RF... I know you haven't personally seen this copy but if we can take Gerald as a reputable source, he did post this on his site shortly after offering the red lettered EOTD for sale:
"I have just learned today, since posting the Lettered Eyes of the Dragon, that Black Lettered copies do in fact exist.
A book collector provided me proof of the existence of both colors in their collection, so I have corrected my listing to highlight that Red Letters were reserved for family and Black Letters were reserved for close friends and associates in the publishing industry. Both are equally rare.
I am happy to learn something new everyday. I now know where one copy is located, but that leaves 25 more waiting to be discovered. Let the games begin..."
Cool.
You can't be aloof until you advertise.
I can confirm that a Black Lettered Edition does exist....
Of course it does but hey, what do I know.
Thanks John and glad you are on the mend.
Well looks like we are not going to be privy to the amount but...
"I just wanted to let any interested parties know that the Eyes of the Dragon Red Lettered Copy has sold for what I believe is the world's highest price attained for a Limited Edition book by Stephen King.
This is not taking into consideration manuscripts, typescripts, holographic notebooks with unpublished stories, proofs or trade editions with or without familial inscriptions, collections of letters, or ephemeral items that sell privately. I am referring to Limited Edition books that were published since Phantasia Press started with "Firestater" in 1980.
Both buyer and seller were very pleased with the outcome, and all going well, there will be further rare pieces to advertise in the future, when the seller is comfortable letting them go.
Thank you all.
Gerald"
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
I LOVE collecting SK stuff and I enjoy learning new things everyday. But when I read things like this...well, I stop thinking I'm a serious collector! LOL
Wanted list:
Ubris
Geez, when you think of the prices folks have paid for the Lettered Asbestos Firestarter edition and hear that it is north of what those bad boys go far, you are talking about very serious dollars. Impressive! Happy for all parties involved.
I spoke with Gerald and can absolutely respect the requested discretion by both Buyer and Seller. The rare nature of this edition and the surrounding mystique specific to the limited, personal distribution by King certainly warrant the price.
Congratulations to both the Buyer and Seller for a win-win transaction. Doubt we will see another Red Lettered Edition exchange hands for quite some time.
Good stuff.
I hope he/she didn't pay significantly more then the 2nd highest bidder. I don't think those types of auctions are fair. Just because you are willing to pay a lot more, doesn't mean you should have to.
Wanted:
'Salem's Lot Portfolio #606
Fairy Tale UK S/L
I remember a few years back (10? fuck time flies) speaking with the french bibliographer of King, and he told me that before ebay was popular, there was an auction website where you HAD to pay your highest auction and not just 50p more.
I guess that this + marketing was the way eBay managed to grab popularity.
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CLUB STEPHEN KING (french website about STEPHEN KING, since 1992) : on : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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People can and will pay what they want (I think that is great). This was a fait accompli from the beginning. Gerald used the whole ruse about bids as a promotion. There is no doubt in my mind that the buyer was all along going to "win". Good for the buyer, and good for Gerald, but if they really want things to have "discretion", Gerald wouldn't be trumpeting the "highest price" aspect of it.
Given that both the Buyer and Seller requested discretion specific to the exact selling price, Gerald chose to communicate the outcome of the process in a manner that, at a minimum, gave all interested non-participants an idea as to how it ended up.
We now have a general idea of the value of this item and those fortunate enough to have one in his/her collection should feel really good about the outcome....
Congrats again to Buyer, Seller and Gerald....
I totally agree with you, if he really wanted discretion we wouldn't be talking about the price at all.
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
Perhaps Gerald was simply attempting to convey to the collecting community, and specifically those that own a copy, a general idea of the current market value without revealing the actual sales price.
From my perspective, likely exercising the agreed upon discretion and I am sure the Buyer remains appreciative.