Stephen King Collecting Questions

[biomieg]

My 2 cents: my copy of NIGHT SHIFT is also an ex-library book, in much, much better shape (albeit priceclipped), and I got it for $45 from our fellow member Mulleins. So I'd say $100 for this book is way too much. Now if the DJ was in (much) better shape I would have gladly paid $100 for it so I could marry it to my book.

[Ben Staad]

My 2 cents: my copy of NIGHT SHIFT is also an ex-library book, in much, much better shape (albeit priceclipped), and I got it for $45 from our fellow member Mulleins. So I'd say $100 for this book is way too much. Now if the DJ was in (much) better shape I would have gladly paid $100 for it so I could marry it to my book.

Thanks for your 2 cents Michaël. After a goods nights rest I think I have a dollar figure in mind for this book. It's probably less then what it will sell for so I'm not sure if I will even bid.

[TwistedNadine]

I know this seller. He's not a member here but but lurks. He recently upgraded to a much nicer Night Shift 1st 1st and was going to leave the beat up one on his bookshelf thinking it would never sell for anything and then he saw this Ex Lib sale! No harm in seeing what he can get for his extra copy, IMHO.

http://cgi.ebay.com/STEPHEN-KING-NIG...item19c67d5e60

[Dolso]

That Night Shift is totaled in my opinion. Not worth $25.

I agree that we'd have to hunt long and hard to find a book like this in a carlosdetwieler or a shibus collection but I'd also have a hard time believing that they had NEVER owned a similar copy. Sure, if you feel comfortable spending $600 - $800 - $1000 for a better copy, then by all means go for it! But if you're trying to put a collection together & don't have that kind of money readily available, then this is the type of book you'd look at.

Seriously? You wouldn't bid on a first Night Shift for $8?? No matter what the condition... I've spent more than that on a paper-back book that I didn't even think I'd enjoy reading! More than that on one glass of wine!! As far as $25 goes (that's TWO glasses of wine), I'd assume that book restorers can do wonders with a book in poor condition..........turning that $25 or $35 book into a "Pride & Joy".

[TwistedNadine]

I agree with Dolso. I think it's an interesting conversation about how personal collecting can be. We all have aspirations to own a collection of FINE first editions but the reality is that there are budget restraints. Personally I will buy an item that's beat up if the inscription is personal and unique, or its something I really want but can't afford in pristine condition, or an item that is virtually impossible to find. Top on my want list is an original Marshroots. Would I settle for a copy that has water stains or a prior owner's name written in ink? If the price is consistent with condition then absolutely. I may never have another opportunity to own one - beat up or not. But for me price, budget and my list of collecting priorities are the driving forces.

[Cook]

Does anybody happen to know the approximate print run for Cemetery Dance's Advance uncorrected proof of Blockade Billy?

[Ric]

Sorry, I disagree.There's a big difference between a book in less than perfect condition and that one. That book is completely totaled and shouldn't be considered anything more than a reading copy. It's very disingenuous to claim that the only two choices are an $800 book or one that's completely trashed. There are plenty of books out there in far better condition than this that do not cost hundreds of dollars. The Night Shift I own is in "less than perfect" condition and I'm very happy with it, but the book listed is simply not worth anything more than a novelty purchase.

That Night Shift is totaled in my opinion. Not worth $25.

I agree that we'd have to hunt long and hard to find a book like this in a carlosdetwieler or a shibus collection but I'd also have a hard time believing that they had NEVER owned a similar copy. Sure, if you feel comfortable spending $600 - $800 - $1000 for a better copy, then by all means go for it! But if you're trying to put a collection together & don't have that kind of money readily available, then this is the type of book you'd look at.

Seriously? You wouldn't bid on a first Night Shift for $8?? No matter what the condition... I've spent more than that on a paper-back book that I didn't even think I'd enjoy reading! More than that on one glass of wine!! As far as $25 goes (that's TWO glasses of wine), I'd assume that book restorers can do wonders with a book in poor condition..........turning that $25 or $35 book into a "Pride & Joy".

[jhanic]

Does anybody happen to know the approximate print run for Cemetery Dance's Advance uncorrected proof of Blockade Billy?

According to Brian Freeman, there were 60 copies of the "regular" ARC, and 16 copies of the white proof.

Regular proof:



White proof:



John

[Dolso]

Sorry, I disagree.There's a big difference between a book in less than perfect condition and that one. That book is completely totaled and shouldn't be considered anything more than a reading copy. It's very disingenuous to claim that the only two choices are an $800 book or one that's completely trashed. There are plenty of books out there in far better condition than this that do not cost hundreds of dollars. The Night Shift I own is in "less than perfect" condition and I'm very happy with it, but the book listed is simply not worth anything more than a novelty purchase.

That Night Shift is totaled in my opinion. Not worth $25.

I agree that we'd have to hunt long and hard to find a book like this in a carlosdetwieler or a shibus collection but I'd also have a hard time believing that they had NEVER owned a similar copy. Sure, if you feel comfortable spending $600 - $800 - $1000 for a better copy, then by all means go for it! But if you're trying to put a collection together & don't have that kind of money readily available, then this is the type of book you'd look at.

Seriously? You wouldn't bid on a first Night Shift for $8?? No matter what the condition... I've spent more than that on a paper-back book that I didn't even think I'd enjoy reading! More than that on one glass of wine!! As far as $25 goes (that's TWO glasses of wine), I'd assume that book restorers can do wonders with a book in poor condition..........turning that $25 or $35 book into a "Pride & Joy".

