I guess I’ve always been a collector at heart. I’m definitely a completist. I’d find an author that I liked and I’d buy up all their works. Where possible, I’m particularly fond of buying books that look like part of a series (matching spines, covers, style, etc.), as they look good on a shelf.
When we moved into our new house, Tiffany and I got glass doors fitted on all the bookcases. This was partly so that our birds wouldn’t go chewing on them, but it also helps to keep them relatively dust free, and it makes them look special. Particularly for the limited edition RPG book collection I’ve amassed, we had shelves in an oak cabinet with glass doors reinforced. Today, the crowning jewel of my collection to date arrived. This isn’t going on any ordinary shelf. This one’s going in a glass case once I get it ordered.
This is the Temple Edition of Call of Cthulhu.
Unlike the leatherette Limited Edition which came in a single slipcase, the Temple Edition has individual slipcases for both the Keeper’s Rulebook and Investigators Handbook. Both slipcases and the books themselves feature a gold version of the original artwork used for the 1st Edition rulebook.
The side of the slipcases, with individual titles. The colour is very close to the leatherette Limited Edition.
The hubbed spines of both books in their slipcases. I’ve always loved books with hubbed spines – definitely makes them look like real tomes.
The reverse of the slipcases, with the two Elder Signs which designate their contents. These are echoed on the books themselves.
The front of the Keeper’s Rulebook, with the 1st Edition artwork cover and hubbed spine. The book is bound in a wonderful red goat leather.
The back of the Keeper’s Rulebook with its Elder Sign. The pages have gold gilt edges.
The main difference of the interior, the Keeper’s Rulebook opens with a different front page, the immortal line “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn” and a box beneath stating that my copy is number 2 of 25. I wish I’d been able to get number 1 during the Kickstarter campaign, but I simply didn’t have the cash for it.
Also contained in the interior of the Keeper’s Rulebook slipcase is a poster of the map of Arkham, unfolding to four-times the size of the front cover of the book. It also helps to protect the gold artwork on the front cover when sliding in and out of the case.
The Investigators Handbook is very similar from the front, although noticeably thinner, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.
The Elder Sign on the reverse of the Investigators Handbook, along with its gilt edges. I keep thinking the line from A Shoggoth on the Roof – “use the star and you’ll be fighting off the Old Ones with your bare hands!”
The same front page from the Keeper’s Rulebook is found in the Investigators Handbook, confirming this from set 2 of 25.
Inside the Investigators Handbook slipcase is a poster of the world map, again unfolding to four times the size of the cover, and protecting the front cover when sliding in and out of the case.
In a large white envelope alongside the very well packaged books is a piece of original artwork depicting one of the Mythos Gods. It is protected in a plastic folder with a sheet of paper to prevent smudges.
Yibb-Tstll in all its glory, complete with human silhouette for scale.
I’m over the moon to finally have this tome in my collection. While I have four more editions to track down until I have a complete collection, this one will be treasured forever.
Fabulous!
Gorgeous, thanks for sharing!
Wow, Matt! That is awesome! Thanks for sharing! 🙂