NY, New American Library, (1984). The first hardcover book by Stephen King under the Bachman pseudonym, after four paperback originals, and the last book he published under that name before it became known that Bachman was really King. King said at the time of the "outing" that his publisher had limited him to one book a year, and using the Bachman pseudonym allowed him to double that output. Indeed, when the first Bachman books were published, in 1977 and 1979, King was little-known and his sales were modest at best, suggesting the truth of his claim that they were a way to bolster his income. After 1980, King's books began to be automatic bestsellers, and their first printings went from the 20,000 copies for Salem's Lot in 1978 to 270,000 copies for Christine in 1983. By contrast, Thinner, by the still relatively unknown "Bachman," had a first printing of 26,000 copies. Bookplate of another author on the front flyleaf. A couple tiny corner creases to inner pages: a small production flaw; small loss to gilt of spine lettering and a small department store price sticker to the lower front flap: very near fine in a fine dust jacket. With the added "Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman" wraparound band, and scarce thus. [#030327] SOLD