[FAQ] Terry Pratchett/Discworld Merchandise
elfin
Posting-Frequency: monthly (on the 21st)
Last-modified: 13 October 2003
URL: <http://www.lspace.org/faqs/>
Changes: new maintainer, slight changes throughout.
Added details of BursarVixen Enterprises.
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This FAQ consists of the following sections:
0. Before we begin...
1. Where and how do I buy Terry Pratchett novels and audio/video tapes?
2. Where and how do I buy Clarecraft Discworld figurines?
3. Where and how do I buy Discworld clothing and jewellery?
4. Where and how do I buy Discworld CD's and CD-ROM games?
5. Where and how do I buy other Discworld paraphernalia?
6. Where and how do I join commercial fan activity?
7. Where and how do I get things for free?
8. FAQ Maintainer's disclaimer.
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0. Before we begin...
----------------------
Many of the URLs given in this document indicate files available for
downloading from the Terry Pratchett Archives at ftp.lspace.org. If you
are not familiar with the Archives, read the alt.fan.pratchett
Mini-FAQ.
Where appropriate, I'm giving URLs to both the FTP and the WWW versions
of the resources mentioned.
You will probably be doing yourself a favour if you read the Pratchett
Newsgroups Mini-FAQ, the Terry Pratchett FAQ and the Terry Pratchett
Bibliography as companion documents to this FAQ.
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/mini-faq>
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/afp-faq>
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/bibliography>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/mini-faq.g.html>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/afp-faq.g.html>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/bibliography.g.html>
The most recent copy of this FAQ is always available from the Pratchett
Archives, or (together with many, many other FAQs) from the
news.answers anonymous FTP site rtfm.mit.edu. If you can't do or don't
know about FTP, just send an e-mail message to mail-...@rtfm.mit.edu
containing the word "help" in the body of the message.
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/merchandise-faq>
<ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/pratchett/merchandise-faq>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/merchandise-faq.g.html>
1. Where and how do I buy Terry Pratchett novels and audio/video tapes?
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In the UK and in most of Western Europe, Terry Pratchett's entire
oeuvre is readily available from the bookshops. Even if it isn't,
ordering is generally not a problem.
However, Terry's novels (especially the recently released and earliest
ones and the ever-elusive _Eric_) are not so easily available in the
USA, thanks to braindead publishers, and bookshops that apparently do
not consider it part of their job to order books for their customers.
For a list of titles and ISBN numbers of all Terry's novels (including
info on the places his short stories have appeared), read the
Bibliography:
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/bibliography>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/bibliography.g.html>
With the advent of the World Wide Web, several on-line bookstores have
become available. The following look like winners in the Terry
Pratchett department to me.
o Interstellar Master Traders.
I.M.T. is Lancaster's specialist science fiction, fantasy & horror
book and role-playing games shop, obtaining books in other areas to
order. They sell all of the Terry books (including - subject to
availability - the first editions and US hardcovers), the audio
cassettes, Discworld GURPS, Josh Kirby artbooks, Discworld diaries,
maps and calendars, Paul Kidby's colour and mono Discworld cards
and many other items connected to Terry. I.M.T. will ship abroad;
they have an American agent who accepts USD checks on their behalf,
which avoids customers having to pay conversion charges on top of
the exchange rate current at any time.
Address: Interstellar Master Traders
33 North Road
Lancaster
LA1 1NS
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1524 382181
Fax: Available on request
E-mail: i-...@i-m-t.demon.co.uk
o Amazon.
Amazon, the on-line bookstore, seems to be pretty comprehensive in
their listing of Pratchett merchandise. The American branch
<URL:http://www.amazon.com/> sells the "Wyrd Sisters" video for USD
34.95 and DVD for USD 35.99, the "From the Discworld" CD for USD
17.97 and most of the Pratchett books, including the more recently
released editions.
The UK branch <URL:http://www.amazon.co.uk/> sells all of the
Pratchett books, the audio cassettes, plays, maps and foreign
language editions. A more recent addition to the available items
are videos, including the "Soul Music" and "Wyrd Sisters" box sets
(UKP 17.99 each) and the "Wyrd Sisters" DVD for UKP 16.99.
o Visually impaired information.
