You asked for it... You got it!

A visitor to my page asked me if I could post pictures of some of my Bookmarks. 
It took me a little longer than I had hoped to get my act in gear, but I did, and here are those pictures.

I know there are a few missing, and I'm pretty sure they are stuck in a book somewhere...  To be found again some time later...     I hope!?!?
But I do have a selection to show.

My Thanks go out to that visitor for the request.  It is my pleasure to show off as much of my collection as possible so, by all means, if there is something you would like to see or explore please send in your requests, suggestions and/or thoughts.  I will attempt to do what ever I can.

 

As we can see, the majority of my bookmarks are from a series of yearly Calendar Bookmarks that are double sided.  I have been getting them in sets of 3 for each year and I have, so far, from 2011 through to 2016.  There are also two sets that are non-calendar, with just some cool art graphics of "Things King".

 

I get them from a very nice seller on EBay who makes and sells a wide variety of bookmarks.  They are very well done, priced very reasonably, and always ship fast. (yeah I know, that was a plug, but couldn't help it) 

 

Here's a few other markers I have.  There's a couple from my favourite Specialty Dealer - The Overlook Connection.  Owner Dave Hinchberger is great for adding little extras with your purchases from his store.  If you have not been to Dave's place, you should check him out.
We also see here a bookmark from The Green Mile and another item that is not quite a bookmark, but more of a page from a promotional note pad.  It is something different and unique, so I thought I would throw it in here.

 

The next few photos are the reverse sides of  the markers displayed above. 

 

 

 

 

Well that's about that for now on this topic.  Hope you saw something you liked and enjoyed the visit.

Not sure yet of next post, but I will have something interesting to share on our next visit.  So Please, do come back again........

WOW! What a Response...

I had no idea - THANK YOU - to everyone!!!

 

When I first dreamed up this "little project", I wasn't sure if I was just kidding myself.

Would anyone really even be interested or not?

 

Well I can say that I am both, "Very Surprised" and, "Very Pleased" by the response I have had.

The great support from Family, Friends and so many other great Stephen King Fans from around the world is amazing.

But the most influential support I have received, is from within what is known as "The Stephen King Community".  Those are the folks, and very dedicated individuals, who commit to their passions for King and put it out there for other fans and enthusiasts.  They are the ones who write about, and publish, works about the world of Stephen King.  They are the ones who maintain, (and in at least one case, for 20 years) incredible Websites and Blogs for those seeking "All Things King".

You can't be a serious collector of King without knowing about, and interacting with these great people. 
So, you may ask... What does it take to be a serious collector?
Well, the obvious first step, is the Constant Reader Passion.  Those afflicted know what I'm talking about.
Next is, available financial resources.  That's the toughie...
It is said that collectors can range from those on a "Beer Budget" to those on a "Champaign Budget" and anywhere in between.
I started with the beer budget strategy, but now it would be fair to say I'm into the "Fine Wines Category".  Have yet to reach Champaign, as I don't own any of the very nice Limited or signed editions...yet.
The final step is the sources of supply, as in both information and the actual purchasing of your treasures.   

 



To say Thanks to some of these great people for their support and encouragement, I would like to point out a few of them here.

 

Specialty Publishers

 

These are the great publishers of very fine editions of King's books, as well as great books about Stephen King and his works.  Presses like Cemetery Dance, where they publish a great magazine featuring horror and dark fantasy fiction as well as their very nicely done specialty editions. 

I will be doing some feature presentations of a number of great pieces I have from them.







Specialty Dealers and Sellers

 

To locate those items that you just won't find at your local used book and/or magazine stores, you need to be on the lists with specialty book sellers and dealers.  For example places like The Overlook Connection Bookstore and Press.  The owner Dave Hinchberger and I have had a "dealing" relationship since the early 1990's.  Man, that was before the internet days... Mail Order Catalogues...

We are still going strong toady with orders stacking up.  Dave has also published some cool King books that I will be showing off later.

Time Tunnel was another nice source back in those days too.  There will also be a presentation on specialty dealers and catalogues later on...

Staying Connected Online

 

For the best in up-to-date information on Stephen King related news today, we have the Internet.

And by far, the best King online source of news and info is Lilja's Library.  If you have never been there, you need to check it out.  He has even published a book featuring his website and its history.  This coming year will be Lilja's 20th year and he will be doing things to celebrate it over the year.

