Book Collections: Zaius

[DoctorZaius]

A quick break from remarques to share a fun story and one very special Stephen King inscription. In the year before I got married my wife (Yankees fan) and I (Boston fan) had decided that instead of having the guests at reception be seated at tables with number designations we would instead seat people at tables designated by our favorite authors - we are English teachers who love to read. One such table was of course reserved for Stephen King - it was my mother's table. Well, in November of the year before my wife and I attended a reading/signing King did while promoting Bag of Bones. When we arrived the ushers stated that King would not be personalizing anything, much to our dismay. Well, after a stellar reading and Q/A, we lined up - thankfully, we were last in line. Mr. King seemed relieved to be done with the throng of people and actually gave us about five minutes of good conversation. We explained to him how we were both English teachers in vocational school and that we teach a number of his books in our classes (Carrie, Eyes of the Dragon, The Body, Shawshank Redemption, as well as a number of short stories). He seemed genuinely pleased to hear that many of our reluctant readers really enjoyed his books and many had in fact jumped into some of his other works. We then got into what we were doing with books at our upcoming wedding. Needless to say, we got more than just two flatsigned books. He signed one, "To the guests of Greg and Denise's wedding - join me in wishing them well - Stephen King." This is the book we put at my mother's table, but unfortunately she did not wind up with it, a friend of her's did. The other book is the one pictured, which he signed, "To Greg and Denise - Keep Teaching My Books! - Stephen King." To this day I still bring the book into school to share with my students. I have been to many readings and signings over the years, but this is the only one I was lucky enough to get inscribed - all the others I've sold off. Thanks for reading my story - enjoy!

[Merlin1958]

A quick break from remarques to share a fun story and one very special Stephen King inscription. In the year before I got married my wife (Yankees fan) and I (Boston fan) had decided that instead of having the guests at reception be seated at tables with number designations we would instead seat people at tables designated by our favorite authors - we are English teachers who love to read. One such table was of course reserved for Stephen King - it was my mother's table. Well, in November of the year before my wife and I attended a reading/signing King did while promoting Bag of Bones. When we arrived the ushers stated that King would not be personalizing anything, much to our dismay. Well, after a stellar reading and Q/A, we lined up - thankfully, we were last in line. Mr. King seemed relieved to be done with the throng of people and actually gave us about five minutes of good conversation. We explained to him how we were both English teachers in vocational school and that we teach a number of his books in our classes (Carrie, Eyes of the Dragon, The Body, Shawshank Redemption, as well as a number of short stories). He seemed genuinely pleased to hear that many of our reluctant readers really enjoyed his books and many had in fact jumped into some of his other works. We then got into what we were doing with books at our upcoming wedding. Needless to say, we got more than just two flatsigned books. He signed one, "To the guests of Greg and Denise's wedding - join me in wishing them well - Stephen King." This is the book we put at my mother's table, but unfortunately she did not wind up with it, a friend of her's did. The other book is the one pictured, which he signed, "To Greg and Denise - Keep Teaching My Books! - Stephen King." To this day I still bring the book into school to share with my students. I have been to many readings and signings over the years, but this is the only one I was lucky enough to get inscribed - all the others I've sold off. Thanks for reading my story - enjoy!

Great story and even greater inscription!!! So, your wife married a Red Sux fan? Now man, that's LOVE!!!!!

[carlosdetweiller]

Super story! Thanks for sharing.

[bdwyer19]

Awesome story!! I've loved following your collection so far!

[Merlin1958]

Awesome story!! I've loved following your collection so far!

Yes!! Reminds me of, Ralph' "Tales from the Closet"!!! Great work!!!

[jhanic]

A wonderful story, Zais. If it were me, I'd treasure that book for a long, long time!

John

[Bad Penny]

Great back story Greg !!!!

