King, Stephen (1979) ‘The Stand’, UK signed first edition

Stephen King (1979) ‘The Stand‘, UK first edition, first printing, published by New English Library. Signed and inscribed by King on the title page: “For Gilbert Vincent – Hope you enjoy this – and best wishes, Stephen King, March 27, 1979”. The UK print run of ‘The Stand’ was less than 1,000 copies (see below), with far fewer signed. This is a beutiful copy, signed in King’s old hand and signature matching his handwriting and signing style of the late 1970s. The book will have been signed on, or around publication day.

Condition: a visibly unread copy with very minor shelf wear as pictured, and a whiff of foxing to the page block edges. Otherwise taut, with no lean, no previous owners’ inscriptions, no bookplates, no stamps. The lettering on the spine is vibrant gold and unrubbed. The dust jacket is near fine, not price clipped. It has very light edge wear and the common problem of the laminate lifting itself from the wrapper.

‘The Stand’ was published for the first time by Doubleday in the US in September 1978, with a reported print run of 70,000 copies. It is King’s fifth novel, and sixth book overall counting in the short story collection ‘Night Shift’ (February 1978). In the UK, King’s early books were published by New English Library (NEL), a house focusing on the genre fiction fantasy, sci-fi, mystery and suspense. The print run of those early NEL King publications was reportedly much lower in the UK. For example, it is estimated that King’s debut novel ‘Carrie’ had an initial NEL print run of 600 to 1,000 copies only in conratst to 30,000 copies in the US. Similarly, ‘The Stand’ was published in a quantity of less than 1,000 copies [http://www.stephenkingcollector.com/identifyingUK1st.html]. Although the print records have never been revealed and are likely lost, copies come rarely up for sale in any condition, and we have never seen another signed UK first edition for sale.

The price takes into account condition, scarcity, and inscription signed with earliest possible date.

‘The Stand’ is a fan favourite and has been adapted as a TV-mini series. A remake as film or new TV-show has been in production hell for a long time now.