Flatsigned or inscribed?

[wizardsrainbow]

Well, I just scanned the titles of all threads on 14 pages and could not believe this title....flatsigned or inscribed?....was not among them, and we all could use a new thread!

As Caretaker of Betts Books, I get asked this question several times a year....flatsigned or inscribed?

In my opinion, it is a personal choice as I know collectors who only collect flatsigned and others who LIKE inscriptions, even if it is to someone other than themself.

Myself, I own multiple versions of both....inscriptions to another person do not bother me in the least and I own what I think are some really cool inscriptions.

In terms of value, I think flatsigned might be a little bit more "universal" and favored over inscribed copies...I know some collectors ONLY want flatsigned...Not sure I know of collectors (am sure they are out there) that ONLY want inscribed copies. For me, I like inscribed books because a) they are harder to fake, b) I like having more King handwriting than just a signature (and sometimes a date).

So, in the end, I own and like BOTH, and I see value in both, but again, I think it is a personal preference.

[Aremag]

I don't have an inscribed yet but have seen some I wouldn't mind owning. I'd also like to have one that was signed and dated on any of my birthdays but I figure that's probably a long shot. If I could find one inscribed with my name I think I could pretend that it really was inscribed to me.

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

Inscription dated before or on release date for me. At worst, the same year!

I couldn't have a King book signed years later, unless he signed it to me, in front of me.

[shaq]

I have a few inscribed (a couple to me), which i prefer over flatsigned.

I am not a fan of random names, but if inscribed to Dave or David, they are of interest, even though it is not actually to me.

I generally avoid flatsigned as they run the risk of being fake, but would make the exception if it was from trusted sellers.

I dont plan on getting flatsigned, but would consider other inscribed books to Dave.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

I like inscriptions (no matter who it's signed to). When an author or artist inscribes a message it's being done by their own hand and mind. I find that very intriguing.

Imagine holding a First Edition A Christmas Carol inscribed by Charles Dickens in your glove covered hands. His signature, his hand writing, all directly in front of you.

King is the Stoker, Dickens, Orwell, Hemingway, etc. of our time. I will take the inscription for my collection.

Mulleins

[jon10g]

I would love to own an inscribed book. Have been to two King signings but only got signatures. Not even dated.

[MikeDuke]

I have 3 inscribed books. With one coming to me very soon. I don't mind if it's inscribed. None of mine are directly to me but they are all nice.
I will take either to be honest.

[sentinel]

I am the same as you are David, I've got multiples of both. I love a "good" inscription. Something witty or different. One of my favorites is a Gunslinger with "Welcome to the wild, weird, west"

[Hunchback Jack]

I'm definitely more in favour of flatsigned. I don't like inscriptions, even to people who have some known association with the author, unless they had something to do with the book itself. They are cool to see, but I would prefer a flat signature in my own copy.

The one exception I own is a book inscribed, with a personal message, to one of the people to whom the book was dedicated, one of the author's sons.

HBJ

[lotuz]

Inscribed, all the way! Or 99% of the time. There are a very few circumstances in which I'd prefer a flat signature (one being my copy of CP's Salem's Lot that was bound without a true signature page but which is flatsigned; definitely happier that it was flatsigned as opposed to inscribed).

I agree with Mulleins - I like that it's done with their own "hand and mind." I don't care who it's inscribed to. The few (non-King) books that I've had signed in person, I always request that it's inscribed to me.

The more words the better. Bonus points if it's something personal from the author, or a joke, or anything above and beyond "Best Wishes, X". Extra double special bonus points if the author signs their name differently or somehow unusually (as long as it can be verified as legit, of course). For example, I really loved, and now regret not purchasing, the Firestarter that was up for sale a while back where King signed his first name SSStephen. I don't generally collect first editions anymore, with the exception of a few books that I really love. I also don't generally hunt down King signatures, but I'll absolutely take a look at anything with an interesting inscription.

Now, off to post my favorite inscribed book in the other thread!

[Fitzy93]

Great thread David!

I prefer dated inscriptions and other than limiteds all my signatures are inscriptions except one that I bought from Betts!

All the same reasons that have been mentioned :
Signed to other names does not bother me one bit, but I have paid a bit more for some To Mike.
Cool and more personal feel to inscriptions and some can be One of a kind!
Harder to fake and with dates much more info to use!
I believe the tides are turning where the value of inscribed pieces will increase because of all the flatsigned fakes out there!

I’ll post a couple of my favorites in the cool inscription thread!





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[Roseannebarr]

Flat signed in person by Stephen King. :biggrin1: I have a few of those and they top any other books I have.

[peripheral]

Great thread, David. Inscribed for me, every time, and for the same reasons outlined above. I am a collector that ONLY wants inscribed copies over flatisigned (but will accept a flatsigned as a holding place)...

[Ari_Racing]

While I have both, I preffer inscribed.

[Garrell]

I am on the same page as Ari. Have both but love the inscribed more.