Stephen King First Editions: How to Recognize One
89Stephen King is a very recognizable name in the genre of horror fiction. Though, not all of his books fall into this category. His writing is very popular, and his books are in high demand. First editions are sought after by collectors, and avid fans. Some are more valuable than others, and some are very hard to find! But, how do you tell if that book you have is a first edition? In the more recent published books of his, it is a little easier, but for his older works, it can be a bit difficult. I will make it all easier for you! I will go book by book and give you all the information you need to identify Stephen King first editions. This will be updated as new books are released.
If you find you have a first edition, and are curious about the value, there are numerous places you can go to find out the value. Most bookstores that deal in rare books, collectible books, and that sort of thing, should be able to appraise the book for you. If you choose to sell it, they may also be willing to either buy it from you, or sell it on consignment.
If you have some that you just really don't want, I would be more than happy to take them off of your hands!!
Terms Defined
There are a lot of terms in here that some of you may not be familiar with. I will include pictures for reference, as well as a description. This guide is for trade editions only. Limited editions are sometimes published before or after the trade edition, and do not effect it's value. Obviously, limited editions are far more valuable, and I may cover these in the future.
Trim Size
Trim size is basically the dimensions of the book itself. This information is provided because often, Book Club editions of books tend to be smaller than the original. If you have a book that seems smaller than others, it very well may be a book club edition. "Book Club Edition" will usually be found on the inside of the dust jacket.
The Stand
Dust Jacket
The dust jacket is the paper that is wrapped around the book. It is there to protect the book, and if missing, the value of the book is severely diminished. The dust jacket price can be found in the upper right hand corner of the front flap of the dust jacket. The code (if there is one) is found on the bottom of the front flap.
Binding Information
Binding information is important because not all editions of a book are bound in the same way. A full bound book will be all cloth, without paper boards. Quarter bound indicates a book that has cloth closest to the spine, and then boards. The colors are important, because, again, not all editions are bound with the same colors. Paste-downs are simply the pieces of paper that are pasted down to the inside of the book. The front and rear end papers are those pieces of thicker paper that are at the very beginning and very end of the book.
Copyright Page Information
Copyright page information is pretty straight forward. Most follow a numerical code to determine a first edition. The codes vary. If a code is present, all will start with a 1 or 10, except Black House which has the code "2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3". Most codes look like this:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Pet Sematary and Thinner
The Early Years: 1974-1984
Let's start at the beginning. I will go book-by-book, and give you all the information you need. Terms are defined on the right of the text.
Carrie:Published in 1974 by Doubleday. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 0.9". Dust Jacket price is $5.95. The book is full bound in maroon cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear paper color in black. "First Edition" is printed on copyright page and "P6" is printed on page 199.
Salem's Lot:Published in 1975 by Doubleday. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 1.25". Dust jacket price is $7.95/$8.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Editon" is printed on copyright page, "Q37" is printed on page 439. There are three dust jacket states to look for. 1) $8.95 on dust jacket, Father Cody error. (this is very rare!) 2) price clipped, $7.95, Father Cody error. 3) $7.95 on dust jacket, Father Callahan. Code on dust jacket reads, "A NEW NOVEL" will have no anchor on spine.
The Shining: Published in 1977 by Doubleday. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 1.5". Dust jacket price is $8.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Edition" is printed on copyright page, and "R49" is printed on page 447.
Rage:Published under name Richard Bachman in 1977 by Signet. Trim size is 4.2 x 7.0 x 0.7". It was published as a paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price listed as $1.50. "First Signet Printing, September, 1977" on Copyright page. code, "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" on copyright page.
Night Shift: Published in 1978 by Doubleday. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 1". Dust jacket price is $8.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Edition" is printed on copyright page, and "S52" is printed on page 336.
The Stand: Published in 1978 by Doubleday. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 1.9". Dust jacket price is $12.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with gold boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Edition" is printed on copyright page, and "T39" is printed on page 823.