 

And, in my opinion, the second best site online goes to Talk Stephen King.  It is an amazing Blog that I have been following for years now.  David has a way of finding the unique and always interesting tidbits of King info and news.  I also enjoy his own thoughts, comments and journals on everything Stephen King.  He has also published a book of his own, A Face Among The Masters, that compares King's status among other great authors in history.

It was David's kind words on his site about my efforts and his welcoming my voice to "the King community" that felt the best.  Thanks David! 

 

Thanks again to everyone.  I appreciate all your kind words and thoughts.

If there is something I can bring off the shelves to look at, please let me know.

In fact my next post will be a response to a request from a page visitor. 

Stay tuned...

Mass Market Trade Paperback Editions

To finish out the more traditional mass market versions of King's books published, and that I have in my collection, there are the Trade Paperback editions.  Similar in size to the Hard Cover editions but with a "soft" cover.  Not all of King's books have seen this treatment, especially the earlier books, but they are rather common today.

In my first photo I have all The Dark Tower series (except for The Little Sisters of Eluria).  The reason I am holding two copies of the first novel in the series, The Gunslinger, is because one of them has an embossed cover.  King's name and the title are raised, or imprinted, on the cover. 
In the beginning of the publication of the series, the Trade Paperback was the only way the general public could get them.  Unless, of course, you had one of the Limited Donald M Grant editions.
And in the bottom right, you can see I also have Under the Dome in Trade Paperback.

The Dark Tower series with Under The Dome

 



There was a special Trade Paperback edition of six of King's early books that were published in the early 1990's.  They were referred to as The Collectors Editions. 
They were released with two separate cover styles and each one had a new "celebrity" introduction by someone different.

Trade Paperback Collectors Editions of 6 early King novels

The celebrity introductions to these titles were as follows:
Carrie - Tabatha King
Salem's Lot - Clive Barker
The Shining - Ken Follett

The Dead Zone - Anne Rivers Siddons
Firestarter - John Grisham
Cujo - Dan Simmons
 

In my next photo we can see a variety of Kings books in Trade Paperback. 
There's an edition of Carrie that has a new Introduction by Stephen King.
We see there's two versions of The Bachman Books.  There's the one released, in 1985, when it was discovered that King was actually Richard Bachman and, there's the one released in 1996 with a new introduction by King titled "The Importance of Being Bachman".
These are one of the only remaining places you will would be able to find Rage, as King has taken it out of print.  The only King book (to my knowledge), out of print today.
You will see I also have two editions of The Green Mile in Trade Paperback.  Again, one has a nice embossed cover and the other one I found in a used book store with it's own slipcase... Just had to have it...you know?
To finish out this photo, we also have Cycle of the Werewolf, Everything's Eventual with the "1408" movie tie-in cover, Joyland, and Full Dark No Stars with the new story "Under the Weather". 



Carrie, The Bachman Books, The Green Mile and others

 



My next shot is of King's Storm of the Century.  It is the original script for the TV mini series of the same name that King did with ABC for a "major television event".

Storm of the Century

 



And, in my final photo for this shoot, There is another variety of King Trade Paperback editions.
There's Under the Dome, Lisey's Story, Duma Key, 11-22-63, Doctor Sleep, Mr. Mercedes,  and Revival.  As you can see, there is a wide variety of King's works available in Trade Paperback editions

More recent Trade Paperback editions of King's novels

 



Well, I think that pretty much covers all of King's books to be found in the traditional mass market formats.  Next, I'll be getting into the Specialty and Limited editions of his books that I have here in my treasure chest.
Thanks for visiting and I hope you are liking what you are seeing.  The really interesting items are yet to come.  I envision this as a long leisurely stroll through the many varied and eclectic items I have to share. 
Please, come along for the journey, I'm sure I'll make it worth your while...

Mass Market Paperback Editions

Next up are my mass market paperback editions.
As paperbacks are not as collectible (except of course for reading copies...lol) or as interesting as hardcovers, I am not taking them all down for a layout shoot like I did for the hardcovers. 

 My Paperbacks are not as up to snuff as my Hardcovers are. 

I have many of the early ones but am missing many of his newest works.

But, within the paperbacks I do have, there are some very interesting ones.

Like the editions featured in this photo

Here I have selected a few to feature.  For example, there's the nice set of matching cover designs for the first four Dark Tower Novels. 

I also have some of the original Bachman Paperbacks here, including the movie tie-in edition for The Running Man.   I also, of course, have The Bachman Books paperback that does contain Rage.  And, hiding on the right, is also a copy of The Mist stand alone movie tie-in.

