Stephen King Collecting Questions

[ICry4Oy]

I kinda figured there'd be no difference but I get emails saying things along the lines of "an exclusive issue" and then I'll see the exact same thing at Target and it is sometimes half the price. Like the Blockade Billy I got from an online place when I wish I'd waited and just got the Target one.

....I have noticed that 2nd/3rd,etc. printing thing though...

[biomieg]

In the case of BLOCKADE BILLY there may have been a difference. The Cemetery Dance first edition is not the same edition as the Scribner first edition. But generally, if it's really the same book, then it shouldn't matter where you get it.

[cgallagh44]

Did the "Dead Zone-First Edition" from Easton Press come with a slipcase? Also, how can you tell this book is a First Edition?

Thanks

[Ric]

Did the "Dead Zone-First Edition" from Easton Press come with a slipcase? Also, how can you tell this book is a First Edition?

Thanks

No it did not come with a slipcase but "The Collector" ( www.skcollector.com) sells an aftermarket one that is very nice and fits the Easton press edition perfectly.

The first edition has a slightly different spine design regarding the box around the book title and the ornamentation.
http://skcollector.com/limited/deadzone1vs2.html

[cgallagh44]

Thanks Ric for the info and for responding so fast...I appreciate it.

[cgallagh44]

Just bought a first edition of "CuJo"...when I opened the cover I noticed a price written in pencil on the top of the first blank page. I contacted the seller (eBay) and he informed me that it would be difficult to find any used book that has not been priced by a bookseller at some point.

Just trying to get some feedback on this.

Thanks

[biomieg]

I'm sorry but that's bullshit (excusez le mot). I'm not saying there aren't many used books with notes in pencil but this is just a seller who doesn't want to take his responsibilities. I have tons of used trade hardcovers and only a few came with these inscriptions.

*edit* I must say that I'm usually not too upset by light pencil inscriptions, I simply erase them.

[carlosdetweiller]

Just bought a first edition of "CuJo"...when I opened the cover I noticed a price written in pencil on the top of the first blank page. I contacted the seller (eBay) and he informed me that it would be difficult to find any used book that has not been priced by a bookseller at some point.

Just trying to get some feedback on this.

Thanks

Pencil notations are pretty common. It should be easily erasable. If you don't already have one go to an office supply store and buy a non-abrasive gum eraser. Never use any eraser on the end of a pencil. It should erase easily and not damage the paper. If you get a good eraser you can rub pretty hard and do so safely.

[Ric]

Just bought a first edition of "CuJo"...when I opened the cover I noticed a price written in pencil on the top of the first blank page. I contacted the seller (eBay) and he informed me that it would be difficult to find any used book that has not been priced by a bookseller at some point.

Just trying to get some feedback on this.

Thanks

Pencil notations are pretty common. It should be easily erasable. If you don't already have one go to an office supply store and buy a non-abrasive gum eraser. Never use any eraser on the end of a pencil. It should erase easily and not damage the paper. If you get a good eraser you can rub pretty hard and do so safely.

Totally agree with Bob. I've bought my share of books priced by the seller in pencil (one store in NYC is notorious for this). Simply follow Bob's instructions and you should be fine.

[George at C-Springs]

I agree with the above, but that doesn't alleviate the fact that the seller should have informed you of the pencil annotation. If it's a heavy pencil mark that may not come out, I'd say return it and go for the refund. You can always drop him some negative feedback as well if he's just being a dick about it.

[Rahfa]

Pencil notations are not really considered flaws to be identified...if you explicity asked if there were any pencil marks, obviously they should have told you...but by itself, it's not a flaw or something most booksellers will feel obligated to mention (back in the old days, I think most rare bookstores used them). Nor should it affect resale price.

If you were happy with the price, keep it. I would not try to erase it...ANY mistake on your part could create a mark that would look a lot worse than a penciled price.

[cgallagh44]

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback, I really appreciate it...I will definitely look for a gum eraser (non-abrasive).

[Ben Staad]

Quick question. Is the gift edition of "Insomnia" actually numbered?

