The prolific Stephen King has long established himself as the undisputed master of horror fiction. Born September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine, "King Fear" began his literary career while teaching high school English, selling short stories to science fiction/fantasy and men's magazines on the side. His first published novel, Carrie, came in 1974. And the rest, as they say, is history...

Here are ten valuable Stephen King first edition books along with their selling prices at auction. Pay attention, as many of King's first editions and limited editions can show up at second-hand stores, garage sales, flea markets and the like. And one of the most important things to remember? Condition, condition, condition, especially as it applies to the all-important dust jacket. Autographed copies will also bring premium prices.

Carrie (Doubleday, 1974)

This thin, 199-page novel is Stephen King's first published book. It's the story of Carrietta "Carrie" White, an abused, awkward teenage girl who uses her supernatural telekinetic abilities to wreak havoc on her high school tormentors. The book's dust jacket was designed by Alex Gotfryd. The original hardcover edition of Carrie was not a huge success, racking up only 13,000 copies in sales. Carrie was almost the book that wasn't, as King's wife, Tabitha, had rescued the manuscript from the trash after her husband had threw it away in frustration. Auction result in fine condition: $1,439.98.

Carrie first edition (Doubleday, 1974)

'Salem's Lot (Doubleday, 1975)

Stephen King's second published novel, 'Salem's Lot is the author's 439-page take on vampires, who take up residence in the small Maine town of Jerusalem's Lot. The novel earned a World Fantasy Award for Best Novel nomination in 1976. Auction result in near fine condition: $858.01.

'Salem's Lot first edition (Doubleday, 1975)

The Shining (Doubleday, 1977)

This terrifying 447-page novel features the main character of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and alcoholic who goes insane while serving as the winter caretaker for the spooky Overlook Hotel in Colorado. The novel was inspired by the King family's solitary stay at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, in the reportedly haunted room 217. Auction result in near fine condition and inscribed/autographed by the author: $2,868.

The Shining first edition (Doubleday, 1977)

The Stand (Doubleday, 1978)

This big, sprawling 823-page novel is set in a post-apocalyptic America devastated by the superflu a.k.a. "Captain Tripps." The survivors band together, trying to stop the evil Randall Flagg. The Stand remains one of King's personal favorites. Auction result in fine condition: $179.25.

The Stand first edition (Doubleday, 1978)

The Dead Zone (Viking, 1979)

Johnny Smith is gravely injured in an automobile accident, later awakening from a five-year coma and endowed with the gift of prophecy in this 426-page thriller. Smith envisions an unstable congressman who ascends to the presidency and starts World War III. Auction result in near fine condition and signed by the author: $597.50.

The Dead Zone first edition (Viking, 1979)

Firestarter (Phantasia Press, 1980)

Young Charlene "Charlie" McGee, whose parents participated in a experimental drug trial while in college, is endowed with the ability to start fires at will. The Shop, a secret government agency, learns of Charlie, sending assassin John Rainbird to bring in the girl and her parents in this high-powered, pyrotechnic novel. Auction result for a signed limited/first edition – #465 of 725 copies – from Michigan-based Phantasia Press in near mint condition: $896.25.

Firestarter signed limited/first edition (Phantasia Press, 1980)

Cujo (Viking, 1981)

A rabid St. Bernard named Cujo terrorizes the Trenton family in Castle Rock, Maine, in this sometimes unintentionally humorous dog-bites-man novel. The winner of a British Fantasy Award, Cujo may not be one of King's best efforts, but then the author by his own admission was drinking very heavily at the time and "barely remembers writing [it] at all." The book's snarling dust jacket was the work of illustrator R. Adelson. Auction result in fine condition: $51.

Cujo first edition (Viking, 1981)

Christine (Donald M. Grant, 1983)

High school geek Arnie Cunningham acquires a haunted 1958 Plymouth Fury called Christine, which proves to be a murderous ride in this automotive ghost story. King dedicated Christine to noted horror filmmaker George Romero (Dawn of the Dead) and his wife Christine. Auction result for a signed limited/first edition in original slipcase – #713 of 1,000 copies – from Rhode Island's Donald M. Grant Press in near mint condition: $567.63.

Christine signed limited/first edition (Donald M. Grant, 1983)

Pet Sematary (Doubleday, 1983)

Dr. Louis Creed attempts to resurrect his dead son Gage, digging up his body and reinterring him in an ancient Indian burial ground known for its curative powers. Gage does return to the living, but is hardly the sweet little boy of old. Pet Sematary is obviously King's ode to the classic 1902 short story "The Monkey's Paw" by British writer W.W. Jacobs. The book's dust jacket was the work of Linda Fennimore. Auction result in fine condition: $34.

Pet Sematary first edition (Doubleday, 1983)

Thinner (New American Library, 1984)

Writing under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, King delivers a wild tale of obese lawyer Billy Halleck, who runs over an old Gypsy woman but is later acquitted of vehicular manslaughter. Halleck is then cursed by one of the Gypsies – "thinner," he whispers to the attorney – resulting in rapid weight loss which spirals out of control. Auction result in near fine condition with the rare thin white paper band reading "Stephen King/writing as Richard Bachman" wrapped around the dust jacket: $107.55.

Thinner first edition (New American Library, 1984)

Ten More Stephen King Collectible First Edition Books

• Cycle of the Werewolf (The Land of Enchantment, 1983)/first trade hardcover edition/fine $155.35
• The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (Donald M. Grant, 1982)/first trade edition/near fine $478
• The Tommyknockers (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1987)/first edition/fine $36
• Bag of Bones (Scribner, 1998)/first edition signed by the author/fine $203.15
• Black House with Peter Straub (Donald M. Grant, 2002)/first limited edition signed by King and Straub/near mint in shrinkwrap $317.87
• Desperation (Donald M. Grant, 1996)/first limited edition in clamshell box signed by author/fine $334.60
• The Bachman Books containing the novellas Rage, The Long Walk, Roadwork, The Running Man (New American Library, 1985)/first omnibus edition/fine $155.35
• Night Shift (Doubleday, 1978)/first edition inscribed and signed by author/fine $1,553.50
• Gerald's Game (Viking, 1992)/limited A.B.A. edition in slipcase/fine $36
• It (Phantasia Press, 1986)/first German and world edition in red felt slipcase/fine $478

Signed Stephen King book page from 1982

Source

• All auction results and images courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas
• Top image: Novelist Stephen King

Copyright © 2013 William J. Felchner. All rights reserved.