In 1974, the world changed forever when Gary Gygax introduced the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The legacy of his innovative ideas and the extensive reach of his powerful influence can be seen in virtually every facet of gaming today.
To help honor his work and his memory, we created limited-edition reprints of the original 1st Edition core rulebooks: the Monster Manual, Player's Handbook, and Dungeon Master's Guide. These premium versions of the original AD&D rulebooks have been lovingly reprinted with the original art and content, but feature an attractive new cover design commemorating this re-release. Available in limited quantities as a hobby channel exclusive in North America.
Your purchase of this monumental book helps support the Gygax Memorial Fund—established to immortalize the “Father of Roleplaying Games” with a memorial statue in Lake Geneva, WI.
To further introduce the fund, we asked Gail Gygax for a few words regarding the project.
Wizards of the Coast: For those who may not be aware, can you please introduce us to the Gygax Memorial Fund? What are you looking to achieve to honor the memory of Gary Gygax?
Gail Gygax: The Gygax Memorial Fund was set up to procure a memorial to Gary Gygax. Gary wanted a memorial, a bust of him to be set in a location in Lake Geneva. A place for his fans to come visit.
Wizards of the Coast: Where is the project currently, in terms of phases? What’s next?
Gail Gygax: The city of Lake Geneva has granted land in Donian Park. We just need to get the funds raised and the project approved. Stefan Pokorny of Dwarven Forge has donated his talents as sculptor.
Wizards of the Coast: WotC is re-releasing the 1st Edition Monster Manual, Player's Handbook, and Dungeon Master's Guide, with purchase of these books helping us to contribute to the fund. What else can gamers do to get involved? How else can they help?
Gail Gygax: We need money, of course. And all greetings of well-wishes in the form of emails to gygaxmemorialfund.com are welcome, as I would like to present those to our City Council.
Wizards of the Coast: Most of us know Gary through his roleplaying games; we never had the chance to meet him personally, but only through the game we played. How would you like Gary to be remembered as a person as well as the father of RPGs?
Gail Gygax: Gary loved the fact that he created D&D and was the father of RPGs and what he gave to the world: men and women coming together and developing friendships and learning. At Gen Con 40 (in 2007) he was overwhelmed with fans relating to him his importance on his work through which they developed lifelong relationships: lifelong friends, marital partners and extended families—all through gaming. What a gift! By that he was truly joyful and comforted.
