Souvenirs of Surebleak Port

[rolanni]

[Poll #1612251]
These would be professional clay chips; not plastic, not silver, not brass.

Any other thoughts on poker chips or other Liaden Universe(R) related products?  Tell me in comments.

Comments

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't the cost of the chip depend on the amount it marks? As I understand it, there are different chips that represent different amounts of the bet, but I could be wrong.

For a souvenir (sp?), I dunno - maybe as much as $10, depends on shipping and handling costs. But I would definitely want one - it would be a great gift for a friend of mine!

[ariaflame.livejournal.com]

Would depend on shipping. But probably. Up to $10 for a souvenir seems to reasonable.

[hapaxnym.livejournal.com]

I'd pay a pretty penny for a deck of cards from the Surebleak casino, with the Tree-And-Dragon on back.

*Especially* if they were Liaden cards, as shown to Anne in LOCAL CUSTOM. But the cost of designing them might make that prohibitive. :-(

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

In our house, we don't play cards (just not interested), so not much interest in poker chips or cards.

However, we were talking about other souvenirs we might like. Korval's Ring comes to mind immediately, but that seems a wee big for my small fingers. Alternatively, I'd be quite happy with the necklace that Win Ton sends Theo, although if memory serves, fabrication of that necklace is not actually possible.

[hapaxnym.livejournal.com]

Googling around, I see sites that offer customized decks for between $4 - $20 per deck, depending on the degree of customization and the size of the order.

Personally, I'd probably pay up to $25 for a nice Liaden set. Still, there is the whole "bother" factor of creating it, and I'd MUCH MUCH rather pay that kind of money for a new Liaden novel!

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I'd pay a pretty penny for a deck of cards from the Surebleak casino, with the Tree-And-Dragon on back.

That would be a collector's item, indeed, since the Emerald is owned by Pat Rin, not by Korval, so the Tree-and-Dragon deck would be, um, right out.

*Especially* if they were Liaden cards, as shown to Anne in LOCAL CUSTOM. But the cost of designing them might make that prohibitive.

That's about it. The same with the Liaden "tarot" deck idea we'd come up with a few years ago. It would cost more to produce than we could reasonably hope to recoup in sales.

They would be cool, though.

[drammar.livejournal.com]

I was thinking also of cards -- more in the context of Aelli's winning gambit in Scout's Progress. I lack references to get it exactly right from where I am, and I don't want to misquote, but the card descriptions had me yearning, even that long ago.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't the cost of the chip depend on the amount it marks?

Certainly that's true of the buy-in; I'm not certain it holds true at the manufacturing side. And I'm not sure that a souvenir chip would have an amount.

*rummages in drawer*

Hmm... the two souvenir chips I have are brass ringing a silver core.

One has the name of the casino on the obverse; their logo and .999 silver; name and location inscribed on the brass. The reverse has Year of the Dragon on the brass and the years 1940-2000. The silver core shows a dragon and some Chinese characters.

The other chip is substantially the same, substituting mermaids and sunken treasure, and the name and logo of a cruise ship line.

Neither one claims a cover amount, *unlike* the two chips I failed to redeem after visits to actual casinos -- each of those claims to cover $1.

stuff

[(Anonymous)]

I would buy a Tree and Dragon sticker, to put on my car (well actually, my -horse drawn- marathon carriage).
Maybe "My vehicle gets serviced at Binjali's repair shop, Solcintra Port" for my car.
Sue H in SC

[eseme]

Bumper stickers are cool, and probably reasonably cost-effective to produce.

I shall admit to not having read all of the books, but I did like the sound of the tree-and-dragon patch that the Korval dispatcher wore in Scout's Progress when Aelli went to register her ship. Apparently the ones worn by true descendants of the line include the clan motto. You may be able to contract with a local shop to do the embroidery on pre-made items.

For examples, see the Patches link in Patricia Briggs' store : http://www.hurog.com/store/
You may wish to email her and her husband to learn which company they found that could make embroidered patches for about $4.00.

Re: stuff

[hapaxnym.livejournal.com]

Hee! I like that. I've also always kinda wanted a "coffeetoot" mug...
(although I'm sure that Pat Rin's establishment serves nothing so vulgar)

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I believe Pegasus Publishing does custom orders for t-shirts, I'm not sure whether they do patches but it might be worth asking.

