So, I'm pretty much yelling this from the rooftops, telling random strangers and anyone that will listen to me, and I know there are some big Sai King fans here...

I've been wanting to start a Stephen King 1st Edition/1st Print collection for as long as I've been reading the great man; he's by far my favourite author of all time. I moved a lot when I was in the military and just did a lot of general procrastination about getting started once I was finally settled, the main issue being the difficulty and time that would go into of collecting these books individually or in bunches at a time.

Anyway...

As of 30 minutes ago I secured a 71-book 1st/1st collection in one foul swoop!!!!!!!

3 are 1st/1st duplicates (Thinner, Black House, Later), and Night Shift is a 1st/11th, but all the rest are trade 1st/1st's not BCE's. All with original dust jackets (ones that came with them initially) and in pretty damn good condition.

It is missing some key books that will be a little harder and more expensive to get as 1st/1st's, but it was always going to be the case with a few of them. All in all though, I need approx 10 books and the collection is done!

Seriously ecstatic!!!!!!

Overshare complete

Congrats on your score! I am a huge fellow constant reader here. My favorite author of all time as well. I am currently rereading bag of bones and the stand. I always have for five books I�m working on at the time. Different devices different situation different places LOL.

I had thought about starting a thread dedicated to Stephen King and his books, stories, characterizations, and everything else. He is in my opinion the most prolific writer of all time. I can hardly keep up with reading all the books he pumps out.

I think as writers, we can learn a lot from him.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Congrats on your score! I am a huge fellow constant reader here. My favorite author of all time as well. I am currently rereading bag of bones and the stand. I always have for five books I�m working on at the time. Different devices different situation different places LOL. I had thought about starting a thread dedicated to Stephen King and his books, stories, characterizations, and everything else. He is in my opinion the most prolific writer of all time. I can hardly keep up with reading all the books he pumps out. I think as writers, we can learn a lot from him.

Thanks! It's been a good day.

I'm currently reading Bag of Bones as well I reread The Stand at the beginning of the pandemic... seemed appropriate. Just finished Dolores Claiborne for the first time, loved it!

I have King on an almost constant rotation.

Lots to talk about when it comes to King, I would definitely be involved in a thread dedicated to him and his works.

Billy Summers, his latest book, is in the collection as well

Might share some photos of my babies here. They still need to be shipped from the States, so not in my possession just yet, but they will be in their forever home soon

That is really cool.  Also a fan, and I don't think he gets nearly the respect he deserves.

He probably won't ever be considered one of the "towering" greats of literature, but give it another 100 years or so and he'll probably be comparable to somebody like Twain.  He'll still be read as an important chronicler of the times in which he found himself.

For me, it is Salem's Lot.  The first book to genuinely frighten me as a kid.

Here they are...

Quoted from bert That is really cool.  Also a fan, and I don't think he gets nearly the respect he deserves. He probably won't ever be considered one of the "towering" greats of literature, but give it another 100 years or so and he'll probably be comparable to somebody like Twain.  He'll still be read as an important chronicler of the times in which he found himself. For me, it is Salem's Lot.  The first book to genuinely frighten me as a kid.

100% agree.

Love Salem's Lot, I still think it's King's scariest book and unfortunately is not in this collection. I have my eyes on 1st/1st with a second state dust jacket, one day it will be mine!

King was on the Late Show a few weeks ago.
He was talking about writer's block and said about half way through writing The Stand his character roster had grown to about 20 people. They had all settled in Boulder and he had no idea what to do with all these people. He spent three weeks freaking out that he may never finish the novel.

Then he remembered the quote "When you don't know what to do next, bring on the man with the gun."

That sparked the idea that someone could blow up half the characters and then he'd deal with the ones that were left. That essentially kicked off the 2nd half of the novel.

Huge fan, as well. I've a long commute these past couple years and have been listening to audio books to take up the time. Just listened to Insomnia narrated by Eli Wallach. Read that when it first came out so many years ago. One of my faves but nothing beats the Bill Hodges trilogy and Outsider. Just picked up Billy Summers for my next listen.

