Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 116.9098

Staff Only

The Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons collection contains original role-playing game campaign materials, notes, hand-drawn and printed maps, manuscript modules, and other related documentation to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns created or co-created by Hammack. The modules featured here include local Inverness campaigns, including the basis for The Ghost Tower of Inverness, as well as the Gormenghast Megadungeon. Also within this collection are a newspaper article and handouts for a class taught by Hammack to parents interested in Dungeons & Dragons.

The Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons collection is arranged into two series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The collection is housed in two archival document boxes and two oversized flat folders.

Dates

1975 - 2016
Majority of material found within 1975 - 1978

Creator

Hammack, Allen (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein), The Strong has permission to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 2 oversized folders)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons collection is a compilation of original role-playing game campaign materials, notes, hand-drawn and printed maps, manuscript modules, and other related documentation to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns created or co-created by Hammack. The bulk of the materials are undated but most likely from 1976-1978.

Biographical Note

Allen Hammack is an American game designer and editor, best known for his work on several classic TSR Dungeons & Dragons modules.

Hammack grew up as a wargaming enthusiast in Alabama. He became involved with Dungeons & Dragons during the 1970s, where he often played the role of a Dungeon Master, crafting the worlds and events of his home campaigns. While attending Gen Con XI, Hammack met TSR founder Gary Gygax, who hired him as a games editor. Hammack went on to develop and edit multiple TSR role-playing products, including many books, guides, and peripherals. Hammack was the primary designer on several published D&D modules, including A3 Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords and C2 Ghost Tower of Inverness. Hammack worked for TSR until 1983, when he left to open a gaming store in his home state.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Inverness campaign design documentation, 1975-2016

Subseries A: Ghost Tower of Inverness design documentation, 1976-1987, 2016

Subseries B: Gormenghast game design documentation, 1975-1976, 2015-2016

Series II: D&D class for parents, 1985, 2016

Custodial History

The Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons collection was acquired by The Strong in December 2016 from The Collector’s Trove. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 116.9098 and were received in two boxes.

Processed by

Julia Novakovic, October 2017

Subjects

Record Groups

- List 02. Archival Collections Related to Artifacts of Play

Related Names

Creator

Hammack, Allen (Person)

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding Aid to the Allen Hammack Dungeons & Dragons Collection, 1975-2016
Status: completed
Author: Julia Novakovic
Date: 31 October 2017
Description rules: dacs