Stephen King’s The Stand is one of the essential modern horror and dark fantasy novels, and the 1978 Doubleday first edition remains a cornerstone for King collectors. Because the book was later reissued in a much larger “Complete and Uncut” edition, it is especially important to distinguish the original 1978 edition from later printings and editions.
The original 1978 Doubleday first edition
The trade first edition of The Stand was published by Doubleday in 1978. StephenKingCollector.com records the first edition print run at 70,000 copies and notes several key identifying details: the book was issued in dust jacket priced at $12.95, the copyright page states “First Edition,” and the inner margin of page 823 includes the gutter code T39.
Those three details together are useful: publisher, copyright statement, and the T39 code. A jacketed copy with the original $12.95 price is generally preferable to one lacking the jacket, supplied with a later jacket, or paired with a book club jacket.
The 1990 Complete and Uncut edition
In 1990, Doubleday issued The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition, restoring substantial text and revising the setting. It is an important King edition, but it is not the same collectible object as the 1978 first edition. The 1990 edition has its own first-trade edition points and a much larger print run, so collectors should be clear about which edition they are buying or selling.
Condition and jacket quality
As with most modern first editions, condition drives value. Collectors look closely at spine lean, page block staining, board wear, jacket chips, fading, closed tears, restoration, and whether the dust jacket is price-clipped. A bright, unclipped jacket can make a major difference.
Quick checklist
- Doubleday, 1978
- “First Edition” on copyright page
- Gutter code T39 at page 823
- Original dust jacket priced $12.95
- Not the 1990 Complete and Uncut edition
The Rare Book Sleuth buys and sells collectible Stephen King first editions, signed books, proofs, limited editions, and notable association copies. Browse current horror inventory or submit Stephen King books you are considering selling.
Sources and further reading
- Justin Brooks, Stephen King: A Primary Bibliography of the World's Most Popular Author (Cemetery Dance Publications, 2008)
- StephenKingCollector.com: The Stand first edition information
- StephenKing.com: official bibliography
- Publication history of The Stand
Kevin Sell, The Rare Book Sleuth, ABAA / ILAB