EX Destroyed my Stephen King Collection

[tjmedeiros]

My entire collection of Stephen King books, including several first editions was destroyed by my ex during oiur divorce. Not one other book in my collection of over a 1000 was touched, as she knew my King books were my most prized, if not necessarily highest valued.

Now I am in the process of trying to rebuild my collection and having some difficulty with certain titles. I only purchase hard backs except for the Dark Tower series and have tried Amazon, but like to know if there are better resources for purchasing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tom
tom@vantaggiollc.com

[do1you9love?]

So sorry to hear that! :saddd: I have had luck finding used books on alibris.com and have some friends who like half.com (it,s a spinoff of ebay). Also, check your area for locally owned bookstores.

Good luck!

[GNTLGNT]

....a public flaying would seem to be in order here...what an asshat she is...

[Todash]

I have EXCELLENT luck at our local thrift stores ... and online, abebooks.com is a great resource.

I have to say that on reading the subject of this thread I actually gasped.

[fljoe0]

A good place to pick up old hard backs (that are often first editions) are the thrift stores. I hit the Goodwill & Salvation Army stores periodically and have scored a few nice copies pretty cheap.

Another good source is ebay.

[Spideyman]

May I suggest Betts Books- online.
http://www.bettsbooks.com/

[Patricia A]

All good suggestions. I can't add much but to say I'm sorry. What a shame, ex-people sure do know how to hurt a body. I hope you did something pretty good to have that one coming. One thing about Stephen King's books is that he sells so prolifically that his books are really easy to find used. I work in a new/used bookstore and see radical tons of his stuff, (including first editions) coming in (and going out) all of the time.
Also, if you let your local used bookseller know of your dilemma, I'm sure they will be happy to help you replace your precioussssss. My store sells perfectly beautiful first editions of most SK titles for from $5 down to $1.
Someone at my store once priced a first edition of The Gunslinger for $5. I nearly crapped myself.... but that's a story for some other time.

So make an adventure of it! Look at it as a treasure hunt and make lemonade!

PS Welcome to the SKMB, I hope you keep posting and let us know how you are progressing in rebuilding your SK collection.

[nate_watkins]

Does she have a shoe collection?

[GNTLGNT]

Does she have a shoe collection?

...and he a male cat with a strong urge to mark territory?...(yeah, my docksiders were never the same again)...

[fljoe0]

Does she have a shoe collection?

:rofl: That reminds me of that scene in "War Of The Roses" when Michael Douglas saws off the heels of all of his wife's shoes during their divorce.

[Shasta]

I will happily hurt her/him for you.

I agree with Spidey - Bett's Books. I can't say enough nice things about David, the owner.

And www.abebooks.com.

[carrie's younger brother]

The Strand:

http://www.strandbooks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.results&hasInventory=true&searchString=stephen+king&x=0&y=0

[mustangclaire]

Crumbs, that's the pits... So hope you manage to get your collection sourced again. Absolute travesty...:30_002:

[Shasta]

Is it bad that I can't help thinking that the more first editions are destroyed the more mine are worth? (Not that I would ever, ever sell them. I wouldn't.)

I am a bad, bad person.

[Lily Sawyer]

Oh, Tom.....that's horrible. I am so sorry you're without your collection. :down:
I don't know if you're interested in brand-new books or okay with used ones that are in good condition, but I've always had luck with Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA. The books I've bought there are in great condition, always with jackets, and are reasonably-priced. I even have two first editions (luck of the draw) that were purchased there. The owners are really cool, friendly people - it's a store that specializes in horror, not just Halloween merchandise, so you can also find other horror authors there. Ask if there are any signed books, too, because they have signings there all the time.

http://www.darkdel.com/

[Haunted]

How could anyone, anyone destroy a book??:down::lfacepalm: Maybe it's best that you are no longer bound?

[Shasta]

How could anyone, anyone destroy a book??:down::lfacepalm: Maybe it's best that you are no longer bound?

I think it depends on the book. I tore up a cheap paperback version of Dracula to make a coffee table.

[Todash]

I think it depends on the book. I tore up a cheap paperback version of Dracula to make a coffee table.
EXPLAIN PLEASE. I'm not judging. I just want to know what you did. :biggrin2:

[Shasta]

EXPLAIN PLEASE. I'm not judging. I just want to know what you did. :biggrin2:

We've talked about this! I was supposed to get you a picture, like a million years ago. And I will someday!

I stained and tore the pages and decoupaged them onto the side of a coffee table. Okay. That's it. I'm taking a picture tonight.

[not_nadine]

I would destroy any Twilight book.

Good luck with your collection. That' terrible. :mad:

[Todash]

We've talked about this! I was supposed to get you a picture, like a million years ago. And I will someday!

I stained and tore the pages and decoupaged them onto the side of a coffee table. Okay. That's it. I'm taking a picture tonight.That's right; we have! Okay, well. I can remember turning 10. But what happened a month ago is a little fuzzy.

[AchtungBaby]

I'd be pissed...