Keep them coming mate

[DoctorZaius]

You might be surprised to know that of all my limited editions, the one I most treasure is NOT a Stephen King one. Not even my limited edition of The Stand can touch this treasure - this book was my Holy Grail! When I came across the blog on 100 greatest books of all time I immediately nominated, Geek Love, by Katherine Dunn. To my surprise no seems to have read it. This National Book Award nominee is one of, if not the, favorite book of mine. It's an unforgettable tale of a family of circus freaks (the mother actually ingests drugs during pregnancy to continue the family tradition in deformity). The novel is just crazy, and it comes with my highest recommendation. By chance I came across someone who had heard that there was a limited edition of the book - a rarer than rare limited edition. Only 32 copies were produced (only 26 of which were offered for sale) - all were lettered. There was no numbered edition. Artist Mare Blocker created a stunning limited edition for the ages. The case is done in the shape of a circus tent (notice the raised tent shape on the front and title on the rear). The multi-color interior boards create an oddly festive feeling for such a strange book. The article on the book mentions one of the interior one-of-a-kind interior pieces, Aqua Boy. Arturo (Aqua Boy) is the main antagonist of the book -

Spoiler:

Arturo has no hands and feet and actually begins his own cult following with people cutting thier own hands and feet off in effigy! Great Stuff!!!"

My copy, as you can see, is Aqua Boy (Letter 'E' - real treat to have with the article that mentions him. Arturo himself is slightly raised in the artwork. I can't begin to tell you how hard to worked to get this one. I hope that this intrigues enough of you to give the book a try - it's amazing!

[CyberGhostface]

That's really neat. I tried reading 'Geek Love' but I never got around to finish it, I need to get it again some time.

[Bad Penny]

Love the presentation of "Geek Love" Greg, it's certainly a cool approach (and the art is great) - thanks for sharing (and the story, love the back stories!!!)

Maybe one day Amazon will release this as a Kindle book (just checked, however; only hard copies are available at this point in time).

[DoctorZaius]

Love the presentation of "Geek Love" Greg, it's certainly a cool approach (and the art is great) - thanks for sharing (and the story, love the back stories!!!)

Maybe one day Amazon will release this as a Kindle book (just checked, however; only hard copies are available at this point in time).

What a bummer! I never noticed it wasn't available.

[DoctorZaius]

Next up is a personal favorite, my signed limited edition of the script for Night of the Living Dead. Glenn Chadbournne was doing remarques in these for CD and I sent him my picture ( was wearing my JAWS - "We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat t-shirt" and here is what Glenn came up with for my zombified portrait. A cool one - and a number "1" to boot!!!

[Bad Penny]

Love this one Greg, particularly the personalisation and it being No 1 !!!

I, too, signed up for this edition when CD announced it, and opted for a personal inscription by John Russo, to wit, "Cerebra, gustatus similis pullus"

Or, if your Latin's a tad rusty ....

Spoiler:

Brains, taste like chicken

[DoctorZaius]

Great idea on the "brains" line! Wish I had thought of that!

[The Library Policeman]

That's awesome

[Stockerlone]

Supernice !!!

[DoctorZaius]

Today's addition is part of my Joe Hill collection. Those who have read it will recognize the red Gremlin car in front - the first car I ever owned was an AMC Gremlin, in red! Karma is pretty cool! Vinny did a wonderful remarque, one that I have seen in other editions, but one that is so perfect for the book. A nice low number that matches my Gunpowder book. Enjoy!

[Ben Staad]

Nice copy of Horns. Love the illustration from V.C.

[Jimimck]

Love that Hill edition. Horns was the first Hill book I've read (but have taken your advice and started Heart Shaped Box), and I loved it. Always thought I should get a nice edition to have, but I may look for a signed first edition.

[DoctorZaius]

Both the Horns and Heart books have great productions. The British editions are cool, as are the limiteds! Enjoy Heart!

[DoctorZaius]

Can't say enough about this book - I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!! And I love the remarque by Vinny too!

[Stockerlone]

Beautiful Books.
Love both remarques from Vinny !!!

[Merlin1958]

Awesome remarque!!! I am jealous!!!

[DoctorZaius]

Yeah, Vinny worked his tail off on this one.

[DoctorZaius]

Here is a very simple remarque from Vinny - I love Joe Hill's Gunpowder and can't wait for the sequel, Slave Girls of Gunpowder (what a title!) A good matching number to my horns as well.