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lotuz
03-28-2018, 01:05 PM
NOTE: The newest update will always be at the very bottom of this first post

We started having a conversation in the Current Market Value thread about the number of copies that were signed on each date. I think it's a pretty neat problem and I'm wondering if we can compile a more accurate list than has been put together so far.

The assumption going into this is that the books were signed sequentially, so, for example, if #170 was dated July 6, then any copies with a greater number must have been signed on the 6th or later.

I made a preliminary pass from the data on stephenkingcollector.com that amd013 helpfully posted, which was the following:




http://www.stephenkingcollector.com/limited/firestarter.html

001 - 109 July 5th
110 - 166 ???
167 - 367 July 6th
368 - 373 ???
374 - 589 July 7th
590 - 608 ???
609 - 725 July 8th



This is my logic: if the highest number for July 5 was #109 and the lowest for July 6 was #167, we know that there are at least 109 copies signed on the 5th (because copy 110 could have theoretically been the first one signed on the 6th) and at most 166 copies signed on the 5th (because copy #167 was definitely signed on the 6th). Other numbers are extrapolated from there.

This led to the following estimated number of copies signed on each day:
July 5: 109-166
July 6: 200-264
July 7: 215-241
July 8: 116-136

RF kindly pointed me to the catalog, which shows that #163 was signed on July 6th.

This results in the following updated ranges:

July 5: 109-162 copies signed (15-22% of all copies)

Minimum number = 1
Maximum number = 109-162

July 6: 206-264 copies signed (28-36% of all copies)

Minimum number = 110-163
Maximum number = 367-373

July 7: 216-241 copies signed (30-33% of all copies)

Minimum number = 368-374
Maximum number = 589-608

July 8: 116-136 copies signed (16-19% of all copies)

Minimum number = 590-609
Maximum number = 725

I would love to hear everyone's numbers, but especially those that fall in any of the missing ranges: 110-162, 368-373, 590-608. I know that there are a few people who have the whole set and a few people with multiples, so don't be shy! Also I'm betting that there are some folks out there who have knowledge of previous sales and auctions that can help out.

While I'm eager to hear what people recollect, I won't change the numbers based on "I'm pretty sure I remember", etc., I will only change it if you have the book in hand or some other valid proof like a screenshot or spreadsheet that you keep. I don't need to see it (unless you want to post it!), I just don't want to make updates based on memory alone.

Rumors are fun so it would be interesting to have people share what they've heard :)

And feel free to repost pics of your own copies here! :excited:


I'll update the current range in the section below, as new data comes in:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOST RECENT ESTIMATES, 3/28/2018

July 5: 109-162 copies signed (15-22% of all copies)

Minimum number = 1
Maximum number = 109-162

July 6: 206-264 copies signed (28-36% of all copies)

Minimum number = 110-162
Maximum number = 367-373

July 7: 216-241 copies signed (30-33% of all copies)

Minimum number = 368-374
Maximum number = 589-608

July 8: 116-136 copies signed (16-19% of all copies)

Minimum number = 590-609
Maximum number = 725

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOST RECENT ESTIMATES, 12/13/2019
Based on updated SK Collector numbers, which I don't love as I can't verify them, but c'est la vie

July 5: 125-162 copies signed (17-22% of all copies)

Minimum number = 1
Maximum number = 126-162

July 6: 206-264 copies signed (28-36% of all copies)

Minimum number = 110-162
Maximum number = 367-373

July 7: 216-241 copies signed (30-33% of all copies)

Minimum number = 368-374
Maximum number = 589-608

July 8: 116-136 copies signed (16-19% of all copies)

Minimum number = 590-609
Maximum number = 725

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOST RECENT ESTIMATES, 6/2/2020
Based on a recently posted picture of #593 being signed on July 7th
July 5: 125-162 copies signed (17-22% of all copies)

Minimum number = 1
Maximum number = 126-162

July 6: 206-264 copies signed (28-36% of all copies)

Minimum number = 110-162
Maximum number = 367-373

July 7: 216-241 copies signed (30-33% of all copies)

Minimum number = 368-374
Maximum number = 593-608

July 8: 116-136 copies signed (16-18% of all copies)

