Stephen King Collecting Questions

[tippy4]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

[webstar1000]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

I tend to agree hence my ask here. I’m moving into a condo soon.... and am not sure if I’m going custom yet or not. Hence the cheaper version for now


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[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

IKEA Billy bookcases are terrible. Make your own with the best hardwood you can get. Your Lettered Editions deserve it.

[lotuz]

If you get a set of Billy cases they will (a) not set you back that much, relatively speaking, (b) look good, and (c) hold up well over time. They've come up over and over here and most members are more than satisfied with them. Additionally, and I think this is a nice feature, you can adjust the shelf size (to a point) which is really great for lettered editions as a lot of them don't conform to the standard sizes, either because of the book or because of the case.

That said, I do tend to agree that a nice collection deserves nice bookcases!

I love Barrister bookcases, which will hold all but the largest editions (mine hold books up to 11" tall). They are also modular, so you can switch them around any way you like. And if you like to display books with the front boards out, they look really good. The only downside is that there is no ability to adjust for shelf size.

Customized cases are also an option, and I think are probably the best of both worlds - great materials (if you pay for them), great presentation, and the ability to adjust the size as needed. I will never get rid of my Barrister cases but I would like someday to have a customized set of shelves built for my collection and space. Granted, the price is non-negligible. But the collection you are housing is worth, what - $100k? $200k? Regardless of the actual value, the point is that spending a couple thousand dollars on an appropriate set of cases is justified and worth it.

I decided a couple of years ago that the most important point to my collecting habit is that the books I end up with bring me joy when I see them. Part of that (for me) is being able to display and view them every day. I love being able to look over at my pride and joys any time I want. The cases are a big part of this!

So to me the question is: what kind of case is going to enable you to derive the most pleasure from your books? Whatever it is - it's worth it! Is it a bunch of adjustable Billy's with doors? Awesome!! Is it a customized case built specifically for you in your new condo? Great!!

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide

[allasorte]

IKEA Billy bookcases are terrible. Make your own with the best hardwood you can get. Your Lettered Editions deserve it.

Agreed. Or find something second hand. Like a solid wood curio or bookcase that matches your décor or one you can refinish/paint. I found some nice solid oak cases I repainted, but I am on the market for something that has adjustable shelves for the taller books.

[Br!an]

I'm a cabinetmaker.

The Billy bookcases are a great value for the money.

Custom cases for your space would be fantastic.

[amd013]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

How tall are the shelves? I think I own about 14 books that require 14 inches or more, of these I can fit 12 in my Billy bookcases (granted some not efficiently) (the other two are My pretty Pony lettered, and Knowing Darkness S/L). There are probably a few more that require 13-14 inches. While they aren't the best, the Billy's are still good, and they give you more flexibility, and are reasonably priced.

If you own a lot of Cemetery Dance Lettereds then how do you display them in the Hale Barristers? (I probably don't want to know because then I will be kicking myself)

Perhaps this should be moved to the bookcase thread?

[you ever seen a ghost?]

A friend of mine just purchased a red leather library copy of The Stand. This unopened promotional thing was in it - any idea what's inside? I couldn't find anything after a brief internet search...

it's either this or:

C294. “A Note from Stephen King” -

This is a four-page letter distributed to members of The Book-of-the-Month Club’s Stephen King Library.

Appearances:
1. 1989.
2. Reprinted in 1994.
3. Reprinted in 1999.

this:

C422. “From the Desk of Stephen King” -

This is a one-page letter to members of The Book-of-the-Month Club’s Stephen King Library.

Appearances:
1. 1998.
2. Reprinted in 2005.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

I received all these invitations but I never joined, so I never got the skeleton key ring, darn it.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

What is the scarcity of the Plume trade paperback "Advance reading copy" of THE DARK TOWER II compared to the orange Plume proof of the same title? And it's value? Just out of curiosity. I'm moving books around and forgot I had the ARC.

[wizardsrainbow]

What is the scarcity of the Plume trade paperback "Advance reading copy" of THE DARK TOWER II compared to the orange Plume proof of the same title? And it's value? Just out of curiosity. I'm moving books around and forgot I had the ARC.

Just one opinion....the ARC with pictorial wrappers is FAR more common than the Orange proof...I put value of wrappers ARC in Fine condition at $125-$150 and the Orange one (Fine) at $450-$500.

