Collecting: Older BotMC vs. Newer Versions

[Dave Crowe]

I have been collecting, very modest, getting all works in hardcover, and I had a question for other collector's of Mr. King's work:

Is it better to have an older, beat up dust jacket copy of a Book of the Month Club copy or a newer, nicer dust jacket copy of a regular for sale version of the book. I ask becauase I had to pick up a large lot of books to get a couple of copies of things I wanted and now I have a decision to make on what to keep and what to resell. I'm not a big money first edition collector, just a fan!

Aesthetics-wise I enjoy the binding on the older Book of the Month club versions because they have the bi-color cloth and board style as opposed to the solid board style hardcover.

Thanks for any advice!

[mhatchett]

My rule of the thumb is buy the best you can afford, Improve as you go along and collect what You Love, not what others tell you, you should Love. I have lots of great paperbacks, BOMCs and even a few Ex-library copies. I'll never be able to affors those sweet Bradbury firsts I would like, so I have not problem having nice later or even BOMC copies.
Welcome aboard. I think you'll find lots of nice people here.
MDH

[Highbury]

I would echo the same thoughts. Collect what makes you happy. A lot of my own King books were a gift from a friend who passed away. Some are the book club editions, some smell a little like my friend's pipe. They will never be worth anything from a Sotheby's point of view but they add character and intrinsic value to my library. They will stay with me, that's what is important truly but I can only speak for myself.

[subie09lega]

I would echo the same thoughts. Collect what makes you happy. A lot of my own King books were a gift from a friend who passed away. Some are the book club editions, some smell a little like my friend's pipe. They will never be worth anything from a Sotheby's point of view but they add character and intrinsic value to my library. They will stay with me, that's what is important truly but I can only speak for myself.

Completely agree here. I heard someone say to the effect that collectors don't have anything but first editions in their collection but I say people can collect whatever they want. If you like what you have, what does it matter what others say?

[TerryE]

Neither is a first print, so the monetary value is probably similar. Keep the version you like best.

[Highbury]

True, what is remarkable is when a signature of King is on there the value goes to the moon. It's impressive.