Wednesday, April 17, 2024

What Are First Edition Harry Potter Books Worth

Don't Miss

Book Shop Has Extremely Rare Harry Potter Books Worth A Combined 107500

WHAT IS YOUR HARRY POTTER BOOK WORTH? FIRST EDITION vs FIRST PRINTING

The books are extremely rare, believed to be the only copies outside of the US, but they will set fans back a staggering£426 per page.

If you’ve dreamed of owning a Harry Potter first edition then now could be your chance, with the bookstore in the UK selling two now.

They claim to be the only shop in the UK offering the two extremely rare books, and whilst they’d make the perfect purchase for ultimate fans they will set you back a staggering £107,500.

St Mary’s Books in Stamford are selling an original paperback edition and hardback version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The books, penned by Edinburgh author JK Rowling, are an “incredibly rare find” and believed to be the only two on sale in the whole of the country – with the only other paperback available in the USA.

The first edition paperback released in 1997 for £4.99 now comes with a whopping £12,500 price tag.

Read More

And the hardback edition released at the same time but with only 500 copies printed is on sale for around £426 per page, with a price tag of £95,000.

The store bought the paperback book version at the end of February from a private seller who had kept it in pristine condition in a safe.

The much rarer hardback had been sent out to schools but also still remains in good condition despite being read by hundreds of schoolchildren throughout the years.

“So this is not the top price the books could actually be priced at.

‘harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’

“Hardcover first edition first printings of this 1997 book have become the ‘Holy Grail’ for Potter collectors Only 500 were published and 300 went to libraries. The main characteristics of a 1997 first edition first issue are a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of ‘Joanne Rowling,’ not JK. Prices on AbeBooks vary from $40,000 to $55,000. A handful of advance proof copies are available from $7,500 to $13,500.”

“The first editions of the deluxe edition from 1999 are also desirable with prices from $450 to $2,500. Paperback first editions of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ are also quite scarce and attract four-figure price-tags sometimes five figures if in excellent condition.”

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

UK release: 26/06/97 US release 9/01/98

The one that started it all, the original Harry Potter book was released in 1997 in the UK.

The main characteristics of a UK 1997 first edition first issue are a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.

Supposedly, youll find the crediting of Joanne Rowling, instead of JK at the front. However, thats not actually true, and all early printings of the title have the same copyright statement.

You can also take a look at the front cover, as the illustration changes depending on the publisher and the region. *Its worth noting that advanced proof copies are also available, although theyre not as collectible as a bonafide first edition copy. As always, hardcover versions are strongly preferred.

There were just 500 first edition hardcovers produced, while 300 were sent to schools and childrens libraries across the UK. This means that its especially rare if youre able to find a true original.

Because library books receive so much wear and tear there are likely to be fewer than 200 copies in potentially fine collectible condition, and these rarely appear on the market. The other binding was a regular paperback version of which a few thousand copies were produced for sale.

For the highest values, wed look to the hardcover edition, which is the best first edition Harry Potter book overall.

First editions for other languages are also fairly popular and can sell for a decent fee depending on the buyer, and the overall condition.

Read Also: How Many Publishers Rejected Harry Potter

How To Identify A Valuable Harry Potter Book

Want to know if your books are worth something? The website explains that the usual characteristic of a 1997 first edition Philosopher’s Stone print is a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of Joanne Rowling not J.K.

First editions of the deluxe Philosopher’s Stone from 1999 can also fetch a pretty penny from the right buyer.

Australian first editions of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets fetch around $400 to $820.

A first edition print of The Prisoner of Azkaban usually has a print line sequence of 10 to one, and a block of misaligned text on page seven.

Anything signed by the author is also worth more than what you would have paid for it brand new.

US first editions of the Chamber of Secrets will have the number line of ‘1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02’ on the copyright page along with “Printed in the U.S.A.23” and “First American edition, October 1998”.

Any first edition of The Goblet of Fire with a signature from J.K Rowling can fetch a four-figure price-tag. Look out for the limited editions with original watercolour illustrations by Giles Greenfield and Mary GrandPre .

You might also like:

Condition Of Your Harry Potter Book

First edition

Last but not least, you need to understand that the condition of your Harry Potter book is playing a major role in its value. If your Harry Potter book is in mint condition, you have the chance to sell it at a high price tag. However, you can often see how the first edition books are tattered and worn. You will not be able to go through those books with ease. In such a situation, the overall value associated with the book would drop. Therefore, all the Harry Potter book owners should keep the fact in their minds. Then you can determine the overall value associated with the book.

Don’t Miss: Jk Rowling Rejected By 12 Publishers

Whats The Rarest Book In The World

When you look at every other book that is one-of-a-kind, and you factor in how sought after this one is, its safe to say that Codex Leicester is the most rarest book in the world. It was last sold at an auction in 1994 to Bill Gates for $30.8 million, which is nearly $51 million in todays currency.

Order Of The Pheonix Half

If you have a copy of Order of the Pheonix signed by Rowling at the initial launch event in Edinburgh, Scotland, youre looking at a four-figure sum. Copies signed by the books illustrators may be valuable, but youre probably looking in the hundreds rather than the thousands.

As for Half-Blood Prince, youll again need JK Rowlings signature for the book to be worth anything. This book came out when