Hunters - what to hunt for

It was in The Watchtower, then online, then an announcement with the information to the Watchtower history and archives department. The call for older publications. No doubt many thought the old "Rainbow" books by Rutherford qualified as "older" and wanted. Na...a lot were printed. There were also a lot of "Dawn" books and "Studies in the Scriptures" by the way, same book, just a name change. Oh but that "Riches" book. Nope, lots of them as well. So what gives?

In the early days of conventions there were pennants and lapel buttons. These were very cheaply made, and few survive. Also, the "Studies in the Scriptures" accordion. It was just the covers of the books all attached together to unfold along the arm of the presenter to show interested ones. If the person agreed to a set a set was ordered and the IBSA returned with a set of the books. Also, if you happen to have an Angel-O-Phone in your attic or one of the Watch Tower produced stand up portable record players.

But there are two items that are really in need by Watchtower. The first is the July 1879 Watch Tower. There were only 6,000 printed and logically most were destroyed over time. However, the first editions of The Watch Tower were not magazines but 4-fold out page newspapers. On eBay you will find a Brother that does excellent reprints, and these are needed.
However, be aware of these reprints out there, from the "Divine Purpose" book page 100.
"It was in 1919 that the Society decided to make reprints of all the Watch Towers printed during the forty-year period from July, 1879, to June 15, 1919 . These were bound in seven volumes and enabled those new in the truth to receive this valuable reference material at one third the original subscription rate."
Now it is possible that if one of these reprints were found (they are still desirable.) someone may remove the July 1879 and attempt to pass it off as an original first edition print.

The second item is a book entitled "Three Worlds" by Russell and Barbour. Notice the comment in the "Divine Purpose" book page 19
"That same year, 1877, together with Barbour, Russell produced a book called "Three Worlds or Plan of Redemption." Nothing like it had ever been published before. It combined for the first time the explanations of time prophecies with the work of Restitution. At this early date they recognized that the end of Satan's period of uninterrupted rule of the earth, called "Gentile times," would come in 1914." 

Suppose you found one, or both, your first inclination is to look up what they are selling for. I'll save you some time, some have listed an original first edition in mint condition of the 1879 Watch Tower for $11,000. Since an original copy of the "Three Worlds" has never been listed, I have never seen one, there is no set price for it, but it could be in the 6 figures. Currently there are several reprints produced by Brothers on eBay, those are listed for several hundreds. Why list what these might be worth? People who have them will look it up regardless. However, consider, if you have a copy or two or three, what greater reward can there be then to donate them to Watchtower. Okay so you can get some money for them, but the money is spent and gone. But, if you donated them to Watchtower, and as is hoped and expected, our history survives Armageddon, that publication you donated will be there forever. Consider, you can share with those resurrected "I was able to donate (this item) to Watchtower in the old world and there it is today."
​So, keep an eye out and if you discover one, an open heart to donate it to Watchtower.