I'd buy an amulet of the ship's key Theo is given by (can't remember his name!). Or a generic ship's key as a keyring, if that's doable.

I'd also pay $15 for two poker chips, but would be willing to up that if it included a certificate of authenticity signed by Pat Rin.

Emerald Casino vs Tree and Dragon

[rfalken.livejournal.com]

A one cantra chip from the Emerald Casino would be fun to have. It is a place that exists in that universe and feels more correct?? If that makes sense.

Cheers,

rfalken

Re: stuff

[grassrose.livejournal.com]

Ew! How about a license plate frame? Top reads "Binjali's"; bottom reads "Solcintra Port."

I also like the idea of patches, discussed further down-thread.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer something that is not so disturbingly easily lost and can be used in my everyday life! I could see coffee mugs doing well, or maybe notebook covers. (but there are such a dizzying array of notebook size formats...)

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I would expect a denomination on the chip . . .

Surebleak Souvenirs

[barb-in-md.livejournal.com]

I'm not thrilled with poker chips, but would love an Emerald Casino mug of some sort. I have gotten good use from my "I Dare" mug that you offered when that book first came out.
Or maybe a bumper sticker--
Barb

[hapaxnym.livejournal.com]

Commenting more on this than I should, but I can't help it; I loves me some Stuff.

Talking this over with my daughter, she made the excellent point that unlike (presumably) the estimable Auctores, most of us haven't spent the better part of a year in or around the Emerald Casino. Once we have had the opportunity to visit that establishment, you might get quite different results for your poll.

Also agree that I prefer Stuff I can use in everyday life -- it allows conversation starters (e.g. "OMG YOU MUST READ THESE!!")if nothing else.

In the excessively unlikely wish-fulfillment souvenir category, Daughter requested replica crystal knives, Liaden male ear-drops, Miri's ring, and a bright orange-silk cape.

Keyfob/ring?

[(Anonymous)]

All good suggestions - I really like the patches and bumper stickers
and license plate frames. How about a keyring with a tag for
Tree & Dragon?

I also like the pickup sticks game that Pat Rin taught Vance (sp?)
Lauretta@ConstellationBooks

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I want a crystal knife from the Clutch.

[ladyinthetower.livejournal.com]

I'd love one of the Tree and Dragon pins like Nelirikk and various others have.

I love the tree and dragon insignia in general; my white-on-green t-shirt is getting rather worn. I wish I could replace it, but the color options - black on pastels - in the Cafe Press store don't include anything I would wear. Any chance of the old Plan B style being resurrected?

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

Of course you do, it would go well with your crysknife from Arrakis!

Goodies

[(Anonymous)]

Not so much on poker chips but a key fob, a patch or one of those magnetized bumper stickers (that can go on the fridge instead of the car) from Binjali's - Solcintra Port or from Tree & Dragon . . . those would be very enticing.

Barb in Bandon

[sraun]

If the question is what would a theoretical Terran tourist to Surebleak be willing to spend - about $5.

What would, I, sraun be willing to spend? Ummm - too much. I'd certainly go $10. All of the other suggestions certainly sound like fun!

Would I Buy a Chip?

[claire774.livejournal.com]

If you really are going to sell chips just make one up and I'll buy it! I'd also like a T Shirt (I collect T shirts) which says "I visited Surebleak Port and all I got was this lousy T shirt" or maybe "Surebleak Casino" or "Surebleak: The Friendliest Planet in the Sector. Y'All Come On Out." "Or Hard Rock Cafe: Surebleak", "Gathering of the Bands, Surebleak Concert..."you add the year. And so on.

Yes. T shirt

[claire774.livejournal.com]

As in another comment. Tree and Dragon T shirt. Yes!

goodies

[(Anonymous)]

I'm commenting way too much, too. This is exciting.

Am thinking I'd gladly pay $25 to $30 for a funky and gaudy ... err, colorful .... poster. Benjali's, Clutch turtles, Tree & Dragon, the Tree with a cat *guarding* it. A collage maybe? Might be too expensive to product but since we're dreaming out loud ... Big smile.