Information about Pratchett novels for visually impaired fans
can be found at The Audio Web:
o The Discworld animation video tapes.
In 1997, animated versions of _Soul Music_ and _Wyrd Sisters_ were
produced by Cosgrove Hall for Channel 4 television.
Both "Soul Music" and "Wyrd Sisters" have been shown on British
television (and Australian?), but they are also both available on
video from Polygram, who have taken over from the previous
suppliers, Astrion.
The videos cost UKP 14.99 (plus postage and packing outside Europe)
and are available throughout the UK from all good video stockists
and selected book stockists - for example, see 'Amazon' above.
American fans can buy the "Wyrd Sisters" three-volume VHS boxed set
or the DVD from Acorn Media Publishing for USD 39.95.
Tel: 1-800-999-0212
E-mail: <in...@acornmedia.com>
Acorn Media's on-line catalog <URL:http://www.acornmedia.com/>
lists the "Wyrd Sisters" boxed set and DVD, but not "Soul Music".
o The Discworld animation DVDs.
"Wyrd Sisters" was released on DVD at the end of March 2000, and is
available from Amazon and Acorn Media (see above). Exclusive extras
include a short test film made by Cosgrove Hall, a Pratchett bio,
Discworld book list, character bios and images, and storyboards
from the production, with hand-drawn images, directions and text
notes, all linked to the scenes they represent so you can compare
them.
As for "Soul Music", Acorn Media currently plans to release it in
2001, when it is likely (though not guaranteed) that both the VHS
and DVD versions will be made available.
o The "Truckers" video tape.
Made by Cosgrove Hall, this television show (telling the story of
the first book of the Nomes trilogy) was a big success but was,
unfortunately, unavailable on video for a long time. Now it has
been re-released by VCI.
Address: VCI plc
76 Dean Street
London
W1V 5HB
England
Tel: +44 (0)207 396 8888
Fax: +44 (0)207 396 8889
Web: <http://www.vci.co.uk/>
The video -- product code TV8159 -- runs 110 minutes, costs UKP
9.99 (excluding shipping), and is in PAL format. It can be
ordered online from <http://www.amazon.co.uk/>.
o The Discworld audio tapes.
Corgi audio is releasing audio cassette versions of the Discworld
books, narrated by Tony "Baldrick" Robinson. These are abridged
versions, running time approximately three hours.
Isis Audio Books is releasing unabridged (and more expensive)
versions. Some were narrated by Nigel "Neil from the Young Ones"
Planer, _The Truth_ and _The Fifth Elephant_ by Stephen Briggs, and
_Equal Rites_ and _Wyrd Sisters_ by Celia Imrie. You can order by
snail-mail or on their Web site (where audio versions of some
Discworld novels are available in mp3 format and on CD).
Address: Isis Audio Books
Isis Publishing Ltd
7 Centremead
Osney Mead
Oxford OX2 0ES
UK
Tel: 01865 250 333
Fax: 01865 790 358
Web: <http://www.isis-publishing.co.uk/>
E-mail: sa...@isis-publishing.co.uk
Most of the mail-order bookstores should be able to order these
audio versions for you just as easily as the books themselves, or
you can visit the Internet Talking Bookshop which sells both the
Corgi and the Isis audio tapes.
<http://www.goodreading.co.uk/audio/main.html>
2. Where and how do I buy Clarecraft Discworld figurines?
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For years Clarecraft has been producing handmade Discworld figurines.
These are extremely popular, and are very accurate representations of
the Discworld characters. Terry himself is a regular customer, and had
this to say about them: "I like the Clarecraft figures. They're made by
people who read the books very carefully and then sculpt what they see
on the inside of their eyelids. They don't always get it exactly right
(no-one could), but they get it wrong a lot better than anyone else
would."
The Clarecraft Collectors' Guild Web pages feature an on-line catalogue
and high-quality pictures of all their figurines.
