Welcome to the Corner & Old-Timers Inquiry

[Randall Flagg]

Welcome aboard.

[Patrick]

Hi everyone, great forum. I am a young collector, 29 years old. So I try to do it on a budget so it comes pretty slow. I have moved on to King books, mainly the Dark Tower Series.

I started book collecting by trying to get a complete set of 1st edition Kurt Vonnegut books. There are a lot of them, but I have managed about 12 of them now. My most expensive one is a Slaughter House V first edition, which is about $600 at minimum from what I can gather of the latest sales.

I have also tried to collect the Harry Potter books. Which have gotten ridiculously expensive. My biggest regret was passing on a true 1st of Philosopher Stone and Chamber of Secret for $900. I lost it at the last minute about 7 years ago. Now the original is almost non-existent in an auction format... sigh. So I have told myself even if I cant afford it in the future, if I think its a deal I am going to go for it and let time work itself out.

With that said, I recently came into possession of a true first of Gunslinger, maroon book, printing of 10,000. I also own a Dark Tower VII A/E copy. Now I just need to fill in the middle!

Looking forward to reading and learning from you all!

Welcome to TDT.org and to Calvin's Corner!

I'm also a Vonnegut fan. As far as collecting though, I have no first editions, just a few of the Easton Press signed editions.

[Rachel Readman]

Hey everyone, I hope you are all happy and well these days?

Unfortunately I have not had a lot of time to spare as many of you know and over the last year or so things have been not so good...

My husband Mick 'The Red Rose' has been severely ill and we now believe that he infact has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E). We are trying to get to see a specialist but it is proving very difficult as there is huge controversy surrounding the illness. I won't go into the details of it all but only to say that if you wish to understand then you can read info on it all here:

http://www.hfme.org/whatisme.htm

http://www.msnfme.org/historyofme.htm

http://www.msnfme.org/secretfilespassiton.htm


I wanted to just say hello to everyone and let all our good friends know that we regret not being around all this time and that we do think about you all the time!

I am working tirelessly looking after Mick, the house and going to work full-time as well as working on the art end of things. I will be posting in the collectors area some info on my website and the upcoming works etc but it is still an ongoing and in production situation so please bear with me as we get things sorted.

Our best and love to you all,
Rachel & Mick

[Randall Flagg]

Best of luck to you and your hubby. I hope things improve quickly.

[Patrick]

I so sorry to hear about Mick's illness, Rachel. I am sending you and Mick good energy and strength. Best to you both.

[Rachel Readman]

Big thanks to both of you, Mick was happy to hear that you guys had said hello and sent your best.

He asked me to say hello to everyone and that he is on his way to the tower again...

Currently he is half way through The Wastelands again so he has some distance to go yet but picking up on all the things that he missed first time around. He has to read in short bursts so it's going to take him an age to get through the rest of the books.

[Doobs]

Hi there everyone,

I have had a look through a lot of the collections here again and am in awe as always, a lot of you have collections i could only dream of getting!
I myself have a relatively small and "nothing" collection of DT books and comics, and am looking to start getting some different editions and publications from the series as well as some proper first editions, I do however live out here in Australia.
Was just wondering if you have any quick tips for a beginner who's a world away from most of the action, who's wanting to get into it so late in the game.

Cheers,
Doobs

[biomieg]

Hello Doobs, welcome to TDT.org and to 'The Corner'. Nice to meet another aspiring collector! I know what you mean when you say you're living 'away from the action' - I live in The Netherlands and I'm mostly dependent on eBay and an assortment of online retailers for my books. There was a little Q&A in another thread about starting to collect first editions etcetera which should answer most of your questions. You can find it here: http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/...stions/page124

The relevant posts start at post #3088.

You should be able to get most of the books you want via eBay.com - overseas shipping (either from American eBay sellers or from bookstores) is expensive but if you want to get some US 1st editions there's not really an alternative. The problem with eBay is that many sellers have no clue about the condition, printing etcetera of the books they sell, so when in doubt, just post a link to the auction here and we can offer some advice.