Here's my Stephen King close encounter: I build mines (copper, not land) for a living and was working on a project In Ely, Nevada, back in 1994. One night I was sitting at a poker table (every night, actually) for like six hours, totally focused on the game. The next day, someone asked me if I talked to or saw Stephen King the night before. I hadn't. Apparently, he was sitting right behind me most of the night playing the other table. Come to find out he was in town doing research for Desperation! Dammit.

I've had so many 1st editions and printings through the years and now I've none...too many moves. Oh well....

Quoted from JEStaats Huge fan, as well. I've a long commute these past couple years and have been listening to audio books to take up the time. Just listened to Insomnia narrated by Eli Wallach. Read that when it first came out so many years ago. One of my faves but nothing beats the Bill Hodges trilogy and Outsider. Just picked up Billy Summers for my next listen. Here's my Stephen King close encounter: I build mines (copper, not land) for a living and was working on a project In Ely, Nevada, back in 1994. One night I was sitting at a poker table (every night, actually) for like six hours, totally focused on the game. The next day, someone asked me if I talked to or saw Stephen King the night before. I hadn't. Apparently, he was sitting right behind me most of the night playing the other table. Come to find out he was in town doing research for Desperation! Dammit. I've had so many 1st editions and printings through the years and now I've none...too many moves. Oh well....

I've been on the Audiobooks for years now, just started my 30th King book on Audible.

Can't go past anything narrated by Frank Muller, it was a real tragedy not having him finish The Dark Tower series.

Some other faves have been Pet Sematary read by Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Doctor Sleep read by Will Patton, and hard not to love Carrie read by Sissy Spacek.

Dammit indeed!!!

Once these 1st's are in my possession it's till death do us part.

Been reading among since I was 11 or 12. Started with Cujo and on from there. On and off for years but I picked him back up with Liseys Story and continued on in spurts. Currently on The Outsider, a gift for my birthday.

Quoted from Warren Doctor Sleep read by Will Patton...

Will Patton is my absolute favorite narrator! Probably why I love the Bill Hodges trilogy so much. He did a great 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac and James Dickey's 'Deliverance' too.

I only have maybe 20 hardcovers. I don't buy paperbacks. Not sure why. I do have everything, pretty much in digital formats however. Text and audio. I was slow to get on the digital bandwagon, but now I prefer it. And, between my phone, iPad and laptop, since they communicate, I love that I can pick up any device and it immediately goes to the last page I left off.

Love Frank Muller too. Had a bit of a hard time with him when I first started listening to The Black House, but as it turned out, I think he made it even more evil. Ha ha.  

I also think SK does a GREAT job narrating his books. William Hurt read Hearts in Atlantis and I absolutely loved it. Wish he would do more of them. I don't know why, but I prefer male voices when listening.

Quoted from JEStaats Will Patton is my absolute favorite narrator! Probably why I love the Bill Hodges trilogy so much. He did a great 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac and James Dickey's 'Deliverance' too.

He does have a great voice for the work.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I only have maybe 20 hardcovers. I don't buy paperbacks. Not sure why. I do have everything, pretty much in digital formats however. Text and audio. I was slow to get on the digital bandwagon, but now I prefer it. And, between my phone, iPad and laptop, since they communicate, I love that I can pick up any device and it immediately goes to the last page I left off. Love Frank Muller too. Had a bit of a hard time with him when I first started listening to The Black House, but as it turned out, I think he made it even more evil. Ha ha.   I also think SK does a GREAT job narrating his books. William Hurt read Hearts in Atlantis and I absolutely loved it. Wish he would do more of them. I don't know why, but I prefer male voices when listening.

Hardcovers all the way! Unless of course the first edition wasn't a hardcover

And speaking of first edition paperbacks, I managed to fill some pretty important holes in my newly acquired collection today; 3 out of 4 of the early Bachman books. Rage will have to wait as that thing is rare and super expensive... if you can even find one. But this was my haul:

Roadwork
The Long Walk (My favourite King book)
The Running man (Love, love, love this book as well)

Holy smokes, Warren!! Just saw this thread...Amazing score! I also love everything King including "On Writing" which I've listened to on Audible like 100 times. Lol

Amazing collection Warren, massive King fan here too and over the years managed to get a few first/unusual editions (though sold/traded most), he's still my go to author.