<http://www.clarecraft.co.uk/>
Clarecraft no longer sell direct to the public, apart from a few
*specials", however they can be purchased via:
<http://www.collectorsgifts.com/>
Address: Collectors Gifts
Unit 1
Newlands
Otley Road
Grundisburgh
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP13 6RY
Answerphone: +44 (0)1538 388333
Fax: +44 (0)1538 388333
Email: in...@collectorsgifts.com
Non-UK fans can order figures direct from the site. There are secure
facilities to use, and there are things on the site that you can't buy
in the shops.
As well as the figurines, Clarecraft also sells posters, keyrings,
pictures, rings, tee-shirts and mouse mats. Details are available on
their Web site.
3. Where and how do I buy Discworld clothing and jewellery?
------------------------------------------------------------
o Stephen Briggs.
Stephen "Cut-Me-Own-Throat" Briggs, aka CMOT Briggs, known for his
Discworld stage adaptations and his co-authorship with Terry of
_The Discworld Companion_, _Nanny's Ogg's Cookbook_, _The Streets
of Ankh-Morpork_, _The Discworld Mapp_, _A Tourist's Guide To
Lancre_ and _Death's Domain_ has also been responsible for
supplying the alt.fan.pratchett readership with certain items of
very popular Discworld merchandise -- if somebody on the newsgroup
mentions T-shirts, these are the ones they probably mean. Stephen
will send his products abroad, with an increased P&P cost (all
payments in pounds sterling, EuroCheques no longer accepted).
Stephen will soon have his own Website. It is not available yet,
but the address will be:
CMOT's postal address is:
Stephen Briggs,
PO Box 147,
Oxford,
OX2 8YT,
UK
Or you can e-mail him for a full list at <sbr...@cix.co.uk>.
o T-shirts.
There are quite a few other T-shirts available, such as promotional
shirts by Gollancz, Clarecraft, the Conventions, etc. Most can be
found by visiting the various Discworld merchants merchants
mentioned in this FAQ.
4. Where and how do I buy Discworld CDs and CD-ROM games?
----------------------------------------------------------
Here are some other 'multimedia' items that are directly related to the
Discworld/Pratchett universe:
o The "Discworld" CD-ROM games by Perfect Entertainment/Psygnosis.
There are now three Discworld CD-ROM games. The first one is
called "Discworld", and is available for PC, Macintosh, Sony
Playstation and Saturn.
The second one (generally regarded as the easiest of the three as
the puzzles can usually be solved simply by having a good knowledge
of the Discworld books) was released as "Discworld 2: Missing,
presumed...?" in the UK, and "Discworld 2: Mortality Bytes" in the
USA (no, I don't know why either), and is available for PC and Sony
Playstation.
The third game, "Discworld Noir", which has now been released is
in the style of 'film noir' and features new characters and
storylines.
These games should be available from most major mail-order houses,
on-line Web sites, and normal computer stores.
For more information on these games (including the walkthroughs)
consult the game FAQ or the games pages on L-Space Web:
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/discworld-game-faq>
<http://www.lspace.org/games/discworld/>
o The "From The Discworld" CD by Dave Greenslade.
I know of two places on the Internet that carry this CD.
-- The first source is an American-based outfit called "Compact
Disc Europe".
The CD costs USD 22.95 without shipping, and the catalogue
number is E9451.
Web: <http://www.cdeurope.com/>
E-mail: sa...@cdeurope.com
-- The second source for the Discworld CD is the UK-based mail
order company "Cheap or What! CDs" (formerly: PastelBlue).
Here, the CD costs UKP 9.50, and the catalogue number is
EMI-CDV2738 CD.
They can be reached at:
Web: <http://www.cow.co.uk/>
E-mail: he...@cow.co.uk
o The "Soul Music" soundtrack to the Channel 4 animated series.
Meanwhile, this CD featuring extended versions of all the songs is
distributed to the shops through the normal channels, but in a
pinch you can buy it directly for UKP 13.99 (plus UKP 1.50 p&p)
from:
Address: Pluto Music Limited
FREEPOST NWW 15259
Tarporley
CW6 9DJ
UK
Web: <http://www.plutomusic.com/>
E-mail: ke...@pluto.prestel.co.uk.