Last but not least: educate yourself by reading the various threads in this part of the website, and refer to the 'identification lists' for trade and signed/limited books that can be found here: http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/...ex+Quick+Links and at www.stephenkingcollector.com (links at the bottom of the front page).

Good luck!

[Merlin1958]

Welcome to the "Corner", Doobs!!!!!!!!!!!

[ELazansky]

Doobs,

Nobody's collection is a "nothing" collection. Whether your collection is big or small, as long as you enjoy collecting, it is just fine.

I've only been collecting SK for about 18 months now. You have to decide what areas to focus on - first US editions, first UK editions, first editions from other countries, the special "gift" editions, or the signed/limited editions. Under the Calvin's Corner section of the board is the King Collectibles Catalog, which has just about every collectible US book. Good place to browse to se einfo and pictures so you can decide what you like. Also, US members may be able to help ship books to you from the US.

[Merlin1958]

Doobs,

Nobody's collection is a "nothing" collection. Whether your collection is big or small, as long as you enjoy collecting, it is just fine.

I've only been collecting SK for about 18 months now. You have to decide what areas to focus on - first US editions, first UK editions, first editions from other countries, the special "gift" editions, or the signed/limited editions. Under the Calvin's Corner section of the board is the King Collectibles Catalog, which has just about every collectible US book. Good place to browse to se einfo and pictures so you can decide what you like. Also, US members may be able to help ship books to you from the US.

Well said!!! Also, conversely, you may be able to wheel & deal on UK firsts. In my experience Aus gets a lot of those and US collectors are always looking for those editions. Good Luck and PM if I can be of assistance!!!!

[biomieg]

True about the UK 1sts, although these are often unpriced export editions I think (obviously, this only matters if you're looking for true UK 1st editions with the original issue price in £ on the dust jacket). I may be wrong however.

[Merlin1958]

True about the UK 1sts, although these are often unpriced export editions I think (obviously, this only matters if you're looking for true UK 1st editions with the original issue price in £ on the dust jacket). I may be wrong however.

I know what you're saying, believe me, but I have gotten several "true" UK firsts from Australian sellers ("Everythings Eventual" jumps to mind). Always thought it strange, but as long as they're real................. I have seen quite a few "exports" from Aus though so good point.

[Doobs]

Thanks for all of your reponses guys. Ill be sure to have a look through everything and sing out when i need to.

Cheers again

[Patrick]

Welcome to TDT.org and the Corner, Doobs! Please join in any discussions.

[Merlin1958]

The Haven Fund Raiser is starting up again. So be sure to get in on that as well. Lots of great stuff to be had and all for a good cause!!!!!!

[olverts]

Hi !

My name is Hannes and i´m 29 , im from Sweden.
I have been reading King since i was 15.
David (betts) might recognize me cause alot of my money went to him the last few months

I have been collecting King for a few years but only swedish editions ,
About 6 months ago i started collect the US

The books in my collection im most proud of right now is:

Gunslinger 2nd Signed and The Plant part two (proof)

You all seem like nice guys so looking forward to be here and learn

[ELazansky]

Welcome to the Corner, olverts!

[jhanic]

Welcome olverts! We have at least one other Swedish member, super_sam! You're not alone.

Please post some pictures of your collection. We'd all love to see them.

John

[olverts]

Thanks for the welcome

I have been talking to super_sam recently on the swedish king-forum , nice to have him here too
Sure i will post some pictures
Was it you that was into collecting proofs/arcs jhanic ?
Started that dangerous road myself

[jhanic]

That's me. It IS a dangerous and slippery road!

John

[Merlin1958]

Welcome Aboard Olverts!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Patrick]

Welcome to TDT.org and to Calvin's Corner, olverts! Always glad to meet another person interested in collecting King.

Please make yourself at home and jump right in to the discussions.

That goes for all you lurkers out there too!

[biomieg]

Welcome, Hannes. Good to have another European on board, and one with an interest in proofs too (like me)!

[Brice]

Welcome! I look forward to seeing those swedish editions...and your other books of course.