Monday, December 29, 2008

Many Ways To Support Our Troops, Part II




The following are some of the charitable organizations help send support and gifts, cards, and care packages to our troops:

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/index.aspx
http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/- Support the troops through gifts and sponsored mail.
http://www.anysoldier.com - Sponsor care packages to servicemembers in Iraq.
http://www.certifichecks.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/cgi-bin/web06/affil_template.pl?U+affil+dydc5670ff854085+aafes_l52598+aafes_l52598+dydc5670ff854085+NULL+welcome - Purchase gift certificates for active and hospitalized servicemembers.
http://www.bluestarmothers.org/mc/page.do - Organizes postcards to troops and care packages, and is currently petitioning Congress for reduced air fares for servicemembers.
http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/ - Donate books, movies, and more.
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/ - Donate your old cell phones, which pay for calling cards for our troops.
http://www.commissaries.com/certificheck/ - Give the gift of groceries -- buy or donate gift certificates.
http://www.gi-bracelet.org/- Buy a bracelet to support the troops, and contribute to a fund of your choice.
http://homefronthugs.com/page17.html - Contribute to care packages, or adopt a servicemember.
http://operationmilitarypride.org/ - Sends letters, care packages, and gifts overseas.
https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=565&- Sponsor a care package for $25.
http://www.treatsfortroops.com/- Purchase care packages for Soldiers.
http://www.wounedwarriorproject.org - Support wounded heroes returning home.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net



The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. . . . waiting for attack!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Loetz, Part II of a Two-Part Article




Loetz glass was now exported and exhibited across the world. Bakalowitz & Sohn were their distributers in Vienna, F. Kraska & Co. in London, Salon Diespeker in Paris, Ludwig Frenkel in Berlin, and Ernst Cordes in Hamburg. They began to develop even more varied techniques. 'Octopus' is sensational. It consists of a glass with an air-trap design and a casing probably in clear glass, and is finely gilded in a continuous wriggle of gold. In 1893, they produced 'Columbia' glass for the World Fair in Chicago. This was an iridescent Venetian style glass with applied medallions of Columbus. The famous 'Papillon' glass in 1899, was an iridescent glass with a concentrated and random spotted effect, often in blue, red or gold. 'Phanomenon' was also iridescent, but this time consisted of fine and concentrated trails of glass embedded into the surface. In 1901 Loetz did a series of shells in the Phanomenon decoration. 'Rusticana' was slightly less exuberant with a plainer colouring, still iridescent, and with a surface moulded to give a feel of bark striations and dimples. 'Formosa' consisted of raised applied glass threads zig-zaging around the main body of the glass vase.

But this just scratches at the surface of the range of decoration invented by Loetz. The shapes were predominantly Art Nouveau and there were many thousands of shapes developed at this peak in their output. Shapes included Persian perfume sprinklers, vases with dented and pushed in sides, and many with applied handles. Famous designers who worked for them include Koloman Moser, Marie Kirschner, Joseph Hoffmann, Otto Prutscher, Dagobert Peche, Michel Powolny and Leopold Bauer. Designs by Kirschner and Moser tended to be simple and geometric. Kirschner studied painting and had designed and painted wall hangings before designing for Loetz. Whilst at Loetz she produced more than two hundred designs. Many are in a slightly iridescent translucent purple or cream coloured glass, with applied geometric handles but with no further ornamentation. Koloman Mosers glass was iridescent with strong geometric shapes and many applied handles or loops. While Bauers designs were more figurative and irregular.

In 1904 Loetz began to introduce strongly contrasting glass colours, such as orange changing into blue or yellow into purple via trails and spots of very high iridescence splattered randomly around the glass. Adolf Beckert became artistic director in 1911, and began a series of enamelled tableware in clear and frosted glass. Generally the enamels depicted animals and birds. Also a new range of acid cut cameo with birds, flowers and landscapes. It was very different to the earlier iridescent designs. Loetz went bankrupt in 1911, and eventually became a public company after the First World War. Sadly the company suffered a fire in 1930 and then ceased during the Second World War. Signed Loetz was generally made for export.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net



Resistance is futile, but impedance is much more complex!