The Pluto Music Website used to contain audio clips of the album:
the site is currently not available, but it will apparently be
relaunched in March 2001.
The album is also stocked by CD Zone <http://www.cdzone.co.uk/>, who
sell it at UKP 12.49. The catalogue number is TH30746.
5. Where and how do I buy other Discworld paraphernalia?
---------------------------------------------------------
There are numerous other organisations who also produce Discworld
merchandise. I shall attempt to list them all here, but there is a high
chance that I have missed some out. If this is the case, then *please*
e-mail me with the details of those which I have missed. Anyone wishing
to produce Discworld merchandise may only do so with the permission of
Terry or his agent, Colin Smythe.
o Architecture, plates.
Isobel and Bernard Pearson (formerly of Clarecraft) run a company
called Pearson Waxworks: they now sell Discworld architecture and
plates, and intend to add to their range in the near future.
For a free brochure, just send them your postal address. Also,
they now have new premises where you can browse their products at
leisure. Their Emporium also stocks all the books and many other
Discworld products including Clarecraft and CMOT Briggs ranges.
Address: The Cunning Artificer's Discworld Emporium
41 The High Street
Wincanton
Somerset
BA9 9JU
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1963 824686
Web: <http://www.artificer.co.uk/>
E-mail: ber...@cunningartificer.demon.co.uk
o Badges, keyrings, door plaques.
These are plastic laminated items featuring phrases and sayings
borrowed from or inspired by the Discworld. If you send these guys
an SAE they'll send you a catalogue.
Address: P & J Von Der Fecht
24 Holly Court
Chester Rd
Helsby
Cheshire WA6 0PH
UK
o Discworld Beer
BursarVixen Enterprises (BVE) is the purveyor of Discworld Beers, among them
Ridcully's Revenge and Old Kingdom (a Djelibeybian brew). You can also buy
other Discworld merchandise from them such as mugs featuring Kidby images,
and t-shirts bearing Josh Kirby's cover artwork. Future plans include
producing a genuine Scumble!
Address: BVE,
PO Box 2002,
Romford
RM7 7DQ,
UK
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)709 226 4571
Web: <http://www.bursarvixen.com/>
Email: in...@bursarvixen.com
o Buttons.
Snapdragon Gifts is a small Californian family firm, specializing
in fannish gifts. They have been given permission by Terry to
produce a line of buttons with quotes from the Discworld novels on
them. 10% of all the profits from these particular buttons will be
given to the Orangutan Foundation.
Address: Snapdragon Gifts
615 Malarin Avenue
Santa Clara CA 95050-6958
USA
Tel: +1 408 615 9830 (9:00am - 7:00pm)
Fax: +1 408 615 9831
Web: <http://www.snapdragongifts.com/>
E-mail: in...@snapdragongifts.com
o Cross-stitch kits.
These are embroidery kits of, at present, eighteen different Josh
Kirby/Stephen Briggs & Paul Kidby graphics, including all the Coats
of Arms. Most kits vary between 7 & 25 UKP. For more information
contact Julia Froggatt at:
Address: Lyndisfarne
Quarry Lane
Kelsall
Nr Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 0NJ
UK
Phone: +44 01829 752686
Web: <http://www.lyndisfarne.com/>
E-mail: ju...@lyndisfarne.demon.co.uk
o Discworld Convention Merchandise.
The Discworld Convention has many high-quality items of Discworld
merchandise for sale. Their range of products includes various
T-shirts, posters and birthday cards.
Web: <http://www.dwcon.org/>
E-mail: in...@dwcon.org
o Discworld GURPS.
There is a Discworld version of the popular GURPS, owned by Steve
Jackson Games. More information can be found at:
<http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Discworld/>
o Doll's House.
I have recently heard that the latest pieces of merchandise
available are doll's houses fashioned to look like buildings from
the Discworld. They are made by a company called Dream House and
each _general_ design is approved by Terry Pratchett (but it is
the company themselves who work out the finer details). Each one
is hand made, and due to the length of time taken to produce
them, they cost UKP 799.
