Intriguing Stephen King/King Related/Dark Tower Auctions-Sales

[Father Cody]

Why all the cloak and dagger BS? The seller should just post the damn list.

Agreed. Secrecy can be a useful marketing tool but I’m not sure it’s the right move in this case. There’d be more chatter about this thing if people new what was on the list.

I’m fairly certain I know the seller and he has it all. So the list is substantial. I don’t think there is any secrecy to be honest. I think serious buyers will get the list.... if they get any at all. $750k is A LOT OF MONEY.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you think it’s that guy who was selling the two copies of The Stand as a set a little while back? It doesn’t really matter who the seller is but I can’t help but be a little curious. I’ve never seen anything like this before.

[shaq]

If I were the seller (I'm not), I wouldn't want my collection to be available to all and sundry.

I would only want to deal with someone who has that type of cashflow, rather than every tom dick or sally asking for that one book they must have. Id then only have the negotiation of the few.

I would even be tempted to credit check any potential buyers to reduce timewasters or even ask for a substantial deposit prior to list issue to show seriousness of buyer.

Dependent on the urgency i may have to think about splitting and selling later in batches.

If I were the buyer, (I'm not) I would rather keep that type of collection to myself, until i were comfortable the deal is done and all books were securely in my library... and then only share if i wanted to show off my collection.

I would also consider how much mark up there is on such a batch of books to ensure comfortable i was getting value for money. Get the collection assessed independantly to ensure it is worth the selling amount, including insurers & lawyers to deal with exchange. I'd also want to spend a week at least on site, reviewing each and every book.

As i am neither, it renders any opinion of mine mute, so please ignore although I do find it all very intruiging. 🙂

[biomieg]

If I were the seller (I'm not), I wouldn't want my collection to be available to all and sundry.

I would only want to deal with someone who has that type of cashflow, rather than every tom dick or sally asking for that one book they must have. Id then only have the negotiation of the few.

I would even be tempted to credit check any potential buyers to reduce timewasters or even ask for a substantial deposit prior to list issue to show seriousness of buyer.

Dependent on the urgency i may have to think about splitting and selling later in batches.

If I were the buyer, (I'm not) I would rather keep that type of collection to myself, until i were comfortable the deal is done and all books were securely in my library... and then only share if i wanted to show off my collection.

I would also consider how much mark up there is on such a batch of books to ensure comfortable i was getting value for money. Get the collection assessed independantly to ensure it is worth the selling amount, including insurers & lawyers to deal with exchange. I'd also want to spend a week at least on site, reviewing each and every book.

As i am neither, it renders any opinion of mine mute, so please ignore although I do find it all very intruiging. 🙂

All valid points. As a non-buying bibliophile however, I would be very interested in seeing a list simply because it is always nice to know what another collector has built up over the years. I am mostly interested in knowing whether there are any scarce/unknown proofs in this collection, and what the one of a kind/irreplaceable items are that are suggested to be part of this collection.

If this collection simply consists of trade editions, signed trades, and numbered/lettered limiteds... well, then I don't really care because (while nice) it won't be anything we haven't seen before.

[shaq]

I agree, very intruiging to know. But not a given right.

I suspect some of the more influential collectors out there may get that information one day.

Or if we ar lucky, someone on this forum buys it and shares all info.

[Randall Flagg]

$89.99 start, $119.99 BIN:
STEPHEN KING THE SHINING Artist Portfolio Signed Don Maitz STAND Framed Picture

New (Other)

[wizardsrainbow]

My guess is yes, this is Robert Drew at Collectible Books...He approached a couple months ago about buying his lot and I told him to go talk to Emmanuel at Very Fine...guess he did...I've seen a partial list, lots of S/Ls. The partial list I saw was maybe 50 books not at all close to 600, so maybe not the guy at all. Emmanuel prices WAY higher than I ever would (and sells stuff). My guess is collection worth $500k.

[Randall Flagg]

Three bids, $2.25:
"Green Mile" by Stephen King - Subterrean Press Limited Gift Edition F/F

Brand New

[amd013]

My guess is yes, this is Robert Drew at Collectible Books...He approached a couple months ago about buying his lot and I told him to go talk to Emmanuel at Very Fine...guess he did...I've seen a partial list, lots of S/Ls. The partial list I saw was maybe 50 books not at all close to 600, so maybe not the guy at all. Emmanuel prices WAY higher than I ever would (and sells stuff). My guess is collection worth $500k.

Hmmm, that's too bad. I was thinking that if I ever bought a huge lot like that, then the total value should be significantly more then the cost. Most likely anyone with the money and desire to buy this collection probably already has more then half the items. In which case he/she will probably want to sell the duplicates. But who would want to take a bath on reselling the duplicates?