Barb in Bandon

Re: Goodies

[eseme]

Magnets are great. And reusable, unlike bumper stickers.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

but I would give it to you for your Birthday! .... so Happy Birthday to You!

[doccolt.livejournal.com]

I would love coffecups, I think I'm down to only two I Dare cups. Of course I expect breakage in shipping is a problem. I'd love some BIG (eight to ten inch) Tree and Dragon patches. Little ones would do in a pinch. Any of the other suggestions I would buy as an avid collector!

[pgranzeau.livejournal.com]

I'd probably pay up to $20 for a tree and dragon chip or for the Surebleak chip--but probably not for both of them at that price.

[dmellieon.livejournal.com]

In my youth I have purchased T-shirts, jewelry, hats, patches, posters and bumper stickers in support of beloved music bands, painters and authors. Now that I am well past my college years and size (sigh) and work in a semi-conservative office I would gladly purchase coffee mugs (esp. the ones pictured a few months ago from your kitchen -they are my favorite style of mug and they are not white), mini-posters (collection of book covers with you two in the center would look quite nice on my cube wall -hint, hint, hint), jewelry as mentioned by others here and the bumper stickers esp. the magnetic ones. They could go up on the office cabinet, the frig as well as the car. Oh, and the deck of cards idea - brilliant! If the cost to make the Liaden style deck is too dear, I would purchase a "Terran" style deck with the Tree-and-Dragon on the back or a design from Emerald Casino!

Re: Goodies

[sfminou.livejournal.com]

But a poker chip is just the right size (or could be) to slip into a pre-fab metal ring with a loop to wear as a pendant. I think it's a terrific plan!

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, Yes and pretty much any price mentioned.

[reedrover]

I love some of the suggestions above. I would certainly get a Binjali's license plate frame, or one that says "Pilot Friendly... SureBleak Port!"

Bumper stickers: "I Dare" "Ride the Luck" "We are all branches of the same tree" (with the Tree-and-Dragon logo)

I still have my big Cafe' Press coffee mugs, so if you were to offer new ones, I'd love to collect the whole set of them from all of the ports of call - Solcintra, Chonselta, Surebleak, Arsdred, etc. And I know my mom would go for them, too.

T-shirts: I'd go for the college-look and issue a Chonselta Tech t-shirt, Scout Academy undergrad, etc.

Miscellaney - I'd love a deck of cards from any of the major casinos or with the Tree-and-Dragon motif on the back. Issuing the correct cards and rules to play pikit is probably too much to hope for in this lifetime, but it would be neat to have the face cards reissued to have the Ship, Delm, etc. on them...

Re: Would I Buy a Chip?

[elgordo303.livejournal.com]

"Or Hard Rock Cafe: Surebleak" ... would be a trademark infringement ... considering how we feels about such things ... no chance ... but it would be cool ;-)

[maddoxa.livejournal.com]

Do you suppose the custom of 'challenge coins' has survived?
I'd love one from the scout commander or Jela's troop!

[timconnor.livejournal.com]

As far as souvenir's go, I'd rather have coffee mugs.

As an aside, why has only "Local Custom" made it to audiobook? The crispness of your writing is highlighted by audible presentation -in a fashion similar to the enhancement of good poetry by reading it aloud.

Should I be attempting to try and convince you that I have the wherewithal to form a company to do so? I have listened to Local Custom almost as often as I've read it.

Local Custom audiobook

[dmellieon.livejournal.com]

Yay! I thought I was the only one, I'm not alone! I have it two ways on my itouch. One copy under audiobooks and another as mp3 files mixed into my music library. So, when I have it on random song library I can get a audio chapter mixed in with the songs. Music, music, music, random chapter reading, music, music, music, music!

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

As an aside, why has only "Local Custom" made it to audiobook?

Because it has not yet earned out, which means that the company which holds the contract for Liaden Universe(R) audiobooks have no reason to produce others.

As in print publishing, sales drive sequels.

[baobrien.livejournal.com]

YES! A deck of cards would be wonderful...

[baobrien.livejournal.com]

I don't know about everyone else, but a plain Terran deck of cards with a Surebleak or Emerald Casino logo or a Tree and Dragon on the back would still be a wonderful collectors item from my perspective. It would be easier to use them with the standard 4 suits and A-K values. Better than a poker chip.