I'm a tad... no, make it very, jealous!  

Quoted from mmmarnie Holy smokes, Warren!! Just saw this thread...Amazing score! I also love everything King including "On Writing" which I've listened to on Audible like 100 times. Lol

Yeah, right time, right place. Was a great score.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Amazing collection Warren, massive King fan here too and over the years managed to get a few first/unusual editions (though sold/traded most), he's still my go to author. I'm a tad... no, make it very, jealous!

I cant see anyone getting this collection out of my hands, it's been a long time coming and I'm glad to have finally made a start.

Not sure how much people know about rare and key King first editions, but I just added this to my collection today.

It's an almost pristine condition true 1st/1st. For anyone who knows what that means with regards to this book in particular... as you can imagine I am walking on air today

I don't know if anyone here is familiar with Clive Cussler, but I once got a signed copy of his first book, first edition of The Mediterranean Caper. It was at a garage sale for $0.25!!! I was so excited! I put it in the bookcases with the other books, then didn't think much more about it. Several years later, I noticed it was gone. Someone must have taken it, but I have no idea who.  

This kinda sums up my life at the moment  

Very cool, Warren. Does that printing have the color plates throughout? I've the soft-cover first printing of The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger with the color illustrations. It's a bit dog-eared but treasured regardless. I've a couple of the gunslinger graphic novels, too.

Pia - Huge Clive Cussler fan, too. I've read everything until he started collaborating with others. Just not the same. That signed copy going missing is a shame.

Magnificent! Fine work, sir.

Looks like you’re in the market for a Pet Sematary hard copy. That’s my personal favorite to the point where I’m legit disappointed with King’s own feelings about the book (although those are his to have, of course). Powerful stuff.

Nice Dark Tower collection too. I myself only have some rando paperbacks that aren’t even from the same publisher. Plus I borrowed the first three and no longer have them.

Quoted from James McClung That’s my personal favorite to the point where I’m legit disappointed with King’s own feelings about the book (although those are his to have, of course).

Oh, does King not like Pet Sematary?? It's one of my favourites of his, too...

Quoted from Heretic Oh, does King not like Pet Sematary?? It's one of my favourites of his, too...

King's been on the record about this a decent amount, so you can definitely read up on it. But paraphrasing, I think it was a little too heavy and ugly for him. I believe at one point, he suggested it seemed to imply that "nothing works and nothing's worth it." It's heavy, definitely gets ugly, and the lack of answers hurts, as it should and as it does in real life. These are strengths to me and what make the story feel so real and powerful, whereas they seem to make King feel uncomfortable to this day, almost to the point where maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have written it or shared it with people. That's pure speculation on my part and just geeking out, but that's the impression I've gotten.

We're both in agreement that it's probably (definitely) his scariest novel though. I lost sleep up to my 20s from the 1989 movie, not-so-great 80s acting notwithstanding.

Quoted from James McClung We're both in agreement that it's probably (definitely) his scariest novel though. I lost sleep up to my 20s from the 1989 movie, not-so-great 80s acting notwithstanding.

It's the only book that actually scared me and kept me awake at night. Was it +/-1984? I remember when and where I read it.

Quoted from JEStaats Very cool, Warren. Does that printing have the color plates throughout? I've the soft-cover first printing of The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger with the color illustrations. It's a bit dog-eared but treasured regardless. I've a couple of the gunslinger graphic novels, too.

I should really know that! When I'm holding this beauty in my hands I'll let you know, but I'm fairly certain it does.

I'll be adding the graphic novels to my collection at some point, but probably only after I have a complete collection of 1st/1st's.

Quoted from James McClung Magnificent! Fine work, sir. Looks like you’re in the market for a Pet Sematary hard copy. That’s my personal favorite to the point where I’m legit disappointed with King’s own feelings about the book (although those are his to have, of course). Powerful stuff. Nice Dark Tower collection too. I myself only have some rando paperbacks that aren’t even from the same publisher. Plus I borrowed the first three and no longer have them.