Timeshare Users Group (TUG) Offers Free Timeshare Advertising



TIMESHARE USERS GROUP (TUG) OFFERS FREE TIMESHARE ADVERTISING FOR TUG MEMBERS

For those of you who are into timesharing/renting/selling/exchanging
on the various auction/marketplace sites, here is an announcement
from the Timshare Users Group (TUG):

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Unlimited Free Timeshare Ads - TUG Timeshare Marketplace!

Ok folks...its been a long time coming but we have now arrived!

Now available for public use is the latest and greatest Timeshare
Classified ad program provided to you FREE by TUG!

First and foremost to use this new program to post for sale, for rent
or for exchange ads, YOU MUST BE A TUG MEMBER! If you arent one you
can join instantly here: http://tug2.com/jointug

you do not however have to be a TUG member to search the ads...as
they will be open to the public as will the robust search tool!

This new page describes the entire system and has links to post any
and all ads as well as browse/search existing ads!.......

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This new, free timshare classified ad system is called TUG TIMESHARE
MARKETPLACE. Go here for more info:

http://tug2.com/TUGMembers/Login.aspx

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net





Join me at:
http://www.chshops.com/community/
http://www.myspace.com/pennyspantry
http://www.squidoo.com/pennyspantry
http://pennyspantry.blogspot.com
http://www.reallysmartdeals.com?r=58073
http://www.powersellersunite.com/portal.php
http://www.thecrabbyhost.com/

No trees were killed in the transmission of this message, but a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced!

MERRY CHRISTMAS


From Our House to Your House, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net


Online Shopping Malls


OnLine Shopping Malls
Since the first boycott of eBay in February 2005, due to increases in eBay fees and other member restrictions, many former eBay Sellers turned to upstart alternative auction/marketplace sites, in hopes of nurturing a "new eBay",finding a home for their wares, and a place where they could economically do busines.

A few alternative sites have faired well; but most disgrundled
Sellers have found that the bulk of the Buyers still have not
migrated from eBay; and that sales, for the most part, on the
alternative sites have been dismall.

As a result many Sellers, searching for their niche, have decided to
open their own independent website store. Developing a website can
be challenging; but very rewarding. There are hundreds of Online
Mall sites to choose from. Here are a few that I think are promising:

1. http://www.chshops.com
2. http://www.powersellersunite.com/hostingsignup.php
3. http://www.rubylane.com

Check them out and see if they can satisfy your buying and selling needs.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net





Join me at:
http://www.myspace.com/pennyspantry
http://www.squidoo.com/pennyspantry
http://pennyspantry.blogspot.com
http://www.reallysmartdeals.com?r=58073
http://www.powersellersunite.com/portal.php
http://www.thecrabbyhost.com/forum/indix.php
http://www.chshops.com

No trees were killed in the transmission of this message; but a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Why Shop at www.chshops.com




Why Shop at CHShops?

CHShops is an online shopping directory comprised of several independent business owners gathered under one roof and connected by a multi-site search. Similiar to your local shopping mall. Each of these independently owned online shops has an outstanding reputation for offering high quality merchandise and excellent customer service.

We make it easy for you to sit back in the comfort of your own home and shop to your heart's content!

Advantages for Buyers:
One Stop Shopping Site - Find several shops offering a variety of products
Store Previews - no clicking on a blind link like in Google, Yahoo or other search engines
Easy Navigation - both on the main site and on the Shops listed here
Accurate and Reliable Multi-site Search Engine - Easily find a shop selling what you are looking to find
Store Reviews - Shoppers can post and read reviews on the shops
Deal Directly With Each Store Proprietor - Each store has an easily accessible "Contact Us" available
Secure Shopping - All stores have secure SSL encryption
Community Forum Where You can get to Know the Sellers

Join us at http://www.chshops.com for a satisfying Buying and Selling experience!

