Dungeons & Dragons (1974)

The 1974 woodgrain boxed set, first printing This is where the hobby begins: three small booklets, Men & Magic, Monsters & Treasure and Underworld & Wilderness Adventures, in a woodgrain-patterned box. The first run of about 1,000 hand-assembled sets had sold out by the end of 1974, which is why a first printing sits at the very top of most want lists. Only the first three printings have the woodgrain graphics; later copies came in a white box. Early booklets still mention hobbits, ents and balrogs, references that were removed later, which helps date a loose set. Most collectors settle happily for a later white box, which reads the same at the table.