Dispensation of your collection upon your demise?

**Shannon** · 12-23-2011 05:07 PM

"I remember that during dt.net times, Kenny (Dolan) also mentioned that he saw two copies on a collection that used to be in one of the twin towers."

Not discounting what you're saying or what Kenny is saying or what he saw, but doesn't that sound like a story? Like ... I know a friend who has a great grandfather who was making eye contact with Kennedy when he was shot ...

**Patrick** · 12-26-2011 11:03 PM

Kenny/Dolan is an extensive book collector in his own right, at a much wider scope than probably most of us here. He has lived in New York for a very long time. Some collectors keep their collections at in their office at work - For example, David/wizardsrainbow made no secret that he used to keep his book collection in his office in New York. If Kenny says he saw something involving rare books, I believe it. I also consider Ari to be reliable, but perhaps Kenny will stop by to confirm or deny this particular story first hand.

**Shannon** · 12-26-2011 11:31 PM

I see. Very interesting.

**Dolan** · 12-27-2011 07:43 AM

Hi guys -

First off - Patrick, thanks so much for your exceptionally kind words. You've always been so kind -- thank you.

As for the story: many years ago when I first landed my little feet in Manhattan, I would go to the local rare book section of The Strand (which still exists) on East 12th Street in Manhattan. Through my many visits there, I met a man who would walk in and just look for Stephen King books. One day we got to talking and he invited me over to his apartment to see his book collection. I politely declined the first time (this is New York City, after all) but I then saw him again at a book signing and I took him up on his offer.

The books were not kept in the World Trade Center but rather his high rise apartment in Manhattan. Upon entry of his place, it was clearly (even at that time) a very modern apartment. He had his books in a separate room that, according to him, had separate air conditioning vents installed to keep the temperature of the room and the flow of air to a comfortable medium for the books. He also had some type of (forgive the word choice) sticker of some kind that covered the entire length of his windows. He said that even direct sunlight wouldn't age the book pages because of the protectors in the "sticker." So while the World Trade Center wouldn't have been unreasonable because, like Patrick said, I've made a few trips to the lovely David's old office to view his amazing collection, these books were stored at his home.

Where the confusion may lie is that, I remember, a short time later, there was a pretty destructive fire in the building that he lived in. Now... my memory gets fuzzy (I drink a lot ha!), but from what I remember, the fire was close enough to his floor for me to be very concerned. However, I cannot, as I write this, confirm that his books were damaged. Though if if the fire were as close as I remember, there is a strong possibility.

His collection was vast but he had quite an extensive King Collection. I remember being amazed that he had not one but TWO Lettered Firestarters. At the time, for a young collector like me, that was the Holy Grail of collecting. This was at a time I think the book was being quoted for sale in the high $20-30k. He let me hold the book, etc (honestly nothing terribly special), but it was a fascinating visit with a very nice nice man.

I never did see him again after that which certainly didn't help my theory that the fire was in his apartment -- but I've been looking for some articles online and can't seem to find anything. If I do, I will post and get back to you guys. For now, let's say the books are okay. However... this is a very destructive planet. Earthquakes, fires, floods, people pass away and a collection is left to unaware family members... etc. So the reality that a book print run that was once 26 could currently, possibly, be 23... or 20... is a very real reality.

**Randall Flagg** · 12-27-2011 07:50 AM

Fascinating. Thanks Kenny. Good to see you posting.

**jhanic** · 12-27-2011 08:01 AM

Very, very interesting, Kenny! Thanks.

John

**Patrick** · 12-27-2011 03:52 PM

Great to see you here, Kenny! Post more often!

Thanks for sharing the story with those haven't heard it, and refreshing the memories of those of us who heard it long ago.

**Ari_Racing** · 12-27-2011 04:04 PM

Well, my memory played a small trick on me.

**needfulthings** · 12-27-2011 04:08 PM

Dear Kenny Thank you for the info. Just what year are you talking about when you saw the two books? I am not aware of any of the Firestarters selling for 20k or 30k I know Betts & EBAY have been trying to sell letter M for guite a while for around 20k with no takers.