The Long Walk:Published under the name Richard Bachman in 1979 by Signet. Trim size is 4.2 x 7 x 0.75". It was published as a paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price is listed as $2.25. "First Signet Printing, July, 1979" printed on copyright page, and code "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" is also printed on copyright page.
The Dead Zone: Published in 1979 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.45". Dust jacket price is $11.95 and code on dust jacket is "0879". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Published in 1979 by the Viking Press" is printed on copyright page.
Firestarter: Published in 1980 by Viking (Phantasia Press). Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $13.95 and code on dust jacket is "0980". The book is quarter bound in orange cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First published in 1980 by the Viking Press" is printed on copyright page.
Cujo: Published in 1981 by Viking (Mysterious Press). Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.2". Dust jacket price is $13.95 and code on dust jacket is "0981". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Published in 1981 by the Viking Press" is printed on copyright page.
Danse Macabre: Non-fiction published in 1981 by Everest House. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.25". Dust jacket price is $13.95. The book is quarter bound in maroon cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "RRD281" is printed on copyright page.
Roadwork: Published under the name Richard Bachman in 1981 by Signet. Trim size is 4.2 x 7.0 x 0.6". It was published as a paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price listed as $2.25. Code "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" printed on copyright page.
The Running Man: Published under the name Richard Bachman in 1982 by Signet. Trim size is 4.2 x 7.0 x 0.6". It was published as a paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price listed as $2.95. "First Printing May 1982" on copyright page, and code "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" also on copyright page.
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger: Published in 1982 by Donald M. Grant. Trim size is 6.2 x 9.25 x 1.0". Dust jacket price is $20.00. The book is full bound in maroon cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers with pictorals. "FIRST EDITION" printed on copyright page.
Different Seasons: Published in 1982 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $16.95 and code on dust jacket is "0882". The book is quarter bound in dark blue cloth with blue boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. "First Published in 1982 by the Viking Press" printed on copyright page.
Christine: Published in 1983 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $16.95 and code on dust jacket is "04163083". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Published in 1983 by the Viking Press" is printed on copyright page.
Pet Sematary: Published in 1983 by Doubleday. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.2". Dust jacket price is $15.95 and code on dust jacket is "1183". The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. "First Edition" printed on copyright page, and "Y3" printed on page 374. Two dust jacket states include; 1) Caretakers listed as 1982 2) Caretakers listed as 1983.
Cycle of the Werewolf: Published in 1983 by Land of Enchantment. Trim size is 8.75 x 11.25 x 0.5". No dust jacket price. The book is full bound in brown leather. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper pictorals. No special copyright notes. Later reprinted in trade paperback by Signet and combined with script for Silver Bullet.
The Talisman: Co-written with Peter Straub and published in 1984 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.8". Dust jacket price is $18.95 and code on dust jacket is "11182584". The book is quarter bound in red cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end paper in white. "First Published in 1984 by Viking Penguin, Inc." printed on copyright page.
Thinner: Published under the name Richard Bachman in 1984 by New American Library. Trim size is 5.8 x 8.75 x 1.2". Dust jacket price is $12.95 and code on dust jacket is "11125084". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. "First Printing, November, 1984" on copyright page, and code "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" printed on copyright page.
Skeleton Crew and Eyes of the Dragon
Stephen King books on Amazon
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Under the Dome: A Novel
Price: $17.50
List Price: $35.00 |
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Just After Sunset: Stories
Price: $4.99
List Price: $9.99 |
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Under the Dome: Collector's Set
Price: $32.85
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Duma Key: A Novel
Price: $4.52
List Price: $28.00 |
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The Stand: Expanded Edition: For the First Time Complete and Uncut (Signet)
Price: $5.28
List Price: $8.99 |
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The Talisman
Price: $3.40
List Price: $7.99 |
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Cell: A Novel
Price: $2.99
List Price: $9.99 |
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Sorry, Right Number: And Other Stories
Price: $8.65
List Price: $14.99 |
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The House on Maple Street: And Other Stories
Price: $8.57
List Price: $14.99 |
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The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1)
Price: $6.25
List Price: $16.95 |
The Tommyknockers and The Dark Half
First Editions on Ebay!
