There are several important reasons that collectors give in choosing Stephen King first editions as their favorite category...that includes value, potential appreciation, and short supply & demand (ie. owning books that very few have).
It is true that there could be different versions of each book that is considered collectible. However, if you are looking to build a library that has the potential to appreciate in value over time and bring you as close as you can get to the book the author intended his readers to read, it makes sense to only collect first editions.
Perception is reality.
First editions may not seem a practical choice, given their sometimes steep prices, but owning a rare book few others own and being able to cherish it in your own personal library can outweigh the impracticality of the purchase.
So what's the best way to identify a First Edition?
Is it a First Edition or a Book Club Edition?
Now you will know, with this Stephen King
First Edition ID Guide. This is a complete list of all novels/collections, starting with CARRIE up to the last release, If It Bleeds. This is a table that includes publisher information, cover photo, and all first edition
issue points for each.
This is a very useful resource for the Stephen King fan, “constant reader” and collector. Consider this a complete list of all Stephen King books, expertly organized into easy-to-search tables.
You may have seen similar guides online. However, with so many books published over decades, this one allows you to both SEARCH and SORT by title, publication date, or even by the publisher. Given that the first edition is always the most valuable version of each book, it's always a good idea to separate those from the later editions and Book Club Editions.
"I don’t know about you but I’m often asked if a King book is a first edition? Is it worth anything? What about this edition or that? Well, since King’s published a lot of books and it’s hard to keep track of every edition this has always been questions that’s been hard to answer-until now. Now I can just point whoever’s asking to Veryfinebooks and their Stephen King Collectors Guides. Here you’ll find what you need."
– Lilja from Lilja’s Library