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Monday, December 22, 2008

Wedgwood Jewelry is now in Penny's Pantry



Wedgwood Jewelry has long been considered the epitome of refined jewelry. It lends dignity and a level of sophistication to the appearance of the man or woman who wears it.
Wedgwood Jewelry used to be very hard to find. Before the advent of Online Shopping, collectors went to estate auctions, antique shops, bazaars, flea markets and jewelry stores to find them. Collectors had to "settle" for only those pieces they could find readily, and pay the price asked for them. Not any more. Thanks to Online Shopping Malls and Markets, collectors can now choose from many more Wedgwood items, at a variety of prices, and increase their collections.

Pictured Above: Wedgwood Jasperware Gold Filled Egyptian Pendant, Circa 1977

We now have Wedgwood Vintage Jewelry in our CHShops.com Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=57_106&products_id=435


copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Sunday, December 21, 2008

AuctionBytes.com Article by Ina Steiner


From the Editor
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
December 21, 2008

Online selling got a lot more complicated in 2008 for small online sellers, with upheaval at eBay and the expansion of multi-channel selling. Next year will bring more change at a time when retail faces economic conditions rougher than we've seen in decades.

Sellers who remain focused and pay attention to their customers and their businesses will survive. Investing in education and website improvements could be wise moves if they can help sellers maintain or increase sales. It may also a good year for small marketplaces that manage to provide value while generating enough resources to keep up with the technology and regulatory challenges of a growing site.

Here are some things we see happening in 2009.

See the entire article here: http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y208/m12/abu0229/s01

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Join us at:
http://www.myspace.com/pennyspantry
http://www.squidoo.com/pennyspantry
http://pennyspantry.blogspot.com
http://www.reallysmartdeals.com?r=58073
http://www.powersellersunite.com/portal.php
http://www.thecrabbyhost.com/forum/indix.php
http://www.chshops.com


Friday, December 19, 2008

Limoges History



Limoges History

The Limoges porcelain sought by collectors today was actually produced by a number of factories in the Limoges region of France from the late 1700s until around 1930. Production did not cease in 1930, however. This arbitrary cutoff date simply denotes a change in the global economy when the styles of Limoges wares notably changed from very elaborate to more basic in design.

At one point in the 1920s as many as 48 companies were producing wares marked Limoges, according to ceramics expert Mary Frank Gaston in The Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges. These pieces weren't only marked Limoges denoting their origin, however. Many pieces had factory marks and even marks showing who decorated each piece.

It's important to understand, however, that the factories operting in the the Limoges region primarily produced elaborately molded white wares. These undecorated pieces, also known as "blanks," were taken to decorating studios away from the factory or exported without decoration. The blanks exported to American soil often ended up in the hands of eager china painting students, with this being a popular hobby for ladies during the late 1800s.

Pictured Above: VINTAGE LIMOGES DESSERT/SALAD PLATE in the MONSOON REGENCY BOUQUETTE pattern. This LimogesUSA vintage item is available, along with other LimogesUSA pieces at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20_39.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Sunday, December 14, 2008

More About Wedgwood, Part IV, Author Unknown


Part IV of on ongoing article on the life and times of Josiah Wedgwood and his Wedgwood Factory.


Josiah Wedgwood, the elder, died January 3, 1795, and, though the works went on after his death, his personal supervision and inspiration could never be replaced. With his death the production of old Wedgwood, as the connoisseur knows it, ceased.