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STEPHEN KING -THE DRAWING OF THREE-FIRST SIGNET EDITION
Current Bid: $15.00
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Stephen King Dark Tower III First Edition Fine Cond.
Current Bid: $50.00
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STEPHEN KING-THE GUNSLINGER-FIRST SIGNET EDITION
Current Bid: $15.00
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STEPHEN KING THE WASTE LANDS FIRST PLUME EDITION
Current Bid: $20.00
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STEPHEN KING-THE DEAD ZONE-FIRST EDITION-GOOD CONDITION
Current Bid: $60.00
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Desperation Stephen King First Edition w/Dust Jacket!
Current Bid: $28.00
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Needful Things and Gerald's Game
Video of Stephen King novels, with really creepy music!
Dolores Claiborne and Insomnia
1985-1995
Still with me? I hope so!! I hope this will be a handy reference guide for Stephen King fans, and collectors alike. Let's keep going.
Skeleton Crew: Published in 1985 by Putnam (Scream Press). Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $18.95 and code on dust jacket is '8506'. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in brown. Code '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9' is printed on copyright page.
The Bachman Books: Published in 1985 by New American Library. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5". Dust jacket price is $19.95 and code on dust jacket is '10195085'. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. 'First (Omnibus) Printing, October, 1985' on copyright page and code '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9' printed on copyright page.
The Bachman Books (paperback): Published in 1985 by New American Library. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5". Published as paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price listed as $19.95. 'First (omnibus) Printing' on copyright page, and code '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9' printed on copyright page.
IT: Published in 1986 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 2.3". Dust jacket price is $22.95 and code on dust jacket is '09221086'. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in gray. 'First Published in 1986 by Viking Penguin, Inc.' on copyright page.
Eyes of the Dragon: Published in 1987 by Viking (Philtrum). Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 0.9". Dust jacket price is $18.95 and code on dust jacket is '02182587'. The book is quarter bound in cream cloth with green boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in green. 'First Published in 1987 by Viking Penguin, Inc.' on copyright page.
Misery: Published in 1987 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.1". Dust jacket price is $18.95 and code on dust jacket is '06182587'. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. 'First published in 1987 by Viking Penguin, Inc.' on copyright page.
The Tommyknockers: Published in 1987 by Putnam. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $19.95 and code on dust jacket is '8711'. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with green boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in green. Code '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10' is printed on copyright page, and "Permissions to come" also printed on copyright page. Two different dust jacket states are; 1) author name in red. 2) author name in gold.
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three: Published in 1987 by Donald M. Grant. Trim size is 6.2 x 9.2 x 2". Dust jacket price is $35.00. The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers with pictorals. 'First Edition' is printed on copyright page.
My Pretty Pony: Published in 1988 by Knopf (Whitney Museum). Trim size is 9.25 x 13.6 x 0.6". No dust jacket or binding information. "First Trade edition" printed on copyright page, which is inside the back cover.
The Dark Half: Published in 1989 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.3". Dust jacket price is $21.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in violet. "First published in 1989 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Four Past Midnight: Published in 1990 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.9". Dust jacket price is $22.95 and code on dust jacket is "0990". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. "First published in 1990 by Viking Penguin" and code "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on copyright page. First dust jacket state has SK in gold on front cover, and second state lacks the gold.
The Stand: Complete and Uncut: Published in 1990 by Doubleday. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.4 x 2.5". Dust jacket price is $24.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. "May 1990" and "First Trade Edition" printed on copyright page.
Needful Things: Published in 1991 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 2.0". Dust jacket price is $24.95 and code on dust jacket is "1091". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. "First published in 1991 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" printed on copyright page.
The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands: Published in 1991 by Donald M. Grant. Trim size is 6.2 x 9.2 x 2". Dust jacket price is $38.00. The book is full bound in red cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers with pictorals. "First Edition" printed on copyright page.
