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The shining S10 gutter code, third printing?

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:27 pm
by Haven4ravens
Hi!
I have copy of The Shining with a S10 gutter code. The first edition is R49 and I'm aware of a S2 and a S23(?). That means they were printing editions juat weeks apart right? I'm trying to find out if there are any collectors who have knowledge of any other printings in 1978 or know what printing I might have. I believe it's a third.

Thanks!

Re: The shining S10 gutter code, third printing?

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2021 10:19 am
by TheCollector
I'm not sure of all the printings but for gutter codes the letter is the year and the number is the week to R49 and S2 would be approximately one month apart. An S23 would be 21 weeks beyond that, or almost half a year.

Re: The shining S10 gutter code, third printing?

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:48 am
by Haven4ravens
Hi, thanks!
Another question, I have a night shift copy with a gutter code of Z. I had thought that maybe it was an 8th printing, but now that I have seen at least 4 printings of The Shining in 1977 alone, i know that's probably incorrect! Any idea out there of a Night Shift edition with a number line? Process of elimination!😃

Thanks again!

Re: The shining S10 gutter code, third printing?

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:01 pm
by TheCollector
Check out the WIki for Doubleday gutter codes. It's as comprehensive as you're going to get.
http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Gutter_code

Re: The shining S10 gutter code, third printing?

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:23 am
by daniel_pyle
I've been trying to compile a list of the different printings of the Doubleday books. Eventually, Doubleday started putting a number line on the copyright page. For instance, I've seen a copy of Carrie with a price of $16.95 and a 10th printing number line, a 13th printing of 'Salem's Lot ($19.95), and a 11th printing of Night Shift ($17.95), etc., so I figure if I keep logging the different prices/gutter codes I run across, I'll eventually be able to fill in all the gaps. The Shining seems to be the only one with so many printings so close together. I've seen R49, S3, S10, and S14 copies (all $8.95) and also at least two printings in 1984 (Z10 and Z32), with others in between, of course. So far, The Stand is the only other book I've run across with multiple printings from the same year, and those are at either end of the year (Z5 and Z46).

As far as Night Shift goes, before that $17.95 11th printing, I've also seen CC ($16.95), BB ($15.95), and AA ($15.95) copies, so I would say a Z copy is likely a 7th printing or earlier, depending on if there are any other printings I haven't come across yet (and if all my data is correct, obviously).

I know this is all a very inexact science. Especially given the way people sometimes swap dust jackets, but I figure eventually with enough data, I should at least be able to get a pretty good idea.