Certainly, I'd agree - if it's your opinion that this book is worth nothing more than a novelty purchase then TO YOU it isn't. That doesn't mean that in someone elses eyes it might not be worth substantially more than what 's being asked for it. And, absolutely there is a huge difference in the books we're talking about (I'm not suggesting that an $8 book and an $800 book are the only options available). What I AM suggesting is that the old saying "one mans trash is another mans treasure" is true and that the value of anything is exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. That means that the value of this particular book might be $7.99 or it might be $107.99 -- there's no telling until the auction is over. For most of us, there is a balancing act during every purchase -- Am I willing to spend XX amount of money to receive this book in XX condition? That balancing act is different for every person.

[Ric]

I would never attempt to tell anyone what something should be worth to them. All I can do is offer my own opinion.

[Ben Staad]

Thanks for all the "spirited" comments on this. I think if I can get the book for a a bargain price I would be happy with it even in this condition. I don't have a 1st of this book and quite frankly I'm not sure when I could afford a nice copy. I don't think anyone with a VG or Fine of this book for sale would be down for a twelve month "layaway" plan.

[Cook]

Does anybody happen to know the approximate print run for Cemetery Dance's Advance uncorrected proof of Blockade Billy?

According to Brian Freeman, there were 60 copies of the "regular" ARC, and 16 copies of the white proof.

Regular proof:



White proof:



John

Thanks John
I guess that leads to my next question... I'm not much for proofs, but one (Regular Proof) is available.
Any opinions out there as to the value (appears unread)

[needfulthings]

Ben Staad A crappy book will always be a crappy book! If you really must have a 1st of Night Shift Hang in there save your pennies until you can aford a decent copy.Hopefuly you don't smoke but pretend you do and put the price of a pack in a jar every day you will be surprized how soon you can aford the book you want. Besides the seller is asking $8 handling. what bookseller charges handling? AMAZON I don't think hes that big, Looks like padding the sale to me.

[jhanic]

Thanks John
I guess that leads to my next question... I'm not much for proofs but one (Regular Proof) is available.
Any opinions out there as to the value (appears unread)

I wouldn't go more than $250 for one. 60 copies is a fairly limited print run, but BB is not that popular.

John

[Merlin1958]

That Night Shift is totaled in my opinion. Not worth $25.

I agree that we'd have to hunt long and hard to find a book like this in a carlosdetwieler or a shibus collection but I'd also have a hard time believing that they had NEVER owned a similar copy. Sure, if you feel comfortable spending $600 - $800 - $1000 for a better copy, then by all means go for it! But if you're trying to put a collection together & don't have that kind of money readily available, then this is the type of book you'd look at.

Seriously? You wouldn't bid on a first Night Shift for $8?? No matter what the condition... I've spent more than that on a paper-back book that I didn't even think I'd enjoy reading! More than that on one glass of wine!! As far as $25 goes (that's TWO glasses of wine), I'd assume that book restorers can do wonders with a book in poor condition..........turning that $25 or $35 book into a "Pride & Joy".

I agree with you Dick. For the price, why not take a chance? BTW, a fellow member (Rusher) is an absolute wizard at repairing books with some relatively simple tricks and talent. I'm sure there are others that can apply the same talents and techniques to even a book as "totaled" as this one. Bet you could ask Hutch or Shibus as well. Rusher has sure amazed me in the past, plus there are plenty of firm's that "restore" books. At the right price it just may be worth the investment. Remember, there were only what? 12,000 firsts printed?

[Tito_Villa]

Personally i don't think the book is trashed far from it, i would rather have a book in that condition than none at all. Hell for the price it will go for it will mean that you will have a rare book and can then go on to other targets. If you ever come into any money and can upgrade its not as if you have wasted $100's on a poor copy!

If i didn't have to pay postage from the US i would bid on it!

[CRinVA]

Hey I am looking ofr opinions of the pros here; this pic is a bookplate pasted into a VG/VG Skeleton Crew First Edition. Comments on the signature?
It's Worth????

Sorry for the slight glare. Pic taken with my iphone.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

All lines are smooth and shows consistency throughout including the date.

Matches my database of an 84 King signature.

REAL

I think that is the first 84 bookplate I've seen. Interesting.

Mulleins

[Tito_Villa]

But what sort of value do bookplates add to the books, i'm not sure i like the idea of stuff being stuck to a book, even if it hold a King sig

[CRinVA]

Thanks Ralph -

Tito - for sure not my priority to have a book with a bookplate added, but for the price I am happy with the purchase. The book is in as good or better condition than my current 1st Edition Skeleton Crew and it appears to have a valid signature and I paid $35 for it. I'm happy with the purchase!

[Ric]

The sig on the bookplate is legit. I've never been a fan of bookplates either. That's mostly why I do not care to collect the UK limited editions.

[Tito_Villa]

Thanks Ralph -

Tito - for sure not my priority to have a book with a bookplate added, but for the price I am happy with the purchase. The book is in as good or better condition than my current 1st Edition Skeleton Crew and it appears to have a valid signature and I paid $35 for it. I'm happy with the purchase!

For $35, that seems to be a great price!

[CRinVA]

I appreciate teh opinions. For teh record I just took swapped the dust jackets and am very happy to have this new 1st Ed Skeleton Crew stacked among my 1st Edition Collection - which is missing one book at this point!

The elusive Salem's Lot! I just can't part with the kind of cash it takes to obtain one so I continue to search for that "unbelieveable deal" and can be patient. One day i will get one. I used to think that I'd never have a First Carrie or Night Shift or Gunslinger, but over the last couple of years I have managed to obtain them all at steals - other than The Gunslinger, which I did get for a good price but still expensive to say the least!

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

Watch out. It may be a photocopy!

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Watch out. It may be a photocopy!

As good as copiers are today, a lot of truth in that statement.

The sig is legit, but was it done by King or Xerox?