[wizardsrainbow]

Side note: Value of proofs very difficult....not everyone collects them; some avid proof collectors willing to pay what I deem ridiculous prices for a proof they want....no one ever really sure of just how many there are out there....makes placing a value quite difficult.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

Thanks David, good to know!

[Alec]

David is spot on!!
“Willing to pay what I deem ridiculous prices” seems an appropriate phrase for an Orange Plume proof DTII.

[tippy4]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

How tall are the shelves? I think I own about 14 books that require 14 inches or more, of these I can fit 12 in my Billy bookcases (granted some not efficiently) (the other two are My pretty Pony lettered, and Knowing Darkness S/L). There are probably a few more that require 13-14 inches. While they aren't the best, the Billy's are still good, and they give you more flexibility, and are reasonably priced.

If you own a lot of Cemetery Dance Lettereds then how do you display them in the Hale Barristers? (I probably don't want to know because then I will be kicking myself)

Perhaps this should be moved to the bookcase thread?

https://www.halebookcasesdirect.com/...rd-depth-units

https://www.halebookcasesdirect.com/...tra-deep-units

[peripheral]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

But if I extend that logic, the books are in shelves, the shelves are in a room, and the room is in a house - based on the value of my books, the house would be ~ 5.2 mil...(I'm working on it).

[Brian861]

I know I am going to stir the pot up with this comment......but why are you considering housing your valuable collection in a cheap bookcase?

You don't park a Ferrari in a cardboard box......right?

Bob Jackson turned me on to Hale Barrister Bookcases........they're pricey......But I like 'em.

How tall are the shelves? I think I own about 14 books that require 14 inches or more, of these I can fit 12 in my Billy bookcases (granted some not efficiently) (the other two are My pretty Pony lettered, and Knowing Darkness S/L). There are probably a few more that require 13-14 inches. While they aren't the best, the Billy's are still good, and they give you more flexibility, and are reasonably priced.

If you own a lot of Cemetery Dance Lettereds then how do you display them in the Hale Barristers? (I probably don't want to know because then I will be kicking myself)

Perhaps this should be moved to the bookcase thread?

https://www.halebookcasesdirect.com/...rd-depth-units

https://www.halebookcasesdirect.com/...tra-deep-units

They are gorgeous and something to aspire to obtain.

[darkseer]

Did Stephen King write a poem called "Tommy" in a magazine in 2010?

Found my answer Thanks.

[herbertwest]

A question that crossed my mind the other day.
Regarding valuable books.

If you have some very valuable books and want to take them off the shelves. Do you do anything specific in order to try not to leave any thumbrints / marks on them?
-> Do you wash your hands before and make sure that they are dry?
-> Do you specifically use a type of soap? Antibacterial soap? Although I think that this may be damaging the covers?
-> You dont really care and just go as you are in the moment you want to look at them?

[Br!an]

A question that crossed my mind the other day.
Regarding valuable books.

If you have some very valuable books and want to take them off the shelves. Do you do anything specific in order to try not to leave any thumbrints / marks on them?
-> Do you wash your hands before and make sure that they are dry?
-> Do you specifically use a type of soap? Antibacterial soap? Although I think that this may be damaging the covers?
-> You dont really care and just go as you are in the moment you want to look at them?

I wash and dry my hands for most books. I'll also occasionally wear gloves depending on the book.

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

I don't really wash much. My ecoli and ebola doesn't seem to affect the paper at all.

[kingfan2323]

Curious what edition is on the right? Copyright page is the same. Just an ARC? Was just curious.

Thx

looking for: NOS4A2 (sub press)
Dead Zone 1st/1st, Boy's Life S/L

[Br!an]

Do you have the book? Check the copyright and limitation page. There was a trade, a numbered and a lettered state of this book. Not sure what that one is.

[kingfan2323]

Do you have the book? Check the copyright and limitation page. There was a trade, a numbered and a lettered state of this book. Not sure what that one is.

Hey Brian,

I do have thr book. Copyright is the same as the trade. No limitation page.

looking for: NOS4A2 (sub press)
Dead Zone 1st/1st, Boy's Life S/L

[Patrick]

Hey guys, do you remember when someone did some little Oy sculptures? Full body, sort of curled up, like resting or waiting. They were done by an artist whose last name is McVey. I think it was Alex McVey, but I’d like to confirm before I risk giving Alex credit for someone else’s work. Thanks.