But by far, the most interesting paperbacks I have are the two (black and white covered) True First Editions of Firestarter, that were artificially created as limited editions because of an error at the printers.  Those are the two on the left that have the by-line From the Author of "The Dead Zone".

When the publishers went to press for the novel, they did a "test print run" of just 25,000 copies with those covers.  When they were satisfied that the print run was fine, they then set up to do the actual 1st edition run of 2,000,000 copies.  These covers had the by-line From the Author of "The Dead Zone" and "Cujo.

However, the fellow setting up the plate for the copy right page scratched of the number 1, thereby showing this print run as the second edition when it should have been the First.

With this error, he accidentally created a limited first edition of Firestarter in paperback.  To the bane of all us "Completists" out there, who have to have the first edition of everything!!!

For the full story, refer the November 1986 edition of Castle Rock the Stephen King Newsletter.

There have been many different designs and covers for all of Kings books in paperback.  I mean, think about it, only one of his novels (Rage) has been taken out of print.  That means they need a lot of covers... It would be an extremely daunting task to collect ALL of them...

Let's not forget The Green Mile serial set.

And finally, we all remember The Green Mile six part series.  I bought each one as they were released monthly.

And later, I found this cool collected boxed set that came with an added gift.  It was a Green Mile screen saver program for computers.  I did have it installed on and older platform on my home computer and I put it on my computer at work.  It was pretty cool.  Does not work on the newer systems and platforms of today however.  Wonder if anyone could up date it???

Mass Market Trade Hardcover Editions

My Stephen King Mass Market Trade Hardcover Editions

Of all of Kings novels and collections that saw a traditional Hardcover release, I am only missing four.  Those are Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Dead Zone and On Writing.  Except for a few of his earlier books, mine are all pretty much First Editions.
Of all the hardcovers I have, I am only missing the dust jacket for one.  That's Different Seasons. (you can see the "Bare-back" in there to the right of Danse Macabre)

 I must admit, this is the first time I have taken pictures of all my hardcovers

together,laid out like this.

 I had no idea the amount of effort it would take to do this.

 I needed my stepladder to take them all down...

And again to put them all back up into their respective homes.

That empty space at the top of this pic that is...lol

 

As for current market value on any of these, it all comes down to supply and demand, as in any collector's market.  King's earlier releases were much smaller print runs than any of his later works that saw first runs of over a million copies.  The smaller print runs (for example Carrie, that I believe had a first print run of only 26,00 copies) command a higher price on the collector's market.  Unfortunately, in my case I do not own very many first editions of the earlier books.

But this "constant reader" is also a "constant seeker".  I am always on the lookout for those early first editions.

Non-the-less!, I am very proud of my collection and am enjoying sharing it with other Stephen King Fans and Lovers.  I hope you are also enjoying.........  

Breaking Down the Collection

Now for a look at how I intend to break the presentation of this Collection down into categories and/or sections.

I feel that the logical process would be to start where most people first discovered Stephen King for themselves.
And, in most cases, that was the first "mass market" edition of one of King's novels in a Trade Hardcover Edition.  Or, for those of us that could not afford the hardcover and had to, gulp!, wait for the mass market Paperback (or it's larger cousin, the Trade Paperback) editions.  An actual Book, in other words.
The next logical place to go would have to be Movies, TV Series, Mini Series, etc.. and other mass media appearances and adaptations of all things Stephen King.
Following all these treasures, are many other interesting and unique items to explore.

 So that is where I will begin, with each posting representing a particular section of the collection.  I see these "sectional breakdowns" as follows:

Within the Traditional Book Publishing Media 



Mass Market Trade Hardcover Editions
Mas Market Paperback Editions
Mass Market Trade Paperback Editions
Specialty Hardcover Editions
Other Paperback Editions

Within Other Traditional Mass Market Media



Audio Adaptations or Readings
Movies, Miniseries, Videos, and Related
Magazines and Newsletters
Comic Book and Graphic Adaptations
Stephen King Reference Books and Materials

 

Then There's the "Other" Non-Traditional Media

 This will be a "catch-all" group featuring a

wide variety of all things Stephen King!

  

Book Marks; Post Cards; Posters; Photographs; Newspaper Clippings; Specialty Book Dealer(s) Catalogues; T-Shirts; Action Figures; Movie Scripts; Anthology Appearances; Pin-back or aka Lapel Buttons; Artwork Portfolios; Lighters and Matches; CD ROM's; As well as a number of other unique items.

 

As I go along, I will also be including "special feature presentations" on specific pieces of interest.

If there are any particular items you would like to know more about, please let me know.  I would be happy to share my treasures, and what I know about them, with you.

