HEARTS IN ATLANTIS - INSCRIBED TO WILLIAM GOLDMAN, TOGETHER WITH GOLDMAN'S EXTENSIVELY ANNOTATED COPY by King, Stephen - 1999

New York: Scribner, 1999. First Editions. The second book in a three-book deal made with Scribner's, involving a series of "interconnected, sequential narratives, set in the years from 1960 to 1999. Each story is deeply rooted in the sixties, and each is haunted by the Vietnam War" (from front flap). From the library of novelist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Goldman (1931-2018), best known for his 1973 novel The Princess Bride. His relationship to King dates back to the mid-1980's, when he adapted King's novel Misery for both the screen and stage. He would go on to write the screenplays for Hearts In Atlantis and Dreamcatcher, clearly drawn to King's work. King, likewise, was a mutual admirer, and while we have handled a good many volumes inscribed by King, we have seldom encountered any in which he is this fannish and effusive. An extraordinary pair of books, reflecting King's gratitude to the recipient, and Goldman's extensive interaction with the text. Brooks A70.1. First Printings. Two octavo volumes (24.25cm); black and bluish-gray paper-covered boards, with titles stamped in metallic red on spines; dustjackets; [10],11-523,[5]pp. The first copy is inscribed to author and screenwriter William Goldman on the front endpaper, three months after publication: "For Bill Goldman - I can't believe I'M signing a book for you. Holy shit. I hope you'll have fun working on this! Your #1 fan, Stephen King / 12/8/99." Base of spine gently nudged, a few dog-eared pages (presumably Goldman's, and left as-is), with some faint finger-soil to right edge of textblock; Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $28.00), lightly edgeworn, with some faint yellowing to extremities; Near Fine.

Offered together with Goldman's working copy of the novel, which he used during the process of writing the screenplay. The text is heavily marked-up in four types of ink, with hundreds of passages marked and underlined, and Goldman's holograph annotations in the margins. Modest overall wear, hand-soil to boards and text edges, with a few dog-eared pages, and some staining to upper edge of textblock; rubber-stamp from the author's estate on front endpaper; Very Good. Dustjacket is unclipped, with light wear to spine-ends, some yellowing and dust-soil, and a small stain and security decal on verso; Very Good+.