Now as to the Wedgwood wares. In 1754 Wedgwood invented a green glaze that enjoyed some popularity, but the improved cream-colored ware was the earliest that is still extant in any considerable quantity. This ware was light and durable, similar to Leeds ware in appearance, but superior to it in biscuit, glaze, color, and form. Several tones and hues were employed, ranging from pale cream to deep straw, saffron, and sulphur yellow. It is always clear and even in tone, forming a good background for decoration. At first it was plain; later it was decorated in various ways-colored lines, marbled in gold, or decorated with flower, fruit, vine, shell, or Etruscan borders in blue, red, green, black, and brown. Gilt appeared occasionally on pieces made from 1763 to 1765. The color was painted on by hand, at first merely on the surface and later burned in. At first the decorated pieces were rather too expensive, so that later the outlines were printed and the color filled in by hand, but the work was always careful and accurate.

In 1761 Wedgwood presented a breakfast set of this cream-colored ware to Oueen Charlotte, and was made Potter to her Majesty in consequence. This increased the popularity of the ware materially, and it became known as queen's-ware, the name commonly given to it by collectors today.

As early as 1761 Wedgwood was making excellent tea- and dinner sets in queen's-ware that sold as cheaply as £4 for 146 pieces at wholesale. Many of his decorated services were much more costly, however. Sasketwork dishes were common, and vases of good form with Etruscan borders. The pierced and embossed work was always done with minute perfection, which distinguishes it from Leeds and other wares.

Wedgwood invented many new dishes for his table services, and made also flower-pots, bulb-pots, and "bough pots." Serpent, goat's head, satyr, and dolphin handles and festoons are noteworthy features. While the queen's-ware cannot compare with basalt and jasper for artistic beauty, there is a charm about the look and the "feel" of it that endears it to the hearts of Wedgwood enthusiasts. To be Continued.

Pictured above: Wedgwood Jasperware Cobalt Lemonade Pitcher, Circa 1910-1930, available at our CHShops.com Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_27&products_id=251.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Loetz Glass, Part I




There had been a glass works on the Loetz site since 1836. This was in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. After several changes of ownership, in 1851, it was owned by a Dr Franz Gertsner and his wife, Susanna. Susanna had already inherited some other glassworks when a previous husband had died, and now in 1852 she now owned this new site.

She changed its' name to Johann Lotz Witwe (Johan Lotz Widow). It was eventually to become Lotz, and at this stage it was commonly used in the Anglicised form, Loetz. Signatures on the glass are found with both forms of the name. In the 1880's it was making streaked glass, which imitated stones such as agate and onyx, often embellished with gilding or enamel. Their Onyx glass, was a streaked brown glass, and Cornelian, a streaked red glass.

They went on to produce other imitation stoneware such as chalcedony, aventurine and jasper. Loetz are reputed to have made a form of Intarsia. Max Ritter von Spaun, Susanna's grandson, inherited the factory in 1879. This was to be a time of great expansion and experimentation, and in 1895 was beginning to produce iridescent glassware, which was similar to Tiffany Favrile, but executed in its own very special European style. They started by adding iridescence to Cornelian glass.

To Be Continued.

Pictured above: Iridescent Green Snake Vase Unsigned Loetz. This vase is available at our CHShops Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=90&products_id=418.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Many Ways To Support Our Troops, Part I

Part I of a Continuing Series.

Looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom?

In years past, you could wrap up a care package and mail it to "Any Service Member" for the holidays, but with increased mail restrictions, the Pentagon is asking people to help through financial contributions, letter-writing and e-mail, purchasing authorized pre-made care packages, or volunteering time through non-profits.
Below are links to programs that offer aid to our military -- everything from care packages to emergency services to military family support. Show your pride in our armed forces today, either by purchasing a gift or card for a servicemember, or donating to programs that support our military.


http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops#1
http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops#2
http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops#3
http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops#4
http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops#5

Cards, Letters, Gifts, and Care Packages

Important Note: Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages and letters, addressed to "Any Wounded Soldier" that Walter Reed will not be accepting these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.