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Quick question. Is the gift edition of "Insomnia" actually numbered?

No

[Ben Staad]

Quick question. Is the gift edition of "Insomnia" actually numbered?

No

Thanks. There was a seller on Ebay who was selling a copy which he states is #1 of 3,750. I specifically asked if this is actually #1 and he responded with a yes. In hindsight I should have been a bit more specific in my question. I didn't buy the book because I thought it was odd that an unsigned gift edition would be numbered.

[thegreattim]

I've seen that before in other auctions. I think they usually are just trying to say "this is one book from an edition of 3750." Just not so clearly.

[AKC]

Hey TDT junkies. I am in the process of acquiring a S/L #'d Regulators from David and I noticed that he has another one on his website that lists the # as 573. I thought that there were only 500 total #'d Limiteds released for Regulators?!

Probably just a typo unless somebody out there knows something I don't (which is very likely).....

Tim

[jhanic]

It's probably a typo. There were only 500 numbered copies issued.

John

[Shannon]

Question. Let's say I bought a Gunslinger second edition from someone that really didn't know what they had. I gave a fair price, a little under market value. They described the book and dustjacket to me, all is great. But I received the book today, and the yellow on the spine ... is white.

I had asked for pictures of the front, rear, inside dustjacket price, and "second edition" on the copyright page. I didn't ask one of the spine. Is this my fault, or is it the seller's fault, even though the book itself doesn't LOOK faded (it just looks like the lettering on the spine was supposed to be white)? Thanks.

Shannon

[Patrick]

If the seller were uninformed and the buyer were informed, then it's hard to blame the seller for not mentioning something that only an informed party would recognize.

[Garrell]

I made that mistake today when my Gerald's Game 1st/1st arrived today, replacing my 1st/3rd. Drinking beer, itunes and a quick click. I know what I am looking for and didn't see/ask things I know. My fault, seller gets a positive and I have a cheap reading copy.

[Shannon]

I'm leaning towards it being my fault as well, but I don't know, he mentioned the "dust jacket and book in both fine condition", and they are ... with the exception of this damn white lettering on the spine. Maybe I'll get a highlighter or something and fix it, lol

I think I'm going to bring it up with the seller, I've bought a ton of stuff from him before. The SK Newsletters, a lot of old magazines and anthologies. I'm going to mention it with no feelings either way and see what he would like to do. If he wants to do a refund, great. If he wants to give some of my money back, great. If he doesn't want to do anything, I guess that will be O with me too. I won't push it or seem TOO disappointed. Like ..."UGH! FUCKIN' FINE, MAN! WORST. SELLER. EVER!" lol, it's all good. Now I know ... when buying something over $100 from someone OTHER than David, lol, ask tons of questions and for tons of pictures.

[George at C-Springs]

If the seller were uninformed and the buyer were informed, then it's hard to blame the seller for not mentioning something that only an informed party would recognize.

I'd have to agree. It's one thing to have something arrive blatantly not as described, but Joe Blow selling a book likely isn't going to know about spine sunfading. Even if he does, he may not be familiar with what it looks like on teh particular volume that you're buying. IMO that's just one of the questions that you need to ask as the buyer if it's not mentioned in the description, whether the seller has a 5 feedback or 5000. Sometimes even the photographs lie; depending on the camera skills of the seller, it may look totally different in your hand than it does on the screen.

[Garrell]

Sometimes, if you do your job, you can get what you paid for and more. My Night Shift 1st that I got today was way better than photos showed. S52, non-clipped and all, happy to the point that it would be the last thing in my collection that I would replace. That seller made me smile for a week or two. Point being, the photos weren't great but I knew the minimume (ms) I was getting for my $100 plus book. I saw it was a value, to me, and made the purchase knowing the worst result. I win, in my eyes. 95 % of the time, $100+ book or not, proper research and photos, you should know what is a good value or ask before make a bigger purchase

[CurtSeattle]

How much are the non-clipped ones going for these days? Trying to figure out how much a really good shape clipped one is worth.