Stephen King Collecting Questions

[carlosdetweiller]

Maybe they are "PC/proof" type unnumbered copies that someone added a "letter" to?

The lettered edition of THE PLANT, PART 1 was clearly an afterthought. On the limitation page "and 26 lettered copies" is written in by hand along with the letter. But Parts 2 & 3 have the lettered limitation printed so they were clearly thought out beforehand.

THE EYES OF THE DRAGON limitation page makes no mention of a lettered state but there are apparently 26 red lettered copies and 26 black lettered copies. Regardless of the original intent, where the heck did they all go?

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

More new stuff to try to fit into my tiny brain. Thanks for the info Bob.

[Rahfa]

A few years ago Lloyd Currey sold Kirby McCauley's set. I have no idea who bought it but I think it sold for $6K which was pretty high in those days.

I have sets signed to Bill Thompson (King's editor at Doubleday) and Kay McCauley (Kirby's sister and co-owner of the agency).

Bob has two sets. OK, who is surprised?

I recall seeing a Lettered set once. Was that Chris's? Do you own a lettered set Bob?

I have a lettered set. I don't know who bought Chris's though.

Chris' set is a numbered set...and soon will be owned by someone other than me...so sad....

[Sam]

Perhaps they went into the ether and have never actually been distributed. Kidding about the ether part, but not the last bit. What IF they were actually printed, but never given out for one reason of another? How did those other two make it into the collector's world?

[Bev Vincent]

THE EYES OF THE DRAGON limitation page makes no mention of a lettered state but there are apparently 26 red lettered copies and 26 black lettered copies. Regardless of the original intent, where the heck did they all go?

According to Barry R. Levin: "There are also two other uncommon states not called out for on the limitation page: 1) a red lettered state, limited to no more than 26 copies for familial presentation; a black lettered state, limited to no more than 26 copies for presentation to close friends. "

[carlosdetweiller]

A few years ago Lloyd Currey sold Kirby McCauley's set. I have no idea who bought it but I think it sold for $6K which was pretty high in those days.

I have sets signed to Bill Thompson (King's editor at Doubleday) and Kay McCauley (Kirby's sister and co-owner of the agency).

Bob has two sets. OK, who is surprised?

I recall seeing a Lettered set once. Was that Chris's? Do you own a lettered set Bob?

I have a lettered set. I don't know who bought Chris's though.

Chris' set is a numbered set...and soon will be owned by someone other than me...so sad....

Chris had a lettered set also. In the initial listing he sent me he had it priced at $10K.

He had a numbered set (including the red lettered EOTD) inscribed to Alex Berman of Phantasia Press. He had those four items priced at $9K.

[Rahfa]

No, I meant SK's friend Chris Chesley...I have the set of the Plant inscribed to him, which is numbered. But, like I said, it won't be mine for too much longer.

[carlosdetweiller]

No, I meant SK's friend Chris Chesley...I have the set of the Plant inscribed to him, which is numbered. But, like I said, it won't be mine for too much longer.

OK. I understand now. I thought you meant Chris Cavalier.

[WeDealInLead]

Thoughts on plastic covers when a book already has a slipcase? Is this overkill? I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies. Just wondering what the general practice is.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Thoughts on plastic covers when a book already has a slipcase? Is this overkill? I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies. Just wondering what the general practice is.

It's not overkill at all. In fact, if you need to take the book out of the slipcase the Brodart cover keeps the jacket protected as you slide it in and out.

My copies are Brodart covered and put in slipcase.

Mulleins
Cumberland VA

[Randall Flagg]

Good and bad.
Broadart covers protect the dust-jacket, but IMO also contribute to, and hide defects. The tighter the fit on a slipcase the greater chance of cumulative damage to the book just by removal and re-insertion. There is almost always a vacuum on tight slipcases, and without great care and patience a nick or two can happen.

[carlosdetweiller]

Thoughts on plastic covers when a book already has a slipcase? Is this overkill? I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies. Just wondering what the general practice is.

Most of the time I put a Brodart (or something similar) on the dust jacket but sometimes the book fits so tightly in the slipcase that the extra width of the cover makes it almost impossible to slide the book in and out. I have a few that I have to shake fairly violently to get them out of the slipcase.

