Current Market Value-Experts assess yours, or other's collectible King item

[carlosdetweiller]

And did you know there were Lettered Plant copies? Am 99.9% certain at least one member here has a set of Lettered editions. I've necer even seen pictures of Lettered ones myself but am super curious.

You can be 100% certain.

Yeah well, I didn't want to call you out by name Bob...BUT WE ALL KNEW!!! LOL. Your call but even one picture of a Letter would be pretty cool although I assume it "looks" no different than a S/L copy...am I wrong?

They look no different. Just a letter instead of a number.

[herbertwest]

No idea Kris as to how many sets all inscribed to same person. I do know that Steve's list DID change somewhat over that period of The Plant so some people got book 1 and 2 but NOT three.

And did you know there were Lettered Plant copies? Am 99.9% certain at least one member here has a set of Lettered editions. I've necer even seen pictures of Lettered ones myself but am super curious.

Finally....I have been a long-time fan of the Ramones, a band that King liked as well and quoted lyrics in several books....I have a Plant I inscribed to Marky Ramone...I've always wondered if the band members each got a copy inscribed to them and if they received all 3 copies. Man, I would just die for a copy inscribed to Joey Ramone, the band leader (now deceased)

As a side note, Steve wrote the liner notes of a Ramones tributes CD : "We're a happy family - Tribute to the ramones" (2003).
But obviously you probably already knew that

[carlosdetweiller]

And did you know there were Lettered Plant copies? Am 99.9% certain at least one member here has a set of Lettered editions. I've necer even seen pictures of Lettered ones myself but am super curious.

You can be 100% certain.

Yeah well, I didn't want to call you out by name Bob...BUT WE ALL KNEW!!! LOL. Your call but even one picture of a Letter would be pretty cool although I assume it "looks" no different than a S/L copy...am I wrong?

They look no different. Just a letter instead of a number.

Here is Part 1. You can see by the limitation page that the lettered copies were an afterthought with the lettered limitation written in by hand. The limitation page on all three parts is in the back of the book. King signed and dated Part 1 on the first page of the book.





Here is Part 2. Now the lettered limitation is stated from the outset. Again King signs and dates on the first page of the book.





Here is Part 3. King signed these on the limitation page. No date.

[zelig]

Wonderful Bob. Thanks for sharing the pics. Great to see.

[TCCBodhi]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. That is a real treat so see!

[Johnny007]

Bob,

Are any of your lettered Plants inscribed to anyone? None of mine are inscribed and, for the record, I believe mine are lettered F, F, and A. I just wished I knew how the lettered Plants and lettered EOTDs were distributed by King... Thanks,

John

[carlosdetweiller]

No. None of mine are inscribed. I, too, would like to know how King and/or Philtrum distributed the lettered copies. They hardly ever come up for sale.

[Theli]

Nice shots, Bob. Thanks for sharing.

[The Library Policeman]

Thanks for posting those pics, Bob. Fantastic!

[jhanic]

Simply awesome as usual, Bob.

John

[Ben Staad]

Very interesting seeing the photos of these. Thank you for sharing.

[idlewarnings]

Great to see those lettered Plants, Bob. Thanks for sharing.

[webstar1000]

VERY cool stuff Bob. Always love seeing rare stuff!

[tippy4]

What are your thoughts on the value of a fine copy of MOTH?

[Br!an]

What are your thoughts on the value of a fine copy of MOTH?

My opinion is that most of them are not fine. They tend to have discoloration or rusty staple stains or bumped corners, etc..

I think it's worth at least $500 if truly fine.

[needfulthings]

I paid $575 for this over 20 years ago (Before the internet)

Spoiler:

and before Steve signed it.

[tippy4]

Thank you Br!an.

I bought this copy today for a little less than the asking price of $400, and wanted to know if I had gotten a decent price.

With the exception of the spot on the page ends, it seems fine to me.

[Br!an]

Thank you Br!an.

I bought this copy today for a little less than the asking price of $400, and wanted to know if I had gotten a decent price.

With the exception of the spot on the page ends, it seems fine to me.

I think I've seen this before. I remember the spot.

[tippy4]

What are your thoughts on the value of a fine copy of MOTH?

My opinion is that most of them are not fine. They tend to have discoloration or rusty staple stains or bumped corners, etc..

I think it's worth at least $500 if truly fine.

Thank you Br!an.

