Fire-Starter

6b Stephen King. New York: The Viking Press, 1980. First Edition.  Notes Stephen King stands as one of the most prolific and globally successful titans of modern contemporary fiction, permanently revolutionizing the horror, sci-fi, and suspense genres. Raised in Maine, King began writing from a young age, overcoming years of financial hardship to achieve overnight literary stardom with his debut novel, Carrie. Gifted with an unparalleled capability to ground high-concept, supernatural terror within the familiar, gritty landscape of blue-collar Americana, he has produced dozens of definitive masterworks—including The Shining, The Stand, Misery, and It. Over a massive career spanning more than five decades, King has seamlessly woven complex cultural commentary, small-town psychology, and deep human vulnerability into his macabre storytelling, selling hundreds of millions of books worldwide and firmly cementing his legacy as America's preeminent dark storyteller.  Serving as his eighth published novel, this gripping science fiction-horror thriller explores the terrifying consequences of rogue government secrecy and unchecked corporate greed. The narrative tracks Andy McGee and his young, green-eyed daughter, Charlie, as they desperately flee across the country from the Department of Scientific Intelligence, a sinister, clandestine agency known simply as "The Shop". Having inherited a lethal, uncontrollable gift of pyrokinesis due to a chemical hallucinogen experiment her parents volunteered for during college, Charlie finds herself hunted by agents determined to capture and weaponize her absolute destructive power. Blending high-octane governmental suspense with a poignant, deeply intimate examination of father-daughter devotion, the novel builds toward an explosive, fiery climax that has made it an enduring classic of modern speculative fiction. The true first trade edition was published in September 1980 by The Viking Press in a robust initial run of 100,000 copies. This copy meets all of the expectations of a genuine first printing including being bound in two-color paper boards—featuring black paper with a reddish-orange cloth spine wrap—stamped with a gilt embossed "SK" logo on the front cover. The copyright page explicitly states "First published in 1980 by The Viking Press," and shows the publisher's historic address at 625 Madison Avenue, and lacks any number line. The iconic pictorial dust jacket.by artist Steven Stroud displays the original $13.95 retail price on the front flap with  a "0980" date code on the bottom. Collectors should note that a highly prized, signed limited run of 725 copies issued by Phantasia Press actually serves as the true worldwide first printing, predating the Viking trade edition by several months. Description  Black paper boards with red canvas spine. “SK” to upper board in gilt and lettering to spine. Original dust jacket. Crisp, clean text block and very fine condition overall.