:23 GMT
You haven’t played it?
And answering your question, no, but it had some good ideas as well as flaws.
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vagsancho
Knight
Posts: 809
Favourite Gamebook Series: CRYPT OF THE SORCERER
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Post by vagsancho on Dec 13, 2019 23:38:44 GMT
For this christmas, eventually my last, i only ask from you to send me a Crypt of the Sorcerer brand new book as Christmas present.
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Post by stevendoig on Apr 11, 2020 21:08:21 GMT
Just been looking at my display of Greenspines and I noticed a curious thing . Chasms Of Malice is noticeably shorter than the rest! Is it just my copy?
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Post by The Count on Apr 11, 2020 22:16:17 GMT
With any book, I always try to look after it - a good bookmark helps, and with FF a handy notepad with which to write down the current reference.
I had a massive music collection for many years, and as the vast majority of it was second hand, I always got annoyed at paying a high price for a rare item in poor condition. Tatty sleeves and scratched cases ended up being used for listening. When I ended up selling it, anything I deemed to be less than good condition got put into bargain basement lots.
If you have no intention of selling it on, then I would do what you are most comfortable with.
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Post by Peter on Apr 12, 2020 9:31:31 GMT
Just been looking at my display of Greenspines and I noticed a curious thing . Chasms Of Malice is noticeably shorter than the rest! Is it just my copy? Not mine, although Midnight Rogue is slightly shorter. I'm thinking that, while there is a standard size for books, ultimately it is likely to come down to a person who puts something into a position somewhere, resulting in slight discrepancies between print runs. |
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Post by a moderator on Apr 12, 2020 12:13:23 GMT
Part of the reason I created my gamebook manager was to make it possible to play without causing additional wear and tear to the books.
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Post by stevendoig on Apr 12, 2020 16:15:41 GMT
Not a bad idea! as i've posted i don't mind my gamebooks looking knackered, however on my last playthrough of 'Battleblade Warrior' the front cover became completely detached!  |
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