Gerald's Game: Published in 1992 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.1". Dust jacket price is $23.50. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in black. "First published in 1992 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Dolores Claiborne: Published in 1993 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.2". Dust jacket price is $23.50 and code on dust jacket is "0193". The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in either white or gold. "First published in 1993 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" printed on copyright page.
Nightmares & Dreamscapes: Published in 1993 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 2.25". Dust jacket price is $27.50 and code on dust jacket is "0993". The book is quarter bound in blue cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in blue. "First published in 1993 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Insomnia: Published in 1994 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 2.1". Dust jacket price is $27.95 and code on dust jacket is "1094". The book is quarter bound in light gray cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in gray. "First published in 1994 by Viking Penguin" and the code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page. Two simultaneous dust jacket states with red and white reversed.
Rose Madder: Published in 1995 by Viking. Trim size is 6.25 x 9.5 x 1.3". Dust jacket price is $25.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in burnt-orange. "First published in 1995 by Viking Penguin" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Deperation and The Regulators
Stephen King talks about receiving Lifetime Achievement Award
Bag of Bones and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
More Stephen King on Amazon
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DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #6 (Of 7)
Price: $3.99
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Black House and From a Buick 8
Stephen King
- Welcome to StephenKing.com!
Official Website for author Stephen King.
Peter Straub: Another Great Author
- Peter Straub Official Website
The official Peter Straub web site.
1996-current
This is the section that will see frequent updates, as new works are published. I may have to break it up after a certain point, maybe a year or two, but for now, I chose to include everything since 1996 in one section. King's writing has become less frequent. Part of this is due to serious injury he receieved after being hit by a car, and some of it has to do with him getting older, and just slowing down a little bit. After all, it's not like he needs to write to make money. I am glad he is still writing, even if I have to wait, and wait for the next book to come out!
The Green Mile: Published in 1996, over the course of several months. It was published in serial form by Signet. Trim size is 4.25 x 6.9 x 0.4". Book is paperback, so no dust jacket or binding information. Price listed is $2.99 each for parts 1-5, and $3.99 for part 6. "First Printing, month, 1996" on copyright page. ( month= March for part 1through August for part 6) Code "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" also on copyright page.
Desperation: Published in 1996 by Viking. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 2.25". Dust jacket price is $27.95 and code on dust jacket is "0996". The book is quarter bound in tan cloth with light blue boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in red. "First Published by Viking Penguin" and code "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on copyright page.
The Regulators: Published as a "lost" Bachman novel in 1996 by Dutton. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $24.95 and code on dust jacket is "0996". The book is quarter bound in tan cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in light blue. "First Trade Printing, October 1996" and code "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on copyright page.
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass: Published in 1997 by Donald M. Grant. Dust jacket price is $45. The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers feature pictorals. "First Edition" on copyright page.
Six Stories: Published in 1997 by Philtrum. Trim size is 6.0 x 9.0 x 0.9". There is no dust jacket. Only one edition exists. No price listed.
Bag of Bones: Published in 1998 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in white cloth with burnt-orange boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Storm of the Century: Published in 1999 by Pocket Books. Trim size is 6.1 x 9.25 x 1". Book of the Month Club released a hardcover edition. Price listed as $15.00. "First Pocket Books Trade Paperback Printing Feb 1999" on copyright. Code "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" also on copyright page.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon: Published in 1999 by Scribner. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.75 x 0.9". Dust jacket price is $16.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Hearts in Atlantis: Published in 1999 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 2.0". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with blue boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Green Mile (hardcover): Published in 2000 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.1 x 9.25 x 1.1". Dust jacket price is $25.00. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
On Writing: Published in 2000 by Scribner. Trim size is 5.9 x 8.75 x 1". Dust jacket price is $25.00. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with yellow boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Secret Windows: Published in 2000 by Book of the Month Club. Trim size is 5.75 x 8.5 x 1.4". Price listed as $18.75. The book is either bound in black or white. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Book of the Month Club does not specify edition information, but as of now, only one edition has been published.
