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Collector Features & Identification
• Author: Stephen King
• Cover Art & Design: Jacket Design by Neil Stuart / Photography by Geoffrey Gove / Interior Bird Engravings by Lars Hokanson
• Publisher & Year: Viking Penguin (1989)
• Format: Hardcover with Dust Jacket (HCDJ)
• Edition: First Edition, First Printing (Trade Edition).
• Identification: Full number line (1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2) present on the copyright page. The dust jacket is completely unclipped, displaying the original $21.95 retail price.
• Genre: Horror / Psychological Thriller
• Topics: Thad Beaumont, George Stark, Pseudonyms, Castle Rock, Sparrows, Writers
• Page Count: 431 Pages
About the Book (Synopsis)
When critically acclaimed but commercially struggling author Thad Beaumont decides to retire his highly successful, brutally violent pseudonym, \"George Stark,\" he even goes so far as to stage a mock burial in a national magazine. But George Stark doesn\'t want to stay in the ground. A horrifying string of brutal murders begins to terrorize Castle Rock, and all the forensic evidence points directly to Thad. As the nightmare deepens, Thad realizes his dark half has somehow clawed its way into the physical world, completely autonomous and determined to survive at any cost.
Archival Preservation
• Mylar Shield: Protected by a professional-grade, archival-safe 1.5-mil Mylar cover.
• Full-Wrap Backing: The dust jacket is stabilized with acid-free, pH-neutral paper backing. This prevents edge-creasing and protects against acidic migration from the boards.
• Structural Integrity: Stored upright in a smoke-free, climate-controlled environment. The binding is exceptionally firm and resistant.
Condition Report
This book ranges from Very Good to Like New condition. It is a highly preserved first-printing survivor with a few cosmetic notes.
• Dust Jacket: Bright and intact, protected by Mylar. The original $21.95 price is unclipped. DEFECT NOTE: There are remnants of retail stickers present on the exterior of the jacket, which I have stabilized under the archival wrap.
• Binding & Boards: Tight, square, and completely firm. Absolutely no tape marks, glue residue, tearing, or rips to the naked boards.
• Text Block: The internal architecture is exceptional, completely crisp, and incredibly firm. DEFECT NOTE: There is noticeable, natural age-related tanning throughout the pages, which is a common oxidation trait for Viking\'s late-80s paper stock. Despite the tanning, it feels completely unread and tight.
• Internal: No internal markings, library stamps, remainder marks, or previous owner names.
Why This Listing Has Premium Pricing
This is a preserved collector asset that respects forensic honesty. You are paying for verified quality and professional curation:
○ Deep Forensic Research: I conduct meticulous research on every book, thoroughly checking number lines and publisher markers to guarantee exactly which printing you are receiving.
○ The Craft of Preservation: Hardcover books arrive protected by high-grade archival sleeves with acid-free backing.
○ Unmatched Transparency: I provide honest, detailed descriptions of the surface characteristics and structural integrity, ensuring you know exactly what is in your collection.
○ Transparent Pricing & True Shipping: I charge exactly what the post costs me. The listing price reflects the honest market value of a flawless, unread, fully verified first printing.
○ 360° Video Display & Comprehensive Photography: Please see all pictures and the included video to know exactly what you are getting. I utilize a rotating display platform to provide a full 20-second 360-degree rotation of the actual book.
Buyer Inquiries
○ Questions: If you have any questions about this listing or need to see additional details, please reach out. I am always happy to answer any questions you might have.
Physical Dimensions (Books Only)
• Height: 9.50 in
• Length: 6.50 in
• Width: 1.40 in
• Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
Shipping & Handling
• Your book will be shipped with protective padding in a safely padded box or a bubble-wrapped envelope. I ship within 1-2 business days.
• Service: USPS Media Mail
