Rebuilding my Stephen King library again

[Wayne C. Rogers]

I'll be turning 59 in a few weeks, and I've just started rebuild my Stephen King library for the third time. I started reading King when the paperback version of Salem's Lot was published, then purchased every other one in hardcover when it came out until early 86. I had a lot of signed 1st editions and signed limited editions. When I was told that the bookstore I managed was going to be closed in less than a month, I scrambled to raise enough money to move out West. My Stephen Kings were the only thing I had that was worth a nickel. I sold them to raise funds for money, and then cried for a week. The same thing happened again in 2002 when I got laid off from a Vegas Hotel & Casino. It took longer to find a job than I'd expected and ran out of unemployment. My second library was the only thing that kept me from being homeless until I found a job. After that, I promised myself that I would never invest my time and money into building another King library. Well, that has suddenly changed with the publication of Bev Vincent's new biography on the Maestro, The Illustrated Stephen King Companion, and the upcoming new 1,000 page novel by our favorite author, Under the Dome. I suddenly realized that the anticipation of a King novel coming out during the early years had been the best times of my life, and now, as I get older, I want to relive them by reading all of my favorite books over again. This time, however, I'm only buying Trade Hardcovers (I need the larger print of hardcovers in order to read them) in Fine to New condition. I don't care if they're reprints as long as they are not book club editions. I already have about a dozen books coming in from Amazon and Overstocked.com, including the ones done by Doubleday with the fantastic covers by Peter Kruzan and Craig De Camp on all five of the King books. I think these are the best covers ever done for any of the Maestro's novels, and you can still find them in new condition on the Internet with a little searching. Now, I'm hoping I won't get laid off again anytime soon because this collection won't get me more than a few dollars.

[Haunted]

Enjoy your pursuit and your re-reads. Have you tried abebooks.com? They are a very good clearinghouse.

[doowopgirl]

Ther is nothing better than re discovering old favorites. I wish you luck and pleasure!

[Wayne C. Rogers]

I just the edition of Salem's Lot I wanted from a book seller on abebooks. I paid pretty much the full price for it, but the book was in mint condition. On the other hand, I didn't get the copy of Pet Semetery that I thought I'd ordered. It turned out to be a book club edition with the original cover on it. The book, however, was in like-new condition. Still, so many of these used book sellers on Amazon and Overstocked and Barnes & Noble and abebook, don't seem to know a book club edition from an actual Trade Hardcover and don't give you enough information about the book for sell so that you can make a wise decision. It's like buying a pig in a poke.

[rose key]

I just the edition of Salem's Lot I wanted from a book seller on abebooks. I paid pretty much the full price for it, but the book was in mint condition. On the other hand, I didn't get the copy of Pet Semetery that I thought I'd ordered. It turned out to be a book club edition with the original cover on it. The book, however, was in like-new condition. Still, so many of these used book sellers on Amazon and Overstocked and Barnes & Noble and abebook, don't seem to know a book club edition from an actual Trade Hardcover and don't give you enough information about the book for sell so that you can make a wise decision. It's like buying a pig in a poke.

You're right about buying a pig in a poke. I've also lost my SK 1st editions collections to unfortunate circumstances in my life. Twice! I feel your pain. Most of those books I had bought NEW when they first came out. They were like old friends. Now, I'm on my third (and with God's grace my final) collection. I'm buying used 1st editions from thrift stores, and used book sellers on Amazon. The thing is, if you find a really cheap price, it's probably not the first edition good quality that you may have had in mind. But, if it's cheap, at least you have a copy to read while you keep looking for the good copy you want to save.
I wish you the best of luck on your quest. Know you are by no means alone.

[Bad Bear]

Thanks for the interesting thread, Wayne.

I think one of the delights of getting older is going back and enjoying some of the things I used to do when I was in my twenties. I've recently bought some great books I'd almsot forgotten about, and because it's been twenty of more years, it's like reading many of them afresh again.

[Patricia A]

I just the edition of Salem's Lot I wanted from a book seller on abebooks. I paid pretty much the full price for it, but the book was in mint condition. On the other hand, I didn't get the copy of Pet Semetery that I thought I'd ordered. It turned out to be a book club edition with the original cover on it. The book, however, was in like-new condition. Still, so many of these used book sellers on Amazon and Overstocked and Barnes & Noble and abebook, don't seem to know a book club edition from an actual Trade Hardcover and don't give you enough information about the book for sell so that you can make a wise decision. It's like buying a pig in a poke.

A lot of them do know the difference and just hope you don't. I am a bookseller by trade and know the shenanigans booksellers can get up to. Thankfully I work for store with impeccable ethics so I'm not asked to rip folks off, as a matter of fact it's not allowed.

Anyhow yes buying online is a gamble, check out your local used book store and you might have better luck.
Let the buyer beware.

[Todash]

A lot of them do know the difference and just hope you don't. I am a bookseller by trade and know the shenanigans booksellers can get up to. Thankfully I work for store with impeccable ethics so I'm not asked to rip folks off, as a matter of fact it's not allowed.

Anyhow yes buying online is a gamble, check out your local used book store and you might have better luck.
Let the buyer beware.

'Course, sometimes you luck out. I got a first edition The Eyes of the Dragon (with dust jacket) in good condition for three bucks. (I just wanted the book to read; the fact that it was a 1st ed was gravy.)

[ozman]

I live in Australia & the only way I can get true 1st/1st editions is from ebay or abebooks. Abebooks sellers know the value & what denotes a first edition, but on ebay most sellers are clueless & you can get yourself a bargin. My 3 best deals from ebay are The Dead Zone - signed & inscribed ($230) The Shining ($65) & The Stand ($95). All true first editions & in near fine to fine condition.