Is My Copy of The Shining a First Edition? How to Identify
You have a hardcover copy of Stephen King’s The Shining and you want to know if it’s a genuine first edition, first printing. King’s third novel — and the one that cemented his position as the preeminent horror writer of his generation — has become one of the most collected modern first editions, boosted by Stanley Kubrick’s legendary 1980 film adaptation.
The Quick Answer
A true first edition, first printing was published by Doubleday & Company in January 1977 with a cover price of $8.95. The key identifier is the Doubleday code on the copyright page: the code should read something consistent with a first printing identification per Doubleday’s convention.
Step-by-Step Identification
Step 1: Check the Publisher
The title page must read Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York. Doubleday published King’s first five novels (Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Shining, The Stand, The Dead Zone) before he moved to Viking.
Step 2: Check the Copyright Page
Doubleday gutter code. Doubleday used a letter code on the copyright page to identify printings. For a first printing, the code sequence should be consistent with a first-printing designation per Doubleday’s system. Consult current King bibliographies for the exact code, as Doubleday’s system varied.
“First Edition” statement. Some Doubleday first printings carry a “First Edition” statement, but this is not always reliable as Doubleday sometimes retained the statement in early reprintings.
Copyright: “Copyright © 1977 by Stephen King.”
Step 3: Check the Binding
First printing binding:
- Black boards with red and silver lettering on the spine
- The binding is standard Doubleday trade quality
- Boards should be firm and square
Step 4: Check the Dust Jacket
The dust jacket is distinctive:
- Features a face (stylized, somewhat abstract) looking out at the viewer — the iconic image associated with the novel
- $8.95 price on the front flap
- Author biography on the rear flap
- First-state jacket should not mention the Kubrick film (released in 1980)
Step 5: Rule Out Book Club Editions
Doubleday was itself a major book club operator (the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club), and book club editions of King novels are extremely common. Key differences:
- No price on the jacket flap (the most reliable indicator)
- Blind stamp or debossed mark on the rear board (a small circle, square, or other mark pressed into the board)
- Lighter weight — cheaper paper stock
- Thinner boards
Book club editions of The Shining are worth $20–$75; trade first editions start at $1,000+.
What Is My Copy Worth?
True First Edition, First Printing
Doubleday’s first printing was substantial — King was already a bestselling author after Carrie (1974) and ‘Salem’s Lot (1975). The first printing was likely in the range of 25,000–50,000 copies.
| Condition | Without Dust Jacket | With Dust Jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Fine/Fine | $2,000–$4,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Near Fine/Near Fine | $1,000–$2,000 | $2,500–$7,000 |
| Very Good/Very Good | $400–$1,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Good/Good | $150–$400 | $500–$1,500 |
Signed Copies
King has been a prolific signer throughout his career, and signed copies of The Shining exist in moderate numbers. However, signed first editions specifically are less common than signed later editions.
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Signed, Fine/Fine (with jacket) | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Signed, Fine/Fine (without jacket) | $3,000–$7,000 |
Common Questions
How does the Kubrick film affect values?
Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation — starring Jack Nicholson in his iconic performance — is one of the most acclaimed horror films ever made. The film’s cultural omnipresence (the Overlook Hotel, the twins, “Here’s Johnny,” the elevator of blood, REDRUM) keeps The Shining permanently in public consciousness. This constant cultural visibility sustains collector demand.
Interestingly, King himself has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Kubrick’s adaptation, preferring the 1997 TV miniseries that he helped produce. This King-vs.-Kubrick tension adds another layer of cultural interest to the novel’s collecting profile.
How does The Shining compare to Carrie and ‘Salem’s Lot in value?
Carrie (1974, Doubleday) is King’s most valuable first edition because it was his debut and had the smallest first printing ($10,000–$30,000 for signed first editions). ‘Salem’s Lot (1975, Doubleday) is the second most valuable ($5,000–$15,000 signed). The Shining is the third, but its iconic status — arguably the most famous King title due to the Kubrick film — gives it outsized cultural significance relative to its price.
My copy has the “First Edition” text but also seems to be a book club edition. How?
Doubleday’s dual role as trade publisher and book club operator created confusion. The company sometimes used similar copyright page layouts for both editions. Always check the jacket flap price and the rear board for a blind stamp. The presence or absence of a jacket flap price is the single most reliable indicator: price present = trade edition; price absent = book club edition.
Is Doctor Sleep (the sequel) collectible?
Doctor Sleep (2013, Scribner) is collected as a King title and as a companion to The Shining. First editions in Fine/Fine condition sell for $50–$150; signed copies for $200–$500. The large first printing keeps prices modest.