I figure more then likely this would be bought by someone looking to resell the books individually, (another book store) and if that's the case, they would probably only want to pay about 50-75% of its value to make it worth their time/risk.

No way would I overpay for a large collection like that.

[Fsmdr]

My guess is yes, this is Robert Drew at Collectible Books...He approached a couple months ago about buying his lot and I told him to go talk to Emmanuel at Very Fine...guess he did...I've seen a partial list, lots of S/Ls. The partial list I saw was maybe 50 books not at all close to 600, so maybe not the guy at all. Emmanuel prices WAY higher than I ever would (and sells stuff). My guess is collection worth $500k.

Hmmm, that's too bad. I was thinking that if I ever bought a huge lot like that, then the total value should be significantly more then the cost. Most likely anyone with the money and desire to buy this collection probably already has more then half the items. In which case he/she will probably want to sell the duplicates. But who would want to take a bath on reselling the duplicates?

I figure more then likely this would be bought by someone looking to resell the books individually, (another book store) and if that's the case, they would probably only want to pay about 50-75% of its value to make it worth their time/risk.

No way would I overpay for a large collection like that.

I'm with David. If this is indeed Robert Drew's collection, it will be marked up way above fair value. Robert viewed that the pristine condition of his collection warrants the premium above anyone else's copy.

[webstar1000]

My guess is yes, this is Robert Drew at Collectible Books...He approached a couple months ago about buying his lot and I told him to go talk to Emmanuel at Very Fine...guess he did...I've seen a partial list, lots of S/Ls. The partial list I saw was maybe 50 books not at all close to 600, so maybe not the guy at all. Emmanuel prices WAY higher than I ever would (and sells stuff). My guess is collection worth $500k.

Hmmm, that's too bad. I was thinking that if I ever bought a huge lot like that, then the total value should be significantly more then the cost. Most likely anyone with the money and desire to buy this collection probably already has more then half the items. In which case he/she will probably want to sell the duplicates. But who would want to take a bath on reselling the duplicates?

I figure more then likely this would be bought by someone looking to resell the books individually, (another book store) and if that's the case, they would probably only want to pay about 50-75% of its value to make it worth their time/risk.

No way would I overpay for a large collection like that.

I'm with David. If this is indeed Robert Drew's collection, it will be marked up way above fair value. Robert viewed that the pristine condition of his collection warrants the premium above anyone else's copy.

I have to agree that when doing a bulk buy (I have done a couple this year... and paid about 65%'ish of value) you should be significantly less. When someone gives David a consignment, they wait for the money... sometimes for some time depending on what that seller wants to get out of their books. To get all the money up front is huge and thus there should be a benefit to the buyer. It would be an investment. I sold the books at retail that I bought and was able to earn some money and buy more books for my collection. Not even a book store will be able to buy these books as there is no profit to be had by the sounds of it. But hey, none of us have seen any list and lets say said list has more than we are aware of.... would be fun to look it over that is for sure!

[sentinel]

I asked for a list and got a reply that said they had an interested buyer who put down a $5000 non-refundable deposit.
So, somebody has money to burn.
I seriously doubt the collection is worth 750K and Kris is right, anyone buying would be looking for a wholesale price.

[herbertwest]

That's stupid IMO not to publicly release the list.

Yes, that only someone with loads of money will be able to afford it. But... why not sharing the list?
Maybe some people will talk about it online on numerous websites and someone that can afford it will notice it and end up buying it,

[Randall Flagg]

$5k nonrefundable deposit....
I call bullshit.

[Ari_Racing]

Sorry but I don't buy it. No one would spend not even half of that "collection value" without a list and pics.

[Fsmdr]

I asked for a list and got a reply that said they had an interested buyer who put down a $5000 non-refundable deposit.
So, somebody has money to burn.
I seriously doubt the collection is worth 750K and Kris is right, anyone buying would be looking for a wholesale price.

I got the same reply, but my email states $5000 refundable deposit.

[surly]

"...I have something to sell. I won't tell you what it is, or what the purchase price is, but trust me: I think it's good. Oh by the way, give me $5,000 just for the privilege of finding out what it is ."

Is there any sort of precedent for something like this? Not just for books, but anywhere - auctions maybe? This is the strangest business model i have ever heard of, but hey, more power to them if they can make it work. I wish i had thought of it.

I know that it doesn't always feel this way to most in this group, but King collecting is a pretty specific community of interest. I would think that any King collector that would be able to afford a purchase of this magnitude would already have the bulk of the items in their collection, and if there are any unique ones they didn't have, are they really worth that kind of premium.

