The Ringbearer (Little Soldier Games, 1975): A Look at the 4 Printings

Little Soldier Games, better known (using that term loosely!) for early Dungeons & Dragons supplements, also released an unauthorized game based on Tolkien’s Middle Earth: The Ringbearer.

The 1970s were rife with Middle Earth places, personages, and plots lifted sans permission into games and books. I sold a “Conquest of the Ring” boardgame years ago.

Another example: I have a “Middle Earth Wargames Rules: Mordor & The West” for sale at the moment.

D&D wasn’t immune to the trend either. The earlier printings of Dungeons & Dragons had references to Hobbits, Ents, and Balrogs.

Even major book publisher Ace Books was so bold as to print their own Lord of the Rings series! (Ballantine was the authorized publisher). These unauthorized Ace editions are quite rare today.

So one could scarcely blame Little Soldier Games for getting on the bandwagon.

The Ringbearer had 4 distinct printings. I have a 1st printing going to auction today, and so I’ll post photos and information here, along with the later prints for reference.

The Ringbearer rare 1st edition auction on Ebay ended 20 Feb 2024 at $134.27 in 17 bids.

Ringbearer, 1st Print (Tan, 24 pages)

Ringbearer, 1st Print [1975 … Dan Bress & Ed Konstant & Wendell Hill (illustration) … 24 pages]

This initial printing is the only to have direct references to Middle Earth properties. It includes a map setup for tabletop games, but all the locations have been seemingly put in a blender.

These 1st prints came in two varieties: A single staple in the middle, and two staples. It’s not clear which came first.

Ringbearer, 2nd Print (Tan, 40 pages)

Second printing looks identical on the outside. Page count is now 40 pages, with quite a bit of new material. With a new play map, expanded, renamed, and placed in the centerfold. The serial numbers have been filed-off everything. Hobbits are now Halflings, Mirkwood is now Myrkwood, etc. (Yet Gandalf is still called out by name!).

Gamescience now appears to be the distribution company going forward. There is a Little Soldier products list in the back.

Thanks to Mark (“mdpetric” on Ebay) for allowing me to use his photos from his auction. (LINK)

Ringbearer, x Print (Olive, 40 pages)

The next two prints, it’s not clear which order they were. This one has an olive color cover. Interior is the same as the tan print. Product list now shows the Wharton address for LS.

Thanks again to Mark (“mdpetric” on Ebay). (LINK)