In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "Any Wounded Service Member" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered. Instead of sending an "Any Wounded Soldier" letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families listed on the America Supports You website.

To Be Continued.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Friday, December 12, 2008

More About Wedgwood, Part III, Author Unknown


This is Part III of a continuing series.

Josiah Wedgwood came from a family of potters. He was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, England, in 1730. When nine years old he left school and went to work in his brother's pottery. In 1744 he became apprenticed to his brother Thomas. In 1752 he formed a partnership with Thomas Alders and John Harrison, and in 1754 with Thomas Wheildon, a famous potter at Fenton. They made pottery of good quality and form, now very rare.

In 1758 he started business alone in a small way at Stoke, and in 1759 returned to Burslem. He leased the Ivy House Works, and enlarged them. Here he improved the cheap cream-colored ware of that day, aiming at both artistic and mechanical perfection. All through his life he gave personal attention to details and was an incessant worker in spite of ill health and many setbacks.

In 1761 he started the Black Works at Burslem for the manufacture of black basalt, and in 1763 leased the Brick House or Bell House Works in Burslem. These three factories he managed continuously until his final removal to Etruria in 1773. In 1764 he married.

In 1768 Wedgwood took as a partner Thomas Bentley, a literary man with artistic tastes, who helped him materially in advancing the ornamental end of the business. Bentley remained a large part of the time in London, pushing the sale of the ware.

In 1769 Wedgwood & Bentley built the large works at Etruria, a mile north of Stoke-on-Trent. It was here that the finest of the Wedgwood pottery was made, many special orders being executed for European royal families and other notable persons. It was the largest and best pottery works ever established in England up to that time. Here Wedgwood built a mansion for himself and a model village for his workmen.

In 1773 he invented the jasper ware, perfecting it before 1787. During this period Wedgwood also attached to his works several famous designers, including John Flaxman, an artist of rare Classic taste, whose work is now highly prized by connoisseurs.

Bentley died in 1780, and Wedgwood ran the factories alone until 1790, when he took into partnership his three sons, Josiah, John, and Thomas. In 1793 his nephew, Thomas Byerley, was also taken, in, and the firm became Wedgwood, Sons & Byerley.

To be Continued.

Pictured above: Antique Wedgwood Jasperware, Large Green Pitcher, Circa 1880 or prior. For more antique wedgwood pieces, see our CHSHops.com Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_27.

copperpeny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Skiing and Timesharing in Tahoe, California





Our children and grandchild will be enjoying the ski slopes in Tahoe during the week between Christmas and New Year's. DH and I will be enjoying the fireplace and the indoor spa!!! We will be staying the week at Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort (formerly Embassy Suites). This will be our first exchange visit to this particular resort, which we found on TUG,(http://www.tugbbs.com/forums) the Timeshare Users Group. There is an interesting story to this exchange, which I will write about at a future date.

For now, I will just mention that we have reservations in Tahoe also for the previous week, Dec 19-26, at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club in South Lake Tahoe, that we are not going to be able to use this year. So, if you are looking for a bargain Xmas Ski Week, look no further than our CHShops Mall website at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22_45&products_id=216.

Pictured above: Tahoe Beach and Ski Club

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Timesharing in Hawaii





We have been so busy these past few months that I have not had time to write about our August vacation in Hawaii. So, here it is, now!

After flying to San Jose to visit with family in July, DH and I, along with our Granddaughter and Son, flew via Hawaiian Airlines to Kona by way of Honolulu. Our other Son met us in Honolulu and then Kona, where we had reservations for a week at The Bay Club (Hilton Wiakaloa on the Beach) and at Paniola Greens in Wiakaloa Village. The Bay Club was a rental, which we arranged through TUG, Timeshare Users Group. Paniola Greens was a timeshare exchange we arranged through RCI, Resorts Condominiums, Inc.