Further, if I were just a general rare book collector, I can't imagine investing that much in a just a single author. Even if i was just someone looking for an investment, it ignores the whole buy low, sell high principle. I feel there are better places to invest three quarters of a million dollars if you want any sort of return.

I'd love to proven wrong and find out that it really was a collection of rare, unpublished, hand-written manuscripts complete with publishing rights. I hope that someday we will find out.

[sentinel]

I asked for a list and got a reply that said they had an interested buyer who put down a $5000 non-refundable deposit.
So, somebody has money to burn.
I seriously doubt the collection is worth 750K and Kris is right, anyone buying would be looking for a wholesale price.

I got the same reply, but my email states $5000 refundable deposit.

You are correct it is a "refundable" deposit. I mis-read it. For the record, I have never bought or dealt with Emmanuel or Very Fine Books but
he felt the need to call me out on my mistake in an email. Most of you know I have a very large, complete King collection and might have been an
interested party. Sadly, whoever the owner of the books is, I thnk they made a huge mistake in using this shady sales practice.

[Father Cody]

Something I’m not clear on. Maybe you guys know. Is the $5,000 deposit required to see the list?

[Merlin1958]

i suppose its fun to speculate and discuss, but I'm relatively certain no one here has the means to actually enter into negotiations much less actually pull the trigger on a deal such as the one in question. That being said DO NOT under estimate the actions and capacity of the idle rich. What seems ludicrous to us is a mere drop in the bucket to them. Those sorts of folks can afford to act on the simplest of motivations. I've seen it for myself.

[BigJoeHillfan]

Pretty scrappy. 3 bids, $7.50:
RAGE ~STEPHEN KING AS RICHARD BACHMAN~ 1ST EDITION 1977, 1st printing ~ PB

Up to $510 3 days left. I see a 0 feedback bidder and it makes me wonder........

[Hunchback Jack]

Pretty scrappy. 3 bids, $7.50:
RAGE ~STEPHEN KING AS RICHARD BACHMAN~ 1ST EDITION 1977, 1st printing ~ PB

Up to $510 3 days left. I see a 0 feedback bidder and it makes me wonder........

That seems ... high.

HBJ

[herbertwest]

I asked for a list and got a reply that said they had an interested buyer who put down a $5000 non-refundable deposit.
So, somebody has money to burn.
I seriously doubt the collection is worth 750K and Kris is right, anyone buying would be looking for a wholesale price.

I got the same reply, but my email states $5000 refundable deposit.

You are correct it is a "refundable" deposit. I mis-read it. For the record, I have never bought or dealt with Emmanuel or Very Fine Books but
he felt the need to call me out on my mistake in an email. Most of you know I have a very large, complete King collection and might have been an
interested party. Sadly, whoever the owner of the books is, I thnk they made a huge mistake in using this shady sales practice.

And what are the terms to get that deposit reimbursed?
That's purely stupid.

[shaq]

Not really. It shows intent by the possible buyer to buy.

It may also act as a holding deposit so it doesnt sell elsewhere.

Different to what we normally see perhaps bit imagine rules/etiquette is different when you are dealing with sales that high a value. More than any house i have bought!!!

Look at the interest generated here. Imagine if it was open book and you as an agent would have to deal with dozens perhaps hundreds of enquiries that ultimately have no intent to buy, just the curious wanting info on a rare item.

This is different to other sales that i have heard of. Anyone else aware of other >500k sales in the past and how they were dealt with?

(Apologies RF. This is discussion rather than providing new intruiging items)

[jsmcmullen92]

Pretty scrappy. 3 bids, $7.50:
RAGE ~STEPHEN KING AS RICHARD BACHMAN~ 1ST EDITION 1977, 1st printing ~ PB

Up to $510 3 days left. I see a 0 feedback bidder and it makes me wonder........

That seems ... high.

HBJ

yeah... looking though the bids it does seem off. why would someone start small in $15 increments (200, 215, 230) then all of a sudden drop an extra $120 on top to blow away all other bids. Then before he gets outbid, add another $50 on top not once but 3 times.

[amd013]

Pretty scrappy. 3 bids, $7.50:
RAGE ~STEPHEN KING AS RICHARD BACHMAN~ 1ST EDITION 1977, 1st printing ~ PB

Up to $510 3 days left. I see a 0 feedback bidder and it makes me wonder........

That seems ... high.

HBJ

yeah... looking though the bids it does seem off. why would someone start small in $15 increments (200, 215, 230) then all of a sudden drop an extra $120 on top to blow away all other bids. Then before he gets outbid, add another $50 on top not once but 3 times.

I wouldn't want this copy for anything other then a reading copy. So anything over $10 is too high for me.