 

So, to finish this post out, I would like to share some more pictures.  A few teaser's for you all!!!

 

The first one is an example of how all these various categories of collectibles can be represented with just one King novel.

How about his first one?  Say, Carrie???

 

I count 14 different "incarnations" of Carrie

Can you id them all?

I will point out that yes, those are two versions of Carrie in "Doll-house" size...

 

 

The next few are some close-ups of some of the shelves in my collection.  I hope you enjoy!!!

 

Movies, videos and miscellany

TV Series, DVDs, Buttons, etc.

Comic Books, Reference and CD ROMs

Calendars, Book Marks, Movie Scripts, Audio, etc.

Books on Cassettes, Limited Editions, and

The Illustrated Stephen King Companion 

Vast Reference library and a couple of

very nice Art Related pieces 

Looking across the top of the wall...

Some Anthology related books and Paperbacks

Note the Collectors Trade Paperbacks in the upper corner...



Well I thinks that should do for a good introduction. 

I'm really looking forward to this "little project" growing and having lots of fun with it.  I also hope there are those that would also like to come along for the journey. 
 

Next Post: Mass Market Trade Hardcover Editions

 







My Collection in 2015

For my second post, I'll bring my "shelfie" a little more up-to-date... as in 2015

        My collection has now over-taken our Living Room, from floor to ceiling and beyond...

 

But First...

Before I get too far ahead of my self, I would like to share the story of a very special item in my collection and how it is going to be incorporated into my Blog.

Of everything in this treasure chest, one of my most cherished - and, of course, is a one of only in the world - is my "feature plaque" that was created for me by my wonderful (and very understanding) wife on our first Christmas together in 2002.  My Dixie has always been my biggest champion and full supporter in my obsession with everything Stephen King.  I know she has just as much pride in our collection as I do...

Tim's Collection Plaque

So here's what I am going to do, in appreciation for Dixie's support and understanding.
With every picture of my collection that I post, my plaque will be included in it somewhere.
My intent with this is to help keep some form of "authenticity" to my posts and pictures.  To prove that they are actual items from my collection and not just a picture from somewhere on-line or some other source.

So what's in that there collection???

Here's a quick breakdown of the main body of the collection and the kinds of items to be found.

Across the top are all my mass market Trade Hardcover Editions.  The majority of them are 1st editions c/w dust covers.  I am only missing "Salem's Lot", "The Shining" and "The Dead Zone"

On the shelf below, hiding behind a selection of audio book versions (with a lot more of them to come), are my magazines, newsletters and various items.  At last count, there are over 350 magazines from a wide variety of sources.  I will be doing some features on a number of these in the future...  Surprises abound!

On the shelf below the magazines and etc., are my Stephen King Library Red Leather Editions.  Of the original 47 editions, I am only missing 6.  Constant Reader Always seeking...

 

 

Within my original two black bookcases (circa 1995), there is a huge variety of collectibles and "things Stephen King". 

There are movies, videos, TV series, and audio adaptations. 

There is a host of comic book or graphic adaptations. 

There are calendars, bookmarks, pin-back buttons, post cards, movie scripts, and a number of other great things. 



And, there's my vast Stephen King Reference Library.  One of the proudest points of my collection!

I will be featuring a lot of those awesome pieces in more detail as I go. 

 

 

And, hanging out at the bottom of all of this, are some more of my great reference materials, some more audio adaptations and some selections of art related King collectibles.

 

There are many treasures to be explored here and I hope to share some great details and stories about them all.

 

Thanks for checking it out and if there is something specific you would like to see, let me know...



Trial Run and Launching of My Blog

OK, Here goes with my first test post.
First, fair warning, this is my first attempt to set up and run a Blog.

"What was my inspiration?" some may ask.  Well, it was sparked as I've noticed a few Stephen King fans posting "shelfies" of their collections of King books on Face Book. 
It got me to wondering what kinds of reactions I might get if I was to share some pictures and stories of some of the interesting items I have collected over the years. 

To kick this Blog off, I am including a couple of pictures of my complete collection.

                                      Here is a "shelfie" of my collection around 2005.

                                    And, here's a "shelfie" of my collection in 2009


Over my ongoing Posts, which I hope to be on a weekly basis, I will endeavour to feature the many different categories and types of collectibles I have amassed in 20 plus years of collecting.

I also hope to share some of the more unique items up close with feature presentations.

My next immediate posts will break down my collection into groups or categories, if you prefer.

Wish me Luck, and by all means, share your thoughts...