Another 40th Anniversary…
OD&D Men & Magic cover
It’s the 40th Anniversary of the release of Original Dungeons & Dragons (OD&D)! As Jon Peterson has already chronicled, sometime in January 1974 was the original public release date for Original Dungeons & Dragons. It is a anniversary well worth celebrating, as it was the start of a huge shift in popular culture around the world.
Somewhat less well known is the fact that Michael Mornard – better known as “Old Geezer” in online RPG forums – was the person who introduced Professsor Barker to OD&D in the fall of 1973. Professor Barker was the faculty advisor for the Conflict Simulation Association (CSA), a student organization at the University of Minnesota. Michael began attending meetings of the CSA, and it was there he began running his own OD&D game, and as a result, gave Professor Barker an opportunity to experience OD&D. Later, in early 1974, Professor Barker produced the “green cover” or “mimeo” set of rules for what would become Empire of the Petal Throne.
As part of the process of cataloging Professor Barker’s vast collection of games and material related to Tekumel, we discovered Professor Barker’s copy of OD&D. When we looked inside the covers, though, we discovered that Professor Barker not only signed the books but dated them as well. We hope you enjoy these photos, courtesy of Bob Alberti.
OD&D Men & Magic inside cover with Prof. Barker’s signature
OD&D Monsters & Treasure cover
OD&D Monsters & Treasure inside cover with Prof. Barker’s signature
OD&D Underworld and Wilderness Adventures cover
OD&D Underworld and Wilderness Adventures inside cover with Prof. Barker’s signature
And don’t forget about Dave Arneson’s signature on the front covers. A really great set of photos.
Reblogged this on sailorcallie.
Known on many other forums, especially D&D forums, as “Gronan of Simmerya,” my first D&D character.
What is that blue stamp? Why the “WG” in the corner?
The blue stamp (actually a shade of green) is the stamp Professor Barker used to identify books he owned. The “WG” is something of a mystery to me; perhaps someone who was around at the time might know.
It is some form of Arabic seal.
Nice!
Real nice touch with the signatures.
http://blackmoorcastle.com/
did he categorize. WG for Wargame?
Howard – that makes some sense. I’ll take a look and see if that appears in other items in storage at the studio.