The Bay Club is a Hilton timeshare property located adjacent to the Hilton Wiakaloa Beach Club; and Bay Club patrons have full use of the Hilton facility, with half-hourly daily shuttle service to each property. This is a fabulous vacation resort, with fantastic pools and on-site resataurants and shops. While there, we all enjoyed a swim with the dolphins at the Dolphin Quest facility at the resort.

Paniola Greens is about 4 miles inland from the Beach at Wiakaloa Village. It is a much smaller resort than the Bay Club, but still very nice and comfortable; and just a few blocks away from local restaurants and shops. Wiakaloa Village is a small community, with a great view of the observatory at Mauna Loa.

During the week we drove the southern shoreline route from Kona to Volcano National Park and spent two days in the Park, including a helicopter ride from Hilo over the lava flow from the erupting volcano. On the way back to Kona, we continued around the northern shoreline route.

The next week we enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach on Oahu, while our Son attended an annual conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The beach and facilities there are outstanding; and we would go again at a moment's notice.

Pictured above: An exterior view of The Bay Club and an interior view at Paniola Greens. See our timeshare rentals and sales at our CHShops Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Pearl Harbor Day Memorials



HONOLULU — More than 2,000 World War II veterans and other observers have gathered in Hawaii to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Participants across the water from the sunken USS Arizona went silent at 7:55 a.m. local time, the moment in 1941 when hundreds of Japanese planes began raining bombs and torpedoes onto U.S. military ships and planes in the harbor.

Unlike past observances, which focused on the attack itself, this year's remembrance ceremony focused on the aftermath, including the carrier-launched B-52 bomber raid on Tokyo led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle four months later.

copperpenny22
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net


GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)



GMRS (GENERAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE) REPEATER SITE

Here is a great site for GMRS information in the Atlanta, Ga metro area.
http://www.rtzaudio.com/kg4lne/default.asp

Our compliments to KG4LNE / WPSD889 for all of the useful information found here.

And on this page of the site, you will see our very own GMRS repeater site, along with several Amateur radio repeaters.

http://www.rtzaudio.com/kg4lne/bravo.asp

Penny, N6HWB/WPRX486
Doug, N3DAB/WPRX486
cupenny@tds.net
www.pennyspantry.net

Thursday, December 04, 2008

All About The Dragon



Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The final printed issue was #359 in September 2007. Shortly after the last print issue shipped in mid-August, 2007, Wizards of the Coast (part of Hasbro, Inc.), the publication's current intellectual property rightsholder, re-launched Dragon as an online Magazine, continuining on the numbering of the print edition.

The last Strategic Review: In 1975, TSR, Inc. began publishing The Strategic Review. At the time, roleplaying games were still seen as a sub-genre of the wargaming industry, and the magazine was designed not only to support Dungeons & Dragons and TSR's other games, but also to cover wargaming in general. In short order, however, the popularity and growth of Dungeons & Dragons made it clear that the game had not only separated itself from its wargaming origins, but had launched an entirely new industry unto itself.

TSR cancelled The Strategic Review after only seven issues the following year, and replaced it with two magazines, Little Wars, which covered miniature wargaming, and The Dragon, which covered role playing games. After 13 issues, Little Wars ceased publication and its content was folded into The Dragon (starting with issue 24). The Dragon later changed its name to Dragon Magazine and finally simply Dragon.

Dragon was the launching point for a number of rules, spells, monsters, magic items, and other ideas that were incorporated into later official products of the Dungeons & Dragons game. A prime example is the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, which first became known through a series of Dragon articles in the 1980s by its creator Ed Greenwood. It subsequently went on to become one of the primary campaign 'worlds' for official Dungeons and Dragons products, starting in 1987.

Dragon magazine was mailed out in the early 1980s in an attractive envelopeWizards of the Coast purchased TSR and its intellectual properties, including Dragon in 1997. Production was then transferred from Wisconsin to Washington state. In 1999, Wizards of the Coast was itself purchased by Hasbro, Inc.