**Shannon** · 12-27-2011 05:06 PM

Thanks for the story Dolan, I always like hearing stories.

Two Lettered Firestarters. Whew. OK, new plan of action for my collection .. I'm going to save up money, and not buy anything but Lettered Firestarters. That way, in my mind, I'll win.

**Merlin1958** · 12-27-2011 07:15 PM

That is an interesting story!!!

When I die, "Ricky" gets my TMSG!!!!!

**Dolan** · 12-28-2011 08:17 PM

Thanks guys - and no apologies at all, Ari. High rise, fire, etc... easy to mistake. I wish I knew his name... we are talking 2000-2001 and sadly my memory doesn't reach (at times) as far back as Friday night! Ha!

**Ari_Racing** · 12-31-2011 08:29 PM

Yeah. I guess I'm getting old.

Thanks for the clarification!

**wizardsrainbow** · 01-04-2012 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Dolan

Thanks guys - and no apologies at all, Ari. High rise, fire, etc... easy to mistake. I wish I knew his name... we are talking 2000-2001 and sadly my memory doesn't reach (at times) as far back as Friday night! Ha!

And Kenny and Ari...I remember fondly the times we met in NYC....ahhh, those were the days when I had a GREAT paying job and the King world was my oyster....miss those times.

**Merlin1958** · 01-04-2012 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by wizardsrainbow

Originally Posted by Dolan

Thanks guys - and no apologies at all, Ari. High rise, fire, etc... easy to mistake. I wish I knew his name... we are talking 2000-2001 and sadly my memory doesn't reach (at times) as far back as Friday night! Ha!

And Kenny and Ari...I remember fondly the times we met in NYC....ahhh, those were the days when I had a GREAT paying job and the King world was my oyster....miss those times.

I hear ya, Brutha!!!! Those were the days!!

**Ricky** · 01-05-2012 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Merlin1958

That is an interesting story!!!

When I die, "Ricky" gets my TMSG!!!!!

Put it in you will!

**Merlin1958** · 01-05-2012 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky

Originally Posted by Merlin1958

That is an interesting story!!!

When I die, "Ricky" gets my TMSG!!!!!

Put it in you will!

It is!!! However, you gotta lose the current avatar and replace it with something a little more "King-related"!!! LOL What can I say? It's a "condition". LOL

**Ari_Racing** · 01-06-2012 07:43 AM

And Kenny and Ari...I remember fondly the times we met in NYC....ahhh, those were the days when I had a GREAT paying job and the King world was my oyster....miss those times.

I always remember about meeting you and other dt members in both my trips.

I really can't wait to take a flight to USA again.

**Randall Flagg** · 07-02-2014 11:31 AM

Several good "stories" in this thread. If you haven't read through it, I suggest you do so.

**webstar1000** · 07-02-2014 02:33 PM

Very cool stuff...

**Merlin1958** · 07-02-2014 02:37 PM

So, who is bequeathing their collection to me?

Spoiler:

**stroppygoblin** · 10-01-2014 05:54 AM

This thread should be renamed ' Serendipity ' as it seems people only come across it when they are actually thinking about what to do with their collection if they should pass (in case anyone is worried - I'm fine

).
I have decided to go with a letter hidden between the books. It would probably start off with an apology to my wife for all the money I have spent and listing specific items that should be sold to pay off the credit card debt which may or may not still exist!

I will include emails and contact numbers of at least 3 DT Members with instructions to contact them as to specific books and their values. Above all I will try to explain that some of the books (especially some of the paperbacks) are worth considerably more than I have lead her to believe!

**Sir_Boomme** · 10-01-2014 06:19 AM

Since I have no wife, no kids, and my dogs don't read.... I'm leaving one leather bound limited edition to each dog as a chew toy...
the rest of my collection... planning to leave to the last person I have sex with.

It's been a while... so if there are any takers, speak up. You never know... you may be the "lucky" winner.

**Sir_Boomme** · 10-01-2014 06:20 AM

btw... I don't mind wearing a george clooney mask.

**Sir_Boomme** · 10-01-2014 06:21 AM

or a jennifer aniston mask - whatever works for you

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