I filled the Pet Sematary hole the other day, along with The Talisman and Cujo, all 1st/1st's.

Quoted from Warren Hardcovers all the way! Unless of course the first edition wasn't a hardcover And speaking of first edition paperbacks, I managed to fill some pretty important holes in my newly acquired collection today; 3 out of 4 of the early Bachman books. Rage will have to wait as that thing is rare and super expensive... if you can even find one. But this was my haul: Roadwork The Long Walk (My favourite King book) The Running man (Love, love, love this book as well)

Update to this...

I scored a copy of Rage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair it's a NEL first edition not a US first edition but still incredibly rare and the only King book that will never be printed again because of the subject matter.

I will still get a US first one day when one pops up, there is actually one currently on eBay but the condition is average at best and it has some water damage. My NEL copy though is near fine.

Score!!!!

BIG SCORE!!!!!!!

Knowing that you collect, I will keep an eye out if I ever come across anything that fits.  

I have sometimes wondered how many evil deeds have been done where the idea came from one of his books...

Ha! There's a movie right there, Pia. I'd watch that.

Quoted from Grandma Bear BIG SCORE!!!!!!! Knowing that you collect, I will keep an eye out if I ever come across anything that fits.   I have sometimes wondered how many evil deeds have been done where the idea came from one of his books...

Thanks!

But there really isn't too much I need at this point. I'm hoping to get all the early Doubleday books (Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, Night Shift, and The Stand) as signed 1st/1st's, very slowly over time.

Just finished 'Billy Summers'. Loved it. Not your typical King by any means.****

Quoted from JEStaats Just finished 'Billy Summers'. Loved it. Not your typical King by any means.****

I've really only heard good things, but it will be awhile before I get there as I have a few others that I am wanting to read or reread before then.

Was actually just about to share something to this thread, incoming...

These babies arrived the other day...





Still a few holes to fill, but a lot of them are in the mail already and heading in my direction.

An almost complete SK 1st/1st collection

Gobsmacking collection. Wow!

I know what a first edition is. What's a first 1st/1st?

Quoted from LC Gobsmacking collection. Wow! I know what a first edition is. What's a first 1st/1st?

It's a beautiful thing.

First edition/First Printing... so generally the rarest of the rare especially for the older books. The near fine 1st/1st copy of The Gunslinger I bought (not pictured) is 1 of 10 000 in existence and the copy of Rage I bought is the only book King as taken out of publication due to the subject mater, very rare and hard to find.

It's a beautiful thing...  

Just looked up Rage, had never heard of it.

Warren, I won't ask you how you got it or how much it cost. A lot of hard work presumably has gone into this collection.

For the distant-distant future I hope you have a Will, cause it looks like a valuable collection. Wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands.

Currently reading : Billy Summers (like a lot of others) and really enjoying it.

I have also read few of his books.

Desperation (my favorite - read it 6 times already)

Dreamcatcher (my least favorite)

Full dark, No stars (Amazing stories)

11.22.63 (Long? Yes. But worth a read)

Everything's Eventual (Except a couple of stories aside, pretty good collection. 'The Road Virus Heads North' my favorite, also a cool title)

Duma key (my 2nd favorite. Read it thrice)

Night Shift (Enjoyable. Especially, 'The last rung on the ladder' close to my heart)

That's about it.

Quoted from LC It's a beautiful thing...   Just looked up Rage, had never heard of it. Warren, I won't ask you how you got it or how much it cost. A lot of hard work presumably has gone into this collection. For the distant-distant future I hope you have a Will, cause it looks like a valuable collection. Wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands. Currently reading : Billy Summers (like a lot of others) and really enjoying it.

If my daughter takes to King when she's a bit older they'll go to her, if not they are getting buried with me  

Quoted from Yuvraj I have also read few of his books. Desperation (my favorite - read it 6 times already) Dreamcatcher (my least favorite) Full dark, No stars (Amazing stories) 11.22.63 (Long? Yes. But worth a read) Everything's Eventual (Except a couple of stories aside, pretty good collection. 'The Road Virus Heads North' my favorite, also a cool title) Duma key (my 2nd favorite. Read it thrice) Night Shift (Enjoyable. Especially, 'The last rung on the ladder' close to my heart) That's about it.