In 1999 a compilation of the first 250 issues was released in PDF format with a special viewer including an article and keyword search in CD-ROM format. Also included were the 7 issues of The Strategic Review. This compilation is known as the software title Dragon Magazine Archive. Because of a conflict regarding the reprint rights for the Knights of the Dinner Table comic strips printed in Dragon for many years, the Dragon Magazine Archive is out of print and very hard to find.

In 2002, Paizo Publishing acquired the rights to publish both Dragon and Dungeon under license from Wizards of the Coast. It tied Dragon more closely to Dungeon by including articles supporting and promoting its major multi-issue adventures such as the Age of Worms and Savage Tide. Class Acts, monthly one or two-page articles offering ideas for developing specific character classes, were also introduced by Paizo.

On April 18, 2007, Wizards of the Coast announced that it would not be renewing Paizo's licenses for Dragon and Dungeon. Scott Rouse, Senior Brand Manager of Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast stated, "Today the internet is where people go to get this kind of information. By moving to an online model we are using a delivery system that broadens our reach to fans around the world." Paizo published the last print editions of Dragon and Dungeon magazines for September 2007.

In August 2007, Wizards of the Coast announced their plans for the 4th edition of the Dungeons and Dragons game. Part of this announcement was the "D&D Insider" subscriber content on their Gleemax site that would include the new, online versions of both Dungeon and Dragon magazines along with tools for building campaigns, managing character sheets and other features.

Although Dragon provided coverage of fantasy and roleplaying games in general, it became primarily a house organ for role-playing games produced by TSR (or more recently Wizards of the Coast), with a particular focus on D&D. Its coverage of games created by other companies is often peripheral.

Most of the magazine's articles provided supplementary material for D&D including new prestige classes, races, monsters and many other subjects that could be used to enhance a Dungeons & Dragons game. A popular long-running column Sage Advice offered official answers to Dungeons & Dragons questions submitted by players. Other articles provided tips and suggestions for both players and Dungeon Masters (DMs). It sometimes discussed meta-gaming issues, such as getting along with fellow players. At the end of its print run, the magazine also featured four comics; Nodwick, Dork Tower, Zogonia and The Order of the Stick. Previous popular gamer-oriented comic strips include Knights of the Dinner Table, Fineous Fingers, What's New with Phil & Dixie, Wormy, Yamara and SnarfQuest.

Many of the gaming world's most famous writers, game designers and artists have published work in the magazine. Through most of its run the magazine frequently published fantasy fiction, either short stories or novel excerpts. After the 1990s, the appearance of fiction stories became relatively rare. One late example was issue #305's featured excerpt from George R.R. Martin's later Hugo-nominated novel A Feast for Crows.

A regular feature of Dragon for many years was its "Ecology of ..." articles as discussed by the fictional sage Elminster, in which a particular D&D monster received an in-depth review, explaining how it found food, reproduced, and so forth. Under Paizo's tenure such ecology articles became heavier in "crunch" (game mechanics) as opposed to "fluff" (narrative and description) than previously.

In the early 1980s, almost every issue of Dragon would contain a role playing adventure, a simple board game, or some kind of special game supplement (such as a cardboard cut-out castle). For example, Tom Wham's Snit's Revenge, The Awful Green Things From Outer Space and File 13. These bonus features become infrequent after the 1986 launch of Dungeon magazine, which published several new Dungeons & Dragons adventures in each issue.

During the 1980s, after TSR had purchased Simulations Publications Inc., the magazine had a subsection called Ares Magazine, based on SPI's magazine of that name, specializing in science fiction and superhero role playing games, with pages marked by a gray border. The content included write-ups for various characters of the Marvel Universe for TSR's Marvel Super-Heroes.

Pictured above: Dragon Magazine, Issue 111, Vol XI, Number 2, July 1986. See this Dragon Magazine listing and many others at our CHShops Mall Store at: http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25_83_88.

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