Question About "Dear Constant Reader" and Autographs

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

I am an avid Stephen King reader and fan. In fact, we moved to Maine in large part because of the description of Maine and Mainers. I have dozens of his books, and was cleaning up our home library last week when I discovered what I believe is a signed copy of "Bag of Bones."

But its placement made me look twice, as it is at the back of the book, just after the "Dear Constant Reader" note. And here is my question:

Is the signature printed with the book, as like a signature to a letter? Or do I have a signed copy of the book?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Dana Jean]

Welcome Michelle! I will tag Stephen's personal assistant to weigh in.

Moderator

 

[GNTLGNT]

...without completely blowing up my bookcase, and disrupting the nesting clan of action figures (woe unto me if I do THAT), I don't recall a facsimile signature at the end....if you can get a pic of it posted, it would certainly aid our Moderator in determining validity.....

 

[king family fan]

 

[Spideyman]

Just looked. My hardcover copy has Author Notes in the front, and no Dear Constant Reader in the back. Only the epilogue to the story. No signature.
Yes, a photo of the signature would help MsMod make an identification.

 

[not_nadine]

Welcome to the boards! Well, that is a nice unexpected surprise.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

Thank you, all. Attaching a photo.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Thank you, all. Attaching a photo.

...it's a little sketchy...just my humble opinion...Ms Mod will know, having worked for him so long...

 

[kingricefan]

Nothing like this in my copy of Bag Of Bones.....

 

[Moderator]

I am an avid Stephen King reader and fan. In fact, we moved to Maine in large part because of the description of Maine and Mainers. I have dozens of his books, and was cleaning up our home library last week when I discovered what I believe is a signed copy of "Bag of Bones."

But its placement made me look twice, as it is at the back of the book, just after the "Dear Constant Reader" note. And here is my question:

Is the signature printed with the book, as like a signature to a letter? Or do I have a signed copy of the book?

Thanks for any help.

Stephen typically (just about always) signs his books in the front. Can't say I've ever seen him sign one at the back. Also, I just checked my hardcover copy (Scribner 1st edition) of Bag of Bones and the text you have in the photo does not appear in my copy either at the front or the back. There is an Author's Note at the front, but no Dear Constant Reader anywhere in the book. What edition do you have?

 

[AchtungBaby]

That's the 1999 paperback copy. Mine is like that too.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

When I started trying to find out whether this was his signature or a stamped one, I found that almost all were done on the title page.

The reason I don't know about this one is that this was one of the many books my daughter asked me to hold while she was in the Army. 17 years ago. She died last July on active duty, and I think she would be the only one who knew for sure whether she got it from Stephen or not. I know she had a few from when she went to his office years ago, though I don't know where the went.

In any event, I believe that AchtungBaby is correct. What I have seems to me to be June 1999. (The copyright pages are so much more confusing today than than they were when I was younger!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Spideyman]

When I started trying to find out whether this was his signature or a stamped one, I found that almost all were done on the title page.

The reason I don't know about this one is that this was one of the many books my daughter asked me to hold while she was in the Army. 17 years ago. She died last July on active duty, and I think she would be the only one who knew for sure whether she got it from Stephen or not. I know she had a few from when she went to his office years ago, though I don't know where the went.

In any event, I believe that AchtungBaby is correct. What I have seems to me to be June 1999. (The copyright pages are so much more confusing today than than they were when I was younger!

Thanks for your help!

I'd keep it if just for the memories and attachment to you daughter. And if she has visited the office, there is always the possibility he did sign it. Most Constant Readers are accustomed to his signature at the front of the book.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

I'd keep it if just for the memories and attachment to you daughter. And if she has visited the office, there is always the possibility he did sign it. Most Constant Readers are accustomed to his signature at the front of the book.

Oh, I'll be keeping it! I just want to know if I can brag about it!

 

[daniel ray brower]

Not an expert but it looks printed...

 

[kingricefan]

When I started trying to find out whether this was his signature or a stamped one, I found that almost all were done on the title page.

The reason I don't know about this one is that this was one of the many books my daughter asked me to hold while she was in the Army. 17 years ago. She died last July on active duty, and I think she would be the only one who knew for sure whether she got it from Stephen or not. I know she had a few from when she went to his office years ago, though I don't know where the went.

In any event, I believe that AchtungBaby is correct. What I have seems to me to be June 1999. (The copyright pages are so much more confusing today than than they were when I was younger!

Thanks for your help!

Michelle, I am sorry for the loss of your daughter. You must be proud that she served her country. Hang onto the memories of her, especially her laughter.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

Stephen typically (just about always) signs his books in the front. Can't say I've ever seen him sign one at the back. Also, I just checked my hardcover copy (Scribner 1st edition) of Bag of Bones and the text you have in the photo does not appear in my copy either at the front or the back. There is an Author's Note at the front, but no Dear Constant Reader anywhere in the book. What edition do you have?

I probably should have replied instead of posting regular. I posted this later down the thread.

What I have seems to me to be June 1999. (The copyright pages are so much more confusing today than than they were when I was younger!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Moderator]

I probably should have replied instead of posting regular. I posted this later down the thread.

What I have seems to me to be June 1999. (The copyright pages are so much more confusing today than than they were when I was younger!

Thanks for your help!

My sincere condolences for the loss of your daughter.

I checked the paperbacks and this is a printed signature that is in all the copies. Even if she had brought that one to the office for signature, though, he would have signed it at the front on the title page.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

My sincere condolences for the loss of your daughter.

I checked the paperbacks and this is a printed signature that is in all the copies. Even if she had brought that one to the office for signature, though, he would have signed it at the front on the title page.

Thank you for taking the time to find out for me.

I am grateful for the fact that I found this board in my quest to find out.

 

[MichelleNorthOfBangor]

Thank all who sent their condolences about the death of my daughter. While it is a pain like no other, I have to say that she died doing exactly exactly what she loved to do. The Army has been so helpful with support in all matters, including grief counseling, that it makes me want to apologize for the 1960s.