Dreamcatcher: Published in 2001 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 2.0". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in purple cloths with blue boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Black House (with Peter Straub): Published in 2001 by Random House. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.8". Dust jacket price is $28.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. "First Trade Edition" and code "2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3" on copyright page.
Everything's Eventual: Published in 2002 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.75". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in light blue cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
From a Buick 8: Published in 2002 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.3 x 9.5 x 1.3". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in blue cloth with gray boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla: Published in 2003 By Donald M. Grant (in association with Scribner). Trim size is 6.4 x 9.2 x 2.0". Dust jacket price is $35.00. The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers feature pictorals. "FIRST TRADE EDITION" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah: Published in 2004 by Donald M. Grant (in association with Scribner). Trim size is 6.4 x 9.3 x 1.8". Dust jacket price is $30.00. The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers feature pictorals. "FIRST TRADE EDITION" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Faithful (With Stewart O'Nan): Published in 2004 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.3 x 9.2 x 1.2". Dust jacket price is $26.00. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower: Published in 2004 by Donald M. Grant (in association with Scribner). Trim size is 6.4 x 9.0 x 2.3". Dust jacket price is $35.00. The book is full bound in black cloth. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers feature pictorals. "FIRST TRADE EDITION" and code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
The Colorado Kid: Published in 2005 by Hard Case Crime. Trim size is 4.2 x 6.8 x 0.6". This was published as a paperback so no dust jacket, or binding information. Price listed as $5.99. Only one edition exists.
Cell: Published in 2006 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.4 x 9.5 x 1.3". Dust jacket price is $26.95. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with red boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Lisey's Story: Published in 2006 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.4 x 9.5 x 1.6". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is full bound in glossy pictorals. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Blaze: Published in 2007 as a Richard Bachman novel.
Duma Key: Published in 2008 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.5 x 9.5 x 2.0". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with dark blue boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
Just After Sunset: Published in 2008 by Scribner. Trim size is 6.4 x 9.5 x 1.4". Dust jacket price is $28.00. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. Paste-downs and front and rear end papers in white. Code "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" on copyright page.
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Comments
ooohh...that sucks!! That means it has those library stamps on it, and who knows what else! You can find a lot of first editions in great shape at garage sales, used book stores and even places like Goodwill.
I believe Bachman "died" in 1985. .... I just picked up "The Regulators" hard cover, 1st from the Salvation Army...mint. i did not know "Desperation" was related.
**edit** died of cancer..
Well compiled article. Thanks for telling us what to look for.
What a guide, Anna! Really informative and well put together article! The illustrations and definition of terms are great!! I don't have any Stephen Kings in English, not much of a fan, but still found this hub a great source of information!
For me Stephen King is an author that you must have in your collection. Whether you like him, love him or hate him, he is a must.
Pest, I have him, just in Spanish, not in English! I've got plenty of English books, but I do like to read in my own language every now and again! Mystery, terror and those types of topics, I tend to read in Spanish :-)
Pest-- Yeah, Bachman "died". King writes about it, in a fictional sense, in The Dark Half. The books published after Bachman's "death" were said to have been found by his wife amongst his belongings. LOL!
christine-- It was a lot of work, but it was a labor of love, so to speak. I love Stephen King, and spent a lot of time trying to sort all of the information out for myself. I figured it would benefit others to have the access to the information that I managed to compile.
Elena-- Thank you!! When I first started trying to identify my books, and started being a serious collector, I had to search and search for this information, and some of the terms were a little confusing for me. I figured the pictures would make the whole guide a little easier to navigate through. On another note, foreign language editions, and basic foreign editions of his novels do have some value for a U.S. collector. Since they are harder to find here, they are worth more. Overseas releases may not be first U.S. editions, but if you get a first edition for your language, or country, it could be worth some money. I don't know a lot about that, but it would be fun to research!!
Pest-- I agree!!! I have heard so many people say that they don't like Stephen King, and I ask why, and they tell me that it is because they don't like his movies. It makes me laugh. Then I tell them that The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me are based on stories by Stephen King, and they tell me that they like those movies.