The Website is not yet available, but Dream House can be reached
by e-mail: Dream...@tesco.net
o Jigsaw puzzles.
In 1995 jigsaw puzzles became available, featuring Josh Kirby
Discworld drawings. These have all gone out of print, and are
no longer being made, so any that turn up are likely to be
pretty valuable.
However, in early 2000 Gibsons produced two new Discworld jigsaws
in conjunction with Colin Smythe. These feature the full prints of
Josh Kirby's "Carpe Jugulum" and "Maskerade", and are puzzles of
1,000 pieces. These are available from good retailers such as
WHSmith. They can also be purchased online for UKP 9.75 each from
Mail Order Express:
Web: <http://www.mailorderexpress.com/>
Tel: 08700 129090
o Paul Kidby prints.
PJSM Prints sells various prints and Hogswatch cards by Paul Kidby,
who started his Discworld involvement with _The Pratchett
Portfolio_ and has since gone on to do many other projects with
Terry and Stephen Briggs. Prints and original artwork are available
from their Website.
Address: PJSM Prints
PO Box 1770
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP5 5SS
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1722 780939
URL: <http://www.paulkidby.com/>
E-mail: sa...@paulkidby.com
6. Where and how do I join commercial fan activity?
----------------------------------------------------
There are two ongoing UK-based fan efforts pertaining to Terry
Pratchett and his works.
o The Fan Club -- "The Guild of Fans and Disciples"
"The Guild of Fans and Disciples" is the unofficial fan club of
Terry Pratchett and Josh Kirby. It is run on a non profit-making
basis by a group of fans who produce a bi-monthly newsletter
containing reviews, letters, articles and, of course, the latest
news. Terry has no direct involvement in the club, but does supply
them with news and quotes and even makes the occasional appearance in
the letters page.
The cost of one years membership (6 issues of "Ramtop to Rimfall")
is (in pounds sterling):
10.00 in the UK
13.00 in the rest of Europe
15.00 in USA, Canada and Africa
16.00 in the rest of the world
There are GOFAD representatives in Germany, USA & Canada, New
Zealand, and Australia, who can take membership fees in local
currency - details available on the Web site.
Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to "The Guild of
Fans and Disciples". Membership payments can also be made on-line via
a secure service provided by Clarecraft.
Address: The Guild of Fans and Disciples (I/N)
PO Box 42
Bramhall
SK7 1FP
UK
E-mail: Phil Penney (philp...@bigfoot.com)
URL: <http://www.geocities.com/Area51/1777/>
o Octarine
The Science Fiction & Fantasy Humour Appreciation Society. Terry
Pratchett and Robert Rankin are honorary members, and they have
their own quarterly magazine, "Tales From The Broken Drum".
Membership rates are 5 pounds per year in the UK and 8 pounds for
the rest of the world. You can also buy Discworld T-shirts from
them.
Address: Octarine
12 Thorne Road
Nether Edge
Sheffield
S7 1RG
UK
Web: <http://www.asmodeus.free-online.co.uk/>
7. What can I get for free?
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o Pratchett Archives
As you may have gathered by now, the Internet also has lots of
Terry Pratchett resources available for free, to be found mostly
at the Pratchett Archives, its mirror sites and its WWW interfaces.
For more information, read the mini-FAQ mentioned earlier:
<ftp://ftp.lspace.org/pub/pratchett/faqs/mini-faq>
<http://www.lspace.org/faqs/mini-faq.g.html>
o Discworld Monthly
There is also a free on-line Discworld magazine, called "Discworld
Monthly"; for information on subscription, and past editions, visit
their Website at:
o Wossname
This is another free Discworld newsletter available online or by
e-mail; it is more aimed at the North American fan and can be found
at:
8. FAQ Maintainer's disclaimer.
--------------------------------
I am not responsible or otherwise accountable for any problems you may
encounter with any of the service providers mentioned in this FAQ.
Although I'm fairly sure they're all nice people, for all I know they
*may* turn out to be incompetents, crooks, cut-throats, robbers, and
axe-murderers whose only goal in life is to separate you from your
money. Please don't blame me if Things Go Wrong. Thanks.
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