Do you have a 2nd & Charles near you? I have gotten many of my King hardbacks at the local one for good prices, and they only accept used books that are in pretty much new or brand new condition. I think it's more of a southern store though, and I don't know where you live.

My advice, like other have said, is thrift shops, thrift shops, thrift shops! You can never go wrong with 'em.

[Shasta]

That's right; we have! Okay, well. I can remember turning 10. But what happened a month ago is a little fuzzy.

:hmm:

[kingricefan]

Hit as many used bookstores and thrift shops in your area that you can. You will be amazed at what you will find! I've said it on here before, but I once found, in a small town north of Seattle, a beautiful mint hardback copy of Insomnia that was SIGNED (yes, it's his siggy, I'd know that man's siggy anywhere!!) and paid $1.99!! Found a signed 1st hardback of Bag Of Bones at a HalfPrice Books (it wasn't your store, Pats!!) and paid $5.98! I run across Bachman paperbacks every once in a while at thrift stores too. Anyone remember SKemers? I think there was a member there who's ex-wife gave all of his limited edition King books to Goodwill. Good Lord.............

[Haunted]

It's like Kristallnacht all over again.:down::26_002:

[kingricefan]

Oh, I just remembered that when a friend of mine got a divorce, before she was able to remove all of her items from their house, her ex-husband tore out the last printed page in all of her signed Anne Rice books. She didn't even realize it till about a year after she moved away from him! What a lame-o!!

[Shasta]

Oh, I just remembered that when a friend of mine got a divorce, before she was able to remove all of her items from their house, her ex-husband tore out the last printed page in all of her signed Anne Rice books. She didn't even realize it till about a year after she moved away from him! What a lame-o!!

Wow. That's just pure evil when it's that well thought out.

[Brian]

PM me your home address. I got you.

[Jordan]

PM me your home address. I got you.

New members cannot use the PM system.

[Shasta]

PM me your home address. I got you.

I have a very sad story too. I just can't think of it right now. What are you going to send me?

Kidding, kidding. That's very nice of you.

[tjmedeiros]

PM me your home address. I got you.

Brian, what have you got for me? I can't PM as I am a new user.

[Brian]

Don't wanna say. :zip: Just PM me when you can.

[kingricefan]

Brian, what have you got for me? I can't PM as I am a new user.

I think you only need to have 10 posts under your belt to PM a member, so get those posts going!! Or is the 10 posts thing to join a group?

[Spideyman]

I think you only need to have 10 posts under your belt to PM a member, so get those posts going!! Or is the 10 posts thing to join a group?

PM is open after 5 posts of the public side.

[Shasta]

Brian, what have you got for me? I can't PM as I am a new user.

Does it matter what he's "got" you? You should be thrilled you have a potential surprise coming!! A, "thanks, man, that's really rad," is in order, methinks.

[kingricefan]

Does it matter what he's "got" you? You should be thrilled you have a potential surprise coming!! A, "thanks, man, that's really rad," is in order, methinks.

Shasta, now back on down, girl, you're reading too much into this one.......:love2:

[Shasta]

Shasta, now back on down, girl, you're reading too much into this one.......:love2:

I'm not angry! Did I come across angry? Sorry!

I was being serious. A surprise makes it better!!! That's all.

[tjmedeiros]

Thanks everyone for the ideas on where to repurchase my collection, as well as the heartfelt concern. I'm getting by and my collection is growing on a daily basis. Thrift stores, used book stores...they are out there waiting to be reclaimed!

[Ragan]

Glad to hear you're rebuilding. For hardbacks, I'd check with local used bookstores. They tend to not want hardbacks because of the size and a lack of demand, but they always have a lot, and they're either really cheap (because they want rid of them), or overpriced for collectors.

Thrift stores can be great (a lot of my books come from those), but the selection is always random. You can usually find a couple of Sai King's books there in hardback. And those are always cheap.

If you have a Hastings nearby, they sell used books and bargain books, and there's often some Stephen King books there. You can find somewhat recent hard covers for $5-8 there, and if you watch their sales, you'll see some good ones (one time they had 5 used books for $25, no matter what price they are). The problem is they put a green USED sticker on the book, which is hard to get off completely.

And of course, online is good if you're unable to find a specific book. The shipping can be annoying though.

[tjmedeiros]

The local library (Sonoma County) is having their annual book sale to raise funds for the library in April. Fri, Sat, and Sun they sell books by the inch ($1 for hard backs), On Monday they sell them for $4/bag...you bring the bag....I'm hoping to really hit the jackpot then!

[Brian]

Just a reminder, PM me your home address. I work for Stephen and can offer you something special to shine in your new collection.

[Shasta]

Just a reminder, PM me your home address. I work for Stephen and can offer you something special to shine in your new collection.

My birthday is in two weeks......

Just sayin'.

[mustangclaire]

My birthday is in two weeks......

Just sayin'.

It's mine tomorrow.... ;-D

[kingricefan]

It's mine tomorrow.... ;-D

Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!!

