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Original 1995 TSR RED STEEL: Savage Baronies Published Ship Production Art
Offered here is an original TSR production-art / prepress set used in the creation of the 1995 AD&D RED STEEL: Savage Baronies boxed-set accessory.
This material comes directly from the professional TSR portfolio of Dee Barnett, one of the credited interior artists for Savage Baronies.
The ship illustration represented on these production sheets was published on page 39 of Book I: The Savage Baronies, in the section discussing Torreón and Narvaez.
A photograph of the published page is included in the listing so the buyer can see the finished appearance of the artwork in the original TSR product.
TWO ORIGINAL PRODUCTION PLATES
What makes this especially interesting is that the surviving material documents the actual pre-digital printing process used by TSR.
The lot includes the corresponding production sheets/plates shown in the photographs.
One is clearly annotated:
“BLACK PLATE
RED STEEL SPOT ILL. #4A (SHIP)
1 OF 2 ILLOS.”
The companion production sheet is marked:
“RED PLATE – PMS 193”
The sheets retain the original registration targets, crosshairs, production markings and handwritten color/printing instructions used during preparation of the published piece.
When the sheets are viewed together, the relationship between the separate printing elements becomes apparent—a fascinating surviving example of how TSR artwork was prepared for publication before modern all-digital page production.
PUBLISHED TSR ARTIFACT
This is not simply an unused concept or unidentified TSR production fragment.
The finished ship can be directly matched to the illustration appearing on page 39 of the published 1995 Savage Baronies sourcebook.
Red Steel: Savage Baronies was released by TSR for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition as part of the RED STEEL / Mystara setting.
The boxed set is TSR product #9500.
The published product credits Dee Barnett and Randy Post as interior artists.
Because individual interior illustrations were not separately credited by name on each page, this listing does not attempt to assign the underlying ship drawing beyond what can be documented. What is documented is that these surviving production materials came directly from Dee Barnett’s professional TSR portfolio and correspond to the published page shown.
PROVENANCE
This piece originated directly from Dee Barnett’s personal professional portfolio of TSR artwork and production material.
A Letter of Provenance is included with the purchase, documenting its origin from the Dee Barnett portfolio.
The provenance is an important part of this item and will remain with the artwork.
CONDITION
Original working production material from approximately 1994–1995, not a newly produced collectible.
The sheets exhibit normal characteristics associated with genuine publishing-production material, including possible age toning, handling wear, minor edge wear, production markings and other evidence of studio use.
The registration marks, handwritten notations and production markings are original to the working material and are part of its historical character.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.
The published book/page shown in the photographs is included for reference unless specifically stated otherwise in the item specifics. The primary items being sold are the original production-art materials shown.
SHIPPING
This historically significant TSR material will be packed carefully for shipment.
Shipping includes insurance for the full final purchase price and Signature Required delivery.
A Letter of Provenance will accompany the artwork.
An unusual opportunity to acquire an identifiable, published piece of original TSR / AD&D / RED STEEL / Mystara production history directly connected to the creation of Savage Baronies.
