Holdorf Covers-Education Required

[smashman]

Hello Guys & Gals,

If I understand correctly, and I likely do not, the Holdorf Editions are all just later prints with a Holdorf jacket? Do the books themselves differ from "normal" later prints?

And if they're all just later prints, is there any record of what would be the lowest number available in the numberlines for each one?

Does a certain numberline make one copy more valuable than another or are they all the same value if like-like condition?

And why is it that Pet Sematary is near-impossible to find while the others are relatively abundant?

If there's already a thread somewhere on this, just direct me there!

Thanks!

[mulleins]

The Holdorf Doubleday copies are different. The spine lettering and the Stephen King signature are RED versus GOLD.

I will have to look at my copies to get the actual number lines, but they are all later numbers.... not a one counts down to 1 or states First Edition (because they are later releases).

Ralph

[smashman]

Thanks Ralph,

Any insight as why Pet Sematary is so scarce?

[Sherlock Joe's]

The Holdorf Doubleday copies are different. The spine lettering and the Stephen King signature are RED versus GOLD.

I will have to look at my copies to get the actual number lines, but they are all later numbers.... not a one counts down to 1 or states First Edition (because they are later releases).

Ralph

Ralph,

Are you referring to the lettering on the book itself or the dust jacket?

Pics would be greatly appreciated in case I run across one that someone has just put the Holdorf dust jacket on any old copy.

[mulleins]

Sorry, should have specified.... the red "Stephen King" and "Pet Sematary" is stamped on the actual book itself.

When I get to my collection (traveling right now) I will gladly take pictures and post. If you receive a Holdorf jacket copy and the King signature stamped on the book is in gold, the Holdorf jacket has been placed on another copy.

Pictures posted soon.

Ralph

[mulleins]

Sorry, should have specified.... the red "Stephen King" and "Pet Sematary" is stamped on the actual book itself.

When I get to my collection (traveling right now) I will gladly take pictures and post. If you receive a Holdorf jacket copy and the King signature stamped on the book is in gold, the Holdorf jacket has been placed on another copy.

Pictures posted soon.

Ralph

Please excuse the fast picture taking (and my terrible skills at it):

The Pet Sematary on the left (gold letter) is a first edition Doubleday - The Pet Sematary on the right (red letter) is the Doubleday Holdorf release.

Question: Do all the Holdorf releases have the RED lettering on the spine and front boards?
Answer: Yes, if you see gold lettering under a Holdorf jacket, it has been swapped.

Question: Are any of the Holdorf releases a first edition from Doubleday
Answer: No, all are later printings.

Hope the above helps.

Ralph Mulleins

[Sherlock Joe's]

Thank you, Ralph, appreciate it!

[smashman]

Yes, agreed! Thanks Ralph! Will be interested to hear what is the lowest numberline found on your editions.

Did they release these one at a time or all at once? I'm wondering if they weren't big sellers and if released one at a time, by the time they got to Pet Sematary, they printed far less of them?

[mulleins]

Yes, agreed! Thanks Ralph! Will be interested to hear what is the lowest numberline found on your editions.

Did they release these one at a time or all at once? I'm wondering if they weren't big sellers and if released one at a time, by the time they got to Pet Sematary, they printed far less of them?

RE: Doubleday Holdorf Number lines

I can only vouch for my Holdorf copies but my number lines are the following:

Carrie - 6 8 10 11 9 7
Salem's- 18 19
Night Shift- 17 18 16
Shining- 18 19 17
Stand- 19 18 17 16 15 14 13
Sematary- 14 16 18 20 21 19 17 15

The copies also have RED/Burgundy paste downs and all have the "anchor" logo (also seen on the dust jacket spine)

Doubleday did do a few of these in bookclub form with no prices on the jackets but full size books.

As for the reason Pet Sematary is the hardest (from what Holdorfs agent told me) Thomas passed away before the contract were finalized so that probably contributes to the smaller print run. The project for all the jackets were completed in one year - 1993 - but Doubleday didn't release all the copies at once. Sort of a rolling release.

Hope this info helps all our collectors.

Ralph Mulleins

[smashman]

Excellent info Ralph. Thanks for taking the time!