Help identifying 1st trade editions

**zappagirl** · April 1st, 2009

For my birthday, I got two original first editions, The Dead Zone and Firestarter. I have read a lot of things regarding positively identifying 1st edition Stephen King books and from everything I can see, I got two, mint condition, 1st trade edition books.

Normally, book club edition books are smaller than trade editions and easy to identify but I know in the late 70's and early 80's, the book club editions were barely smaller and not even noticeable. But I can't find anything that tells me how to be sure that my book is not a book club book with an original trade edition cover on it. They were purchased from reputable book dealers so I'm pretty certain they are authentic but I'm a paranoid freak and need to prove it to myself.

Sorry if this topic has been discussed before. I am new here and have limited time to return these books if they are not what they are supposed to be. Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks,
ZG

**Moderator** · April 1st, 2009

We have a guide for identifying first editions which you can use to check them out. Look on the right hand side of the page under the Other Resources heading.

**tillyn** · April 1st, 2009

I got a first edition It, book at a used book store, people here (Where i live) don't hold on to SK's books, or not many that i have met, lots in garage sales. I was positively thrilled i only payed 2 bucks! Couldn't believe it. I only had a soft cover, which i had worn out.

**zappagirl** · April 1st, 2009

Thank you. I have read that guide many times. Like I said, I'm fairly certain they are authentic but wondering if there is some small thing, some telling sign that the books are indeed not book club books.

**Matticus** · April 1st, 2009

That guide is such an amazing resource. And as a visual aid, if they are US First Editions, they should look like this:

Hopefully that helps, couple of great books you have there.

**Dallas Riley** · April 2nd, 2009

I guess every new Copy of Duma Key is still first edition. I just looked at a couple of mine. I have the dead zone and Hearts in atlantis as first editions. But i still don't get whats so great about first editions?