Pet Sematary is a good example of a Stephen King first edition where a few small details do a lot of work. The book is common enough that condition makes a real difference, but the correct first-edition points still matter.
The U.S. first edition was published by Doubleday in 1983. A correct first edition should have "First Edition" printed on the copyright page. The dust jacket should retain the $15.95 price, and collectors also look for the code Y38 on page 374.
What to check first
Start with the jacket. If the jacket has been price-clipped, supplied from another copy, heavily restored, or badly worn, that changes the desirability of the book even if the copyright page is right. Then check the copyright page for the First Edition statement and the page 374 code.
Why condition matters
The dark jacket shows rubbing, creasing, and edge wear easily. Copies can look decent at a glance and then reveal small flaws under better light. With King first editions, the difference between a merely acceptable copy and a sharp collector's copy is often in the jacket.
Quick checklist
- Publisher: Doubleday
- Publication year: 1983
- Copyright page: "First Edition"
- Dust jacket price: $15.95
- Page 374 code: Y38
- Condition: jacket wear and price clipping matter
If you have a copy of Pet Sematary or another Stephen King first edition, you can send photos to The Rare Book Sleuth. Photos of the jacket front, jacket flap, copyright page, and any wear are usually enough for a first look.
Sources and further reading
- Justin Brooks, Stephen King: A Primary Bibliography of the World's Most Popular Author (Cemetery Dance Publications, 2008)
- StephenKingCollector.com: Pet Sematary first edition guide
- StephenKingCollector.com: Stephen King first editions index
- StephenKing.com: official bibliography
Kevin Sell, The Rare Book Sleuth, ABAA / ILAB