Stephen King Collecting Questions

[stroppygoblin]

They are fairly scarce, especially considering they were issued as a promotional item.

John

Thanks John. Was wondering as you don't seem to see them up for sale too often

Anyone know roughly how many of these were done?

I nearly bought that - was it a 1st printing ?

Glad you didn't, Simon! Yes it's a 1st printing.

I decided against it because it was an ARC/Promo (which I don't collect) . There is another version out there (different type face) but I cant find any info on 1st printings (Which I DO collect if they are a PB and it is the only version of the story available - outside of a collection) - hey, my rules and it works for me

[jhanic]

The only other one that I know of was issued here in the USA as a mass-market paperback. I'll have to dig my copy out to see any first printing info.

John

[jonahwriter]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this question or if I should look for a "Just After Sunset" thread but does anyone know anything about "JAS" signed bookplates featuring graphic from "N"? Were these UK or US editions and were the bookplates sold separately or pasted into editions of the book? I'd love to pick up a signed bookplate for my Rachel Readman remarqued edition of "JAS". Also not sure where I'd find one. Appreciate any info on this. Thanks!

I got one from a friend inside the publisher. It was in the US edition.

Thanks Ari.

I'm finding it hard to find out info about them. I saw one go on ebay a few months ago but the seller said they had pasted it inside the book themselves, so I'm still not sure if they were released separately or not. Do they ever turn up for sale? Anyone ever seen one? I'd like to put one in my remarqued copy if I can ever get one.

[webstar1000]

Yeah I would like one of those too

[stroppygoblin]

The only other one that I know of was issued here in the USA as a mass-market paperback. I'll have to dig my copy out to see any first printing info.

John

Thanks John!!

[Br!an]

Yeah I would like one of those too

I'll take a couple.

[Roog]

Anyone know roughly how many of these were done?

Interesting book! What is the size of it?

[The Library Policeman]

It's the size of a regular UK paperback, Roog. Just a very thin one.

[Roog]

Thanks

[jhanic]

Here's a scan of both the US and UK editions. The fronts:



And the backs:



The US edition is on the right.

The UK edition has 180 pages of text, the US 220. The US edition is slightly smaller vertically than the UK.

The US edition has a full number line on the copyright page, starting with a 1.

John

[herbertwest]

What the hell is this picture of Steve on the backcover?

[webstar1000]

If you had a dry area, not much light, kind of dusty... would you have your prized DT set wrapped? I have a guy who wraps books in my city and swears by it for protecting them from dust, moisture, hand prints, oils from touching... you name it. What you think? He will wrap my whole DT set for only a few bucks.. thoughts?

[Br!an]

If you had a dry area, not much light, kind of dusty... would you have your prized DT set wrapped? I have a guy who wraps books in my city and swears by it for protecting them from dust, moisture, hand prints, oils from touching... you name it. What you think? He will wrap my whole DT set for only a few bucks.. thoughts?

I see no problem with archival bags.

[RC65]

I wouldn't...contrary to what your guy says, that's a good way to trap moisture and ruin a book. That's why shrinkwrap should always be removed, and bags never sealed.

Besides, hermetically sealing a book just seems wrong to me...you should be able to open it and thumb through it from time to time if you wish, keep its spirit alive. Sealing it off to the world changes it from a potential doorway to creative expression to a block of paper and boards.

[thegunslinger41]

I have DT3-WTTKH still in original shrinkwrap and I am going to take the wrap off sometime very soon, at which point I will probably put then in archival mylar.


G

[webstar1000]

I know guys that have them shrinkwrapped since new.. and we are talking 30+ years. I wonder if there is any definitive proof?? Be nice to know as I am on the fence for the reasons listed so far...

[RC65]

On an anecdotal level, I have had two books from prominent publishers that were shrinkwrapped that had mildew issues. I've also read comments from book conservators that this issue does exist. To what degree is debatable and I would guess depends on a number of factors -- environment where it was wrapped, materials used, etc. -- but why even gamble?

[Br!an]

A collector should always remove the shrink wrap to inspect the book. Even a brand new book directly from the publisher could have issues. I've seen mold, mildew, damp staining, creased dustjackets, creased pages, printing errors, glue in various places, book not signed, book not numbered/lettered, etc.. I can see a reseller leaving it on though.

If you use archival bags then your books are protected and accessible.

[jhanic]

Using an archival plastic bag to protect your books should not in any way be considered "hermetically sealing" the item. The bag is loose enough that, even if closed with a piece of tape, still allows air to circulate pretty freely.

John

[jhanic]

What the hell is this picture of Steve on the backcover?

It says the pioto is by Dennis Marsico on the back cover.

John

[stroppygoblin]

The US edition is on the right.

The UK edition has 180 pages of text, the US 220. The US edition is slightly smaller vertically than the UK.

The US edition has a full number line on the copyright page, starting with a 1.

John

John, firstly thanks for this and secondly, does that mean the UK ONLY had the promo edition? no mass market version?

[Ben Eads]

Unless the archival bags are from brodart and have a zip-seal at the top.

Of course, I'm sure after 100 years or so the zip-lock seal would give up the ghost.

[RC65]

Using an archival plastic bag to protect your books should not in any way be considered "hermetically sealing" the item. The bag is loose enough that, even if closed with a piece of tape, still allows air to circulate pretty freely.

John

I agree; I was using that term to describe what webstar indicates was a shrinkwrapping operation: "would you have your prized DT set wrapped? I have a guy who wraps books in my city and swears by it"...didn't sound like bags to me since you don't need someone to put your books in bags for you, hence my assumption of the shrinkwrap. That said, though, some conservators contend that bags shouldn't even be taped as it still has the potential to trap moisture. I don't know that I'd go that far, but I do tend to keep any of my books in bags (in my case, primarily old pbos (paperback originals from the 50s and 60s)) very loosely sealed.

[jhanic]

The US edition is on the right.

The UK edition has 180 pages of text, the US 220. The US edition is slightly smaller vertically than the UK.

The US edition has a full number line on the copyright page, starting with a 1.

John

John, firstly thanks for this and secondly, does that mean the UK ONLY had the promo edition? no mass market version?

Correct. I've not seen a regular (for sale) UK mass-market paperback. Only a very few promotional ones. I've not seen a US promo edition.

John

[jhanic]

Using an archival plastic bag to protect your books should not in any way be considered "hermetically sealing" the item. The bag is loose enough that, even if closed with a piece of tape, still allows air to circulate pretty freely.

John

I agree; I was using that term to describe what webstar indicates was a shrinkwrapping operation: "would you have your prized DT set wrapped? I have a guy who wraps books in my city and swears by it"...didn't sound like bags to me since you don't need someone to put your books in bags for you, hence my assumption of the shrinkwrap. That said, though, some conservators contend that bags shouldn't even be taped as it still has the potential to trap moisture. I don't know that I'd go that far, but I do tend to keep any of my books in bags (in my case, primarily old pbos (paperback originals from the 50s and 60s)) very loosely sealed.

I don't tape my bags either. Only when I sell an item and ship it will I tape the bag with a single piece of tape.

John