Ah Duma Key, I recommend that book to everyone, and I generally tell non-King readers to start there. It's just such an amazing story and has such a great feel to it.

Quoted from Warren Ah Duma Key, I recommend that book to everyone, and I generally tell non-King readers to start there. It's just such an amazing story and has such a great feel to it.

No doubt about that. Also, it is generally not widely recommended by people, which I find surprising. It is really amazing.

We've all talked about our favorites but what about bottom of the barrel least favorite?

Yuvraj mentioned Dreamcatcher (definitely near the bottom for me). My most painful read was Tommyknockers. OMG. So bloated and overwritten. I remember King going off on pointless tangents that added absolutely nothing to the story. The book could've been edited a good 40%.

Quoted from JEStaats We've all talked about our favorites but what about bottom of the barrel least favorite? Yuvraj mentioned Dreamcatcher (definitely near the bottom for me). My most painful read was Tommyknockers. OMG. So bloated and overwritten. I remember King going off on pointless tangents that added absolutely nothing to the story. The book could've been edited a good 40%.

I remember that in a bookshop, I picked up 'Tommyknockers'. I read 70-80 pages or so and found it intriguing, tbh. Alien spacecraft stuff. Great.

But then, I bought 'Dreamcatcher' coz I really liked its cover, without reading it whatsoever. Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover. Lesson learned the hard way. Lol.

[Btw, there is an easter egg in here. A book name. Comment fast. ]

I believe Warren is working on a new Stephen King board here for discussion about all SK. Looking forward to that.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear I believe Warren is working on a new Stephen King board here for discussion about all SK. Looking forward to that.

I am... might be a little while yet, but it's coming!  

So SK collector mode has gone into overdrive.

I have a very almost complete 1st/1st collection with some real treasures.

But recently I've turned my attention to the Cemetery Dance publications. Not sure if anyone has heard of them but they are truly works of art. They are all very limited print runs, usually no more than 3000 copies in the Gift Edition, even less in signed and numbered editions.

These are the SK books they've produced over the years, most of which are out of print, never to be repeated, other than two or so that you can still get now. For those interested if you click on the individual books you can see the artwork inside and the craftsmanship of these editions. The add-ons are pretty impressive too, especially for The Shining that has a 40 page prologue...

https://www.cemeterydance.com/stephen-king.html

They are currently (since 2014) working their way through a set of the 6 early Doubleday books (Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, Night Shift, and Pet Sematary). These things are awesome...

https://www.cemeterydance.com/stephen-kings-the-doubleday-years-six-book-set.html

What's crazy is the resale value on the books. Try pick any of these up now, especially It 25th Anniversary Special Edition and you may need to lose a Kidney.

So next up as far as publications go is The Stand which I'm sure is going to be a dozy and will likely sell out in hours, if that. If you're interested, scroll down the link below to get a rough idea of the size of what the finished book will look like, it's a behemoth!

https://www.cemeterydance.com/production-updates.html

Having said all that, as of yesterday I own all the Cemetery Dance Doubleday books currently out (Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, and Night Shift). I also have It 25th Anniversary Special Edition, The Dark Man, and Blockade Billy (this actually came with the original lot of 71 books).

I only have Carrie, Night Shift, and Blockade Billy in my possession, the rest are on the way, but I'll share some photos when they all come in.

Hey all,

I'm giving a few books away (as a lot of 6) in a few King FB groups, just as a lucky draw.

I know there are a few King fans here so let me know If you'd like your name to go in the mix. Draw will happen on Monday 6pm Sydney, Australia time. Will ship anywhere in the world at my expense so don't let geography hold you back.

All books are true first edition, first prints but have seen better days. I've replaced all these in my collection with better condition copies and would love for them to go to a loving home

And, Pia... I haven't forgotten. Just had a few things come up

Quoted from Warren And, Pia... I haven't forgotten. Just had a few things come up

Awesome! Can't wait. I'm  King girl for sure!!!