[mustangclaire]

meant to add my entire collection of King slipped off the shelf into the fire... here's hopin!!;-D. No disrespect to the OP btw, just having a giggle...thanks kingricefan ;-D

[kingricefan]

meant to add my entire collection of King slipped off the shelf into the fire... here's hopin!!;-D. No disrespect to the OP btw, just having a giggle...thanks kingricefan ;-D

You betcha! Hey, I can come over and help you blow out those candles........I'll wear my fur-lined jock.........:hahahahaha:

[Agincourt Concierge]

Sorry your ex was an azz .....

I have great luck at GoodWill .... really cheap and most of the time the books are in great condition ......

[Coulrophobia]

Sorry to hear of the loss I know the feeling. I lost my entire collection due to the flooding in New Jersey. It is almost impossible to replace it all dating back to the early 70's. I did move to higher ground. I have focused on just collecting my favorite book "IT" since there is much one can collect from just that one book. I hope in time you can replace all that you lost.

[nate_watkins]

My ex destroyed my first guitar (acoustic)... But, in her defense, the following year, she replaced it with another (electric) and a new amp. But it still took awhile to get over the first one...

She didn't have a shoe collection.

[SharonC]

My first husband was, well let's try to be PG here - a drunken, drugged up idiot! He would sell his mother if he could get enough for his next little party. He not only sold all my hard cover SK's, but books that belonged to my father, which were irreplaceable. He took my entire movie and cd collection. If that was not bad enough, he took cds which belonged to my daughter who was 6 at the time. There are people in this world who are just plain mean, or unthinking and do not consider how their actions affect other people. To this day, my daughter still talks about that as one of the most hurtful things ever done to her.

Took me many years and searches but I'm nearly there. Only one or two of the more difficult ones to find and I'll be there. So cheer up - You lost your books but she lost you! You can't be replaced.

[Shoesalesman]

Better condition softcover copies of Insomnia and Four Past Midnight.

(I'm replacing and passing on my used, tattered softcovers for ones that have uncracked spines and are as blemish-free as possible)

[king family fan]

How could someone be so cruel as to destroy a collection.

[not_nadine]

My sister's ex once destroyed all of our family pictures and home movies. I took the home movies to a place and had them spliced together. I don't know where they are now. But after, it was still random movie going from 4 yrs old to 8.. then 12 and back again.

[nate_watkins]

My sister's ex once destroyed all of our family pictures and home movies. I took the home movies to a place and had them spliced together. I don't know where they are now. But after, it was still random movie going from 4 yrs old to 8.. then 12 and back again.

It definitely seems childish that someone would choose to destroy something meaningful to another person. It seems like they're a little too full of themselves.

[TheGooch8494]

I would destroy something of equal value...if the witch has something of that caliber. I do not know what I would do if someone messed with my collection, or anything in my library for that matter. That is disgusting to hear and if she had a fraction of soul left in her she would feel terrible about this. You are better off in this world without her my man and I hope she feels regret everyday for this crime. My apologies for your loss.

[Dana Jean]

I've had this happen. I've had people in my life break things on purpose that they know I love to hurt me. And it does hurt. Very much.


It definitely seems childish that someone would choose to destroy something meaningful to another person. It seems like they're a little too full of themselves.

[Shasta]

I've had this happen. I've had people in my life break things on purpose that they know I love to hurt me. And it does hurt. Very much.

I have too and I agree. My step-mother "accidentally" threw away all my movies and pictures from childhood so I now have basically nothing.

The people who do these kinds of things are not good people. They are the kind of people who want to inflict and much psychological pain as they can. And, as Dana Jean says, it does hurt.

[unclelouie]

If your town has a 2nd and Charles store, you might try there. Last time I went to our 2nd and Charles (it's a buy/sell/trade store... books, comics, records, cds, dvds, t-shirts, etc.), they had every Dark Tower, It, The Stand, Duma Key, Eyes of the Dragon, Blockade Billy, Geralds Game, The Shining, The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon, Carrie, Hearts in Atlantsis, several short story/novella collections, Roadwork (single book), The Talisman, and maybe a couple others (I took a mental inventory ;).

[shookme]

How could someone be so cruel as to destroy a collection.

You've obviously never been through a divorce...:a43:

[kingricefan]

I've had this happen. I've had people in my life break things on purpose that they know I love to hurt me. And it does hurt. Very much.

What makes it worse isn't that 'they' broke an object that you liked, it's that when they broke something of yours (on purpose) they also broke a piece of your soul. B*stards!

[Autumn Gust]

You've obviously never been through a divorce...:a43:

:laugh:

When I broke up with my boyfriend in high school, I threw out every single item associated with him-- gifts, cards, notes, pictures. I even cut out every picture of him and his name wherever it appeared in the yearbook. Once as a newlywed, I got mad and threw all my husband's clothes out in the common area of our apartment complex in one big pile, underwear on top. I've settled down now :heheh: but I do know how it feels when you get really angry. And even though I was very immature back then I never would have destroyed anything valuable or physically hurt anyone. Looking back, all that drama seems so stupid.