Early in my collecting I Brodarted (is that a word?) everything. I'm getting more lax in my advancing years and often let them go uncovered. It depends on the book. King books most always get a cover. With other authors it is hit and miss.

[carlosdetweiller]

Good and bad.
Broadart covers protect the dust-jacket, but IMO also contribute to, and hide defects.

That is something that Roy Robbins of Bad Moon Books taught me about 15 years ago. He said he ALWAYS takes the Brodart off of EVERY book that comes to him and inspects the dust jacket. I tend to do the same. They can hide many defects that you want to find out about sooner rather than later.

[Fsmdr]

Good and bad.
Broadart covers protect the dust-jacket, but IMO also contribute to, and hide defects.

That is something that Roy Robbins of Bad Moon Books taught me about 15 years ago. He said he ALWAYS takes the Brodart off of EVERY book that comes to him and inspects the dust jacket. I tend to do the same. They can hide many defects that you want to find out about sooner rather than later.

Good point Bob. I have found unexpected defects as well by removing the Brodart, mostly on older books. I actually once, had a happy surprise to find TWO dustjackets on a rare and out of print book. The dustjacket must have stuck together to be unnoticed. Plus I like all my Brodarts to be in pristine condition in my collection. Sometime they arrive quite dusty and full of scratches (the Brodart).

[frik]

I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies.

Do read the limiteds! Feels soooooooooo good......

sk

[WeDealInLead]

Thanks for all the responses. Basically... play it by ear seems to be the correct answer.

[Dolan]

Thoughts on plastic covers when a book already has a slipcase? Is this overkill? I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies. Just wondering what the general practice is.

I have a few that I have to shake fairly violently to get them out of the slipcase.

I got a good chuckle out of this, Bob. I find myself doing the exact same thing at times!

[The Library Policeman]

Thoughts on plastic covers when a book already has a slipcase? Is this overkill? I have all DT books in slipcases and paperbacks as reading copies. Just wondering what the general practice is.

I have a few that I have to shake fairly violently to get them out of the slipcase.

I got a good chuckle out of this, Bob. I find myself doing the exact same thing at times!

My copy of HE IS LEGEND is terrible for that.

[shnnrc01]

my copy of the gunslinger in the collectors slipcase is the same.

[Sir_Boomme]

ok... help me out guys.... I need my memory refreshed.

on the UK first edition Gunslinger Paperbacks....

I appear to have two versions -
both by sphere, both with the same ISBN # and same copyright pages.
both are priced:
U.K. 6.99
Aust,$16,99
N.Z. $17.99

on the spine "The Dark Tower 1: The Gunslinger"
one is in dark purple
one is in light baby blue (and the spine picture is basically monotoned blue)
(and no... it does not look simply faded)

anyone know the difference?

[Sir_Boomme]

one other question....

were there UK releases of the revised versions DT 1-4 ?

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

Revised versions of 2-4?

There are identical versions of the 4 Viking books published by Hodder & Stoughton in paperback form. They also come in a 7 volume boxed set.

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

on the UK first edition Gunslinger Paperbacks....

I appear to have two versions -
both by sphere, both with the same ISBN # and same copyright pages.
both are priced:
U.K. 6.99
Aust,$16,99
N.Z. $17.99

on the spine "The Dark Tower 1: The Gunslinger"
one is in dark purple
one is in light baby blue (and the spine picture is basically monotoned blue)
(and no... it does not look simply faded)

anyone know the difference?

I know there is a book club version, and also an edition without the illustrations. I don't have any of these to check.

[Sir_Boomme]

Revised versions of 2-4?

There are identical versions of the 4 Viking books published by Hodder & Stoughton in paperback form. They also come in a 7 volume boxed set.

thanks, guess i'll have to keep an eye out for those...

[frik]

ok... help me out guys.... I need my memory refreshed.

on the UK first edition Gunslinger Paperbacks....

I appear to have two versions -

one is in dark purple
one is in light baby blue (and the spine picture is basically monotoned blue)
(and no... it does not look simply faded)

anyone know the difference?

I never knew there were two editions - I've only got the light baby blue version.

sk