Minimum number = 594-609
Maximum number = 725

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOST RECENT ESTIMATES, 6/2/2020 UPDATE 2
Based on forum member Ivo sharing that #597 is from July 7th
Adding a decimal to the percentages, now that we're at the races :)
(Also fixed a small error)

July 5: 125-162 copies signed (17.2-22.3% of all copies)

Minimum number = 1
Maximum number = 125-162

July 6: 205-247 copies signed (28.3-34.1% of all copies)

Minimum number = 126-162
Maximum number = 367-373

July 7: 223-240 copies signed (30.8-33.1% of all copies)

Minimum number = 368-374
Maximum number = 597-608

July 8: 116-127 copies signed (16.0-17.5% of all copies)

Minimum number = 598-609
Maximum number = 725

becca69
03-28-2018, 01:17 PM
I have #8 signed on the first day that I fairly recently acquired from the publisher.

Randall Flagg
03-28-2018, 02:08 PM
If one reads and believes the limitation page for the S/L, King not only signed the books (or the limitation pages), but he numbered them too. Copy #163 shown in The Catalog sure looks like King's handwriting for the number itself.

If in fact King dated them as well as signing them, that might clarify (or muddle) the whole issue.

ur2ndbiggestfan
03-28-2018, 03:29 PM
I have copy 699, dated July 8, 1980, with a dust wrapper that has two tears, as received from the publisher, and the memory of walking past Phantasia Press's dealers table at a science fiction convention here shortly thereafter with at least 50 of the books piled up on their table. Why I didn't buy at least one more I'll never know. (I do have a spare dust wrapper, which I just couldn't get myself to put on the book, it looks so nice unfolded)

wizardsrainbow
03-28-2018, 04:11 PM
I own #588 July 7th signed by King and Whelan

jhanic
03-28-2018, 04:13 PM
I have #15. I assume it's dated July 5. I also have a spare dust jacket that is signed by Michael Whelan in gold ink.

John

billstand
03-28-2018, 04:56 PM
# 691 signed July 8th

webstar1000
03-29-2018, 03:48 AM
I will take any date.... lol I need a fine one. Mine was def not...

MikeDuke
03-29-2018, 05:08 AM
Mine is July 7th #541 ,and also inscribed and signed again by King. Plus it is also signed by Michael Whelan. It also has a small inscription and is signed again by King.

amd013
03-29-2018, 04:51 PM
I have 527 from July 7

Johnny007
04-02-2018, 05:19 PM
I'm not sure if this thread wants to identify all owners' numbers or just those numbers that come close to the previous date parameters. I'll just add what I have.

5 July -- #33
6 July -- #195
7 July -- #515
8 July -- #713

My lettered edition was signed on 8 July.

John

peripheral
04-03-2018, 04:23 AM
I have copy #281 on July 6

HONKYTONKSMASH
07-18-2018, 04:53 PM
July 5th-11
July 6th-309
July 7th-376
July 8th-618

Patrick
07-20-2018, 06:39 AM
I have #458 signed 7/7. Right in the range you assumed.

MikeDuke
07-20-2018, 06:46 AM
Again mine was signed on 7/7 and is number #541. Mine is also inscribed by King and signed by Michael.

lotuz
06-02-2020, 10:28 AM
Slightly updated totals in the original post! Saw a picture of #593 that was signed July 7 so that gives us a new lower limit for the July 8 copies :)

Fitzy93
06-02-2020, 11:05 AM
Slightly updated totals in the original post! Saw a picture of #593 that was signed July 7 so that gives us a new lower limit for the July 8 copies :)

Happy that my #593 helped update the info! It’s awesome that you are watching out for missing numbers that pop up!

Mike


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Ivo
06-02-2020, 01:21 PM
Just picked up #597, dated July 7th.

lotuz
06-02-2020, 02:19 PM
Just picked up #597, dated July 7th.

Two updates in one day!! Getting on this!!

lotuz
06-02-2020, 02:39 PM
Today was actually a really informative jump because both of the books were signed on the upper end of the July 7th block, shrinking the potential size of the July 8th block. Now it is almost certain that July 8 is the rarest day!

Pretty much the only way that July 5th could be the rarest day is if the highest book in the July 5th block is #125 and the lowest book on July 8th is at most #600.

It's also technically possible that the highest book on July 5th is #127 and the lowest on July 8th is #599 in which case both days would have 127 books (17.5%).