EXCELLENT HUB
maanju-- THANK YOU!!
Oooooooooo I am a great lover lover of Stephen King so this is right up my alley. Misery, boy oh boy I will never forget that one. That woman was a complete psychopath.....haha,,,she freaked me out totally.
BP-- She freaked me out, too!!! I love Stephen King!!! I just entered to win a special signed copy of The Stand!!! YAY!!! Hope I get it! I never win anything!
Lots of indepth information. I must bookmark this page, then rummage through my son's Stephen King collection.
Have fun!! When I can find it, I will be adding aproximate values for all the books, as well. That way, everyone has somewhat of an idea of what they are worth.
I just wanted to echo everyone elses comments, great article! I have a few first editions, but mostly UK publications. However, on vacation in California a few years ago I did manage to buy a first edition of Needful Things. Can't wait for your value article!
scramblingman-- Thank you very much!! As for foreign publications, I honestly don't know a lot about that. I wish I did. Maybe I will do some more research and see what I can put together. I am still working on the value part of the whole thing. That is going to be an ongoing work, as values of rare books change frequently. Hope you enjoy Needful Things!!! It's one of my favorites!!
Thank you for writing such a great hub! I have several of the old Stephen King books, and can't wait to compare them to your info, to see if any are first editions!
I love his older work the best, and have also enjoyed watching some of movies they'd made of them. My favorite book of his would probably be The Stand, but I loved Needful Things and The Firestarter almost as much!
Thanks again for this informative hub--I'm so glad I came across it!:)
King's Blaze. I thought Blaze was a Gimmick to readvertise Bachman. But in "I think Differnt Seasons" or a differnt short story collection from early 80's Stephen King does mention of working on a story called Blaze, either in the foreword or afterword write up. Imagine that, Food for thought.
Glenn.
TamCor-- I am glad you found this as well. I hope it is helpful to you!! And if you do find that you do have some first editions of some of the older books, I am always in the market to buy them!! LOL!! Still working on the value guide to the first editions. It's proving a bit harder than I thought it would be.
Glenn-- You may be right on that one. I am not sure. I can check and let you know. Blaze kind of fell flat for me. I never got into the story. Maybe it had to do with the writing perspective. I don't know.
I have the Stephen King book "Skeleton Crew" as stated it is a first edition with all markings $18.95 price, 8506 price code. But the book is a burnt tan or orange cloth binding; it has Chinese markings/characters for the publisher. And Stephen King's name is red on the front DJ. Where did this book come from??
Excelsior-- I believe you may have an import edition of the book. Hold onto it!!! It could be worth quite a bit.
Great piece...just went thru my library and found I have first edition of Desperation...long live the King!
Tashakatet-- Interesting name... Great news on the first edition. I have lost count as to how many I have. I have several first editions that I have more than one copy of, and still, I hate to part with them...maybe in a few more years. OH, and one bit of news, the newest King book comes out next month!!!!
I have about 12 first editions that I would like to sell.. any takers email me @ tcxserv@comcast.net
richard-- Interested, but, unfortunately broke. Best of luck to you!!!
I have been a Stephen Kink lover since I was hold enough to read! Great Article, very informative.
Sandi3m-- Glad to hear it!!! Thank you!!!
I happened upon this hub by accident and I am so happy that I did! I have almost all of Stephen King's original, first edition novels! I am totally floored! I am so glad that I did not get rid of them. I almost did. But I love these books so much I decided to keep them. Awesome! Thanks for the hub. Now I know what to look for when I collect the remaining books.
Am I dead, yet?-- I am jealous!!! I have quite a collection, so far, but nowhere near complete!!! Treasure those books!!!
I Have 3 Stephen King library red leather bound books gold embossed lettering on spline and his name, Firestarter, Christine, Eyes of the dragon like to know how rare they might be if at all. great website and very informative
Mrs Hozey says:
8 months ago
Great article! I searched through my books and found that my copy of The Dark Half is a first edition. Unfortunately, I bought it out of the withdrawn books at the library.