I don't want to be a D&D collector

[Quasqueton]

Twenty years ago, I used to mark up my D&D books (rule books, adventure modules, whatever) with pencil, crayons, pens, etc. I made notes in the margins. I crossed out whole encounters. I highlighted notes.

Now, I am loathe to make any marks in any of my books. I think of everything as a potential collector's item. I hate that. But I can't *make* myself mark up a book. I have written my name, very carefully, on the inside cover of my PHB, just to make sure I can ID it among all the PHBs at the game table. But other than that one thing, I can't *make* myself mark up any D&D book.

I hate this mindset. But I can't stop thinking of these books as valuable beyond the use in gaming.

I still have many of my old Star Wars figures. They are scratched and worn. Some are even marked with magic marker. But now adays, I refuse to buy any Star Wars figures because I couldn't bring myself to open one and "ruin" the collectability.

Am I alone in this? Am I crazy?

Quasqueton

 

[Anime Kidd]

You ain't alone. I can't bring myself to even write in my own PHB, even though I got two. I also don't like it when anyone puts any drink, even pop cans, within spilling distance. It just bothers me so much when anyone does that.

The way I look at it though is that the books nowadays cost a bit more then they use to and I really don't want to go and shell out more cash for a damaged book.

 

[Henry]

Whenever I find that I have slipped into this mold, I bang my head forcefully into a large chunk of steel, if available. (Trees are a good second). It clears the problem up immensely.

The collector mindset has only come to us since the early 1990's. The surest way to overcome it is to remind yourself that TENS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of these things were printed and sold, and furthermore, it's THOUSANDS among THOUSANDS in the intervening years. Those things which are collectible stand out in some way by virtue of their uniqueness, rarity, or both. Chances are that the majority of all D&D materials will never be worth anything, short of the use you put into them. While it's always a good idea to take care of your stuff, don't ever let "collector's fear" cage you into lack of its use, because in the end, you have stuff 90% of which is diminished in value, and for which you have NO fond memories.

Me, I'd rather have the good times and damage that heavily used item than resell it later for a little more than I put into it. People would probably look at me in shock and dismay for the wear and tear I've put on my First Print Run PHB 3.0 from August 2000, that I picked up at Gencon, and signed with a dozen ENWorlder signatures including Eric Noah. But it's my book; I played with it, and the memories of two dozen exciting D&D campaigns in the past 4 years have more than made up for any hesitation I had in socking it away for the past 4 years.

 

[Galethorn]

Alone? No. Crazy? Yes.

 

[Crothian]

I suffer from the same thing but not for the same reason. I don't like to mark up my books but I could care less about the collectibility. There is none really. Even the old first edition books are really not collectibles. I keep finding used ones priced for under ten dollars at used book stores. But I do like to continually use my old books so I don't like to mark them up becasue the newer they look, the easier they are to use.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

Henry said it all. Your 3.0 D&D PHB is never going to be worth anything. Even the 1e PHB can be had for less than $10 on eBay and it's been around for over 20 years. You will not retire on your D&D RPG collection's value and there are very, very few items that are worth much over cover price.

So, yes, you are crazy

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

Hi-

Guy's I really would not get to wrapped up in the collectors mindset. Alot of that old D&D stuff does not sell very well anymore except your oddest or very very rare item. Even Queen of the demon web pits does not sell like it used to. Plus, you can go to eBay and get most of the books you might need at a fraction of the cost.

Scott

 

[Morpheus]

I try to take care of my hardcovers, but I am not an*l-retentive about it. As for the modules: rip, tear, cut, put in fbinders with plastic sleeves-voila! Easy-to-use adventure that is more function than form.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

How does not wanting to write in your books make you a collector? I just plain don't like writing in my books, and I'm not collecting these things. If I have things to go with them, changes to make, etc, I may throw a piece of paper in there, but I just don't like writing in my books. Never have.

 

[CronoDekar]

I wouldn't consider myself a collector, but I still hate marking up my books for a reason I'm not precisely sure of. I think it's just a form of perfectionism more than anything for me. If there was significant errata or 3.5 conversion to something I would be likely to use (and couldn't remember otherwise), then MAYBE I would mark up a book, but otherwise I won't.

Strangely though, while I loathe writing in a book or accidentally ripping a page, I don't mind it so much if the book has a rip or is written in. I'm just weird.