King, Stephen (1985) ‘Skeleton Crew’, US signed first edition with the uncorrected proof, plus a warmly inscribed Christmas card to his editor Bill Thompson

Stephen King (1985) ‘Skeleton Crew‘, US first edition, first printing, published by Putnam. Signed by the author on the title page. Together with the Skeleton Crew uncorrected proof bound in yellow wraps. Together with a Christmas card, warmly inscribed to his editor Bill Thompson, signed by Stephen King and his wife Tabitha.

Provenance: from the library of Bill Thompson who was Stephen King’s first editor and discoverer at Doubleday. Back in the early 1970s he stood up for King when ‘Carrie’ landed on his desk, fought for him and secured the then young author an advance of USD 2,500. The two men have been friends for five decades.

The Christmas card: a beautiful card with a winter landscape showing on the front. When opened the card’s printed message is ‘Happy Holidays’. Inscribed by Stephen King: “Hope you’ll have a wonderful holiday | season and a knockout 1982 – Bill, thanks | for making Danse Macabre happen and for | all the other things you made happen – | you my main man, but I guess you | didn’t need me to tell you that – we think | of the three of you often, and always with | love – and my dear friend Holly also | send her love – | Steve | Tabby”

Condition of Skeleton Crew trade first edition: near fine and unread. Light shelf wear only. One small tear to the dust jacket.

Condition of the Skeleton Crew uncorrected proof: very good and unread with unbroken spine. Some non-uniform shading at the rear. Spine also darkened. Light rubbing. Internally clean.