I bought this copy today for a little less than the asking price of $400, and wanted to know if I had gotten a decent price.

With the exception of the spot on the page ends, it seems fine to me.

I think I've seen this before. I remember the spot.

This arrived yesterday.

With the exception of the spot, I do in fact consider it to be truly fine, and it has never been fully opened and is unread.....the spine is rigid and no creases.

Got this little gem for $350....so it sounds like I did well.

Thank you for the opinions and input.

[KingKorn]

Hi team,
What are your thoughts on the current value of a third state, first edition Salem's Lot? Lets say the value for a Fine copy and also for a Good copy?

I'm looking at saving for a copy, and just wondering what sort of budget I need to plan for. I would probably settle for less than fine if the price was right, and would appreciate your thoughts on what I should be planning around.

Thank you
James

I'm seconding this question, although re-asking it with a couple more questions attached. It seems the value on the variations of Salem's first is hard to nail down right now.

In addition to what Jimmick asked above, I'm very curious about the value of a Good 2nd state copy.

I have the opportunity to buy one from a local, but am trying to make sure I'm being smart before I do. The DJ is in VG- shape and the book would be VG- as well except there's a book plate in it, also a stain on one of the pages and a bit of foxing. But the binding is solid and square and the corners are pretty bump free. Thoughts on current value? What the future value might be? This would not be a turn around and sell it type of purchase, I'd own this for the long haul. Seller and I are negotiating in the $350 range.

Many Thanks!!

[sharki69]

Hi team,
What are your thoughts on the current value of a third state, first edition Salem's Lot? Lets say the value for a Fine copy and also for a Good copy?

I'm looking at saving for a copy, and just wondering what sort of budget I need to plan for. I would probably settle for less than fine if the price was right, and would appreciate your thoughts on what I should be planning around.

Thank you
James

I'm seconding this question, although re-asking it with a couple more questions attached. It seems the value on the variations of Salem's first is hard to nail down right now.

In addition to what Jimmick asked above, I'm very curious about the value of a Good 2nd state copy.

I have the opportunity to buy one from a local, but am trying to make sure I'm being smart before I do. The DJ is in VG- shape and the book would be VG- as well except there's a book plate in it, also a stain on one of the pages and a bit of foxing. But the binding is solid and square and the corners are pretty bump free. Thoughts on current value? What the future value might be? This would not be a turn around and sell it type of purchase, I'd own this for the long haul. Seller and I are negotiating in the $350 range.

Many Thanks!!

Just to give an idea of fine/near fine copy

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US

[KingKorn]

I'm seconding this question, although re-asking it with a couple more questions attached. It seems the value on the variations of Salem's first is hard to nail down right now.

In addition to what Jimmick asked above, I'm very curious about the value of a Good 2nd state copy.

I have the opportunity to buy one from a local, but am trying to make sure I'm being smart before I do. The DJ is in VG- shape and the book would be VG- as well except there's a book plate in it, also a stain on one of the pages and a bit of foxing. But the binding is solid and square and the corners are pretty bump free. Thoughts on current value? What the future value might be? This would not be a turn around and sell it type of purchase, I'd own this for the long haul. Seller and I are negotiating in the $350 range.

Many Thanks!!

Just to give an idea of fine/near fine copy

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US

Thanks, I've seen that one. I've also searched completed ebay listings for more historical context.

But it seems that only NF and pretty beat up ex-libs come up for sale. I'm wondering about just a Good or slightly better 2nd State Salem's.

Also, as an aside, the copy I'm looking at has a book plate in it. How much do book plates generally reduce a collectible's value? I know there's no magic formula, but I don't have a good understanding of exactly how undesirable they are. Thoughts there?

Thanks again all for considerations!

[Rahfa]

I would not buy a copy with a book plate - to me it's a dealbreaker.

[Roseannebarr]

I would not buy a copy with a book plate - to me it's a dealbreaker.

Agreed, only bookplates I have are the signed limited uk books.

[carlosdetweiller]

I would not buy a copy with a book plate - to me it's a dealbreaker.

Agreed, only bookplates I have are the signed limited uk books.

That is how I feel too. I don't buy books with bookplates, previous owner signatures or price-clipped dust jackets. I've had them all in the past and find that I immediately tried to upgrade or get rid of them completely. My advice is to not settle on a lower end copy if it fits your budget to save up for a while longer and get a book that you will truly enjoy having in your collection for a long time.