TSR Photos from 1982 from TSR's D&D display at the American Bookseller's Association

[40below]

In 1982, my author mom dragged my brother and I (I was 12) to the American Bookseller's Association convention in Anaheim, CA. While there, we were thrilled to discover that the company that published the game we were quickly learning to love was demoing it! I stumbled on a few photos from the table where we played, and I thought others might be interested in this shot from the earlier history of the game. (The convention is discussed in this article from the Washington Post, by the way, which makes brief mention of TSR's presence.)

Anyone out there recognize the person in the white shirt and striped tie demoing the game, by the way?

(Edited to fix incomplete sentence.)

 

[aco175]

Bravo. I remember going to a few conventions when I was that age. My mom wanted nothing to do with our stupid game, but my father still plays along with one of my brothers. The other gave it up sometime in high school.

 

[MNblockhead]

In 1982, my author mom dragged my brother and I (I was 12) to the American Bookseller's Association convention in Anaheim, CA. While there, we were thrilled to discover that the company that published the game we were quickly learning to love. I stumbled on a few photos from the table where we played, and I thought others might be interested in this shot from the earlier history of the game. (The convention is discussed in this article from the Washington Post, by the way, which makes brief mention of TSR's presence.)

Anyone out there recognize the person in the white shirt and striped tie demoing the game, by the way?

Not sure who the guy demoing the game is. But I was excited to see the Star Frontiers boxed set on display in the background.

 

[Orcslayer78]

That's beautiful!

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Is it Jim Ward?

 

[40below]

Is it Jim Ward?

I think it might be … but I don’t know how to contact him to ask.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Matches up with these era-appropriate photos.

 

[40below]

Sure does. I think that may be the very same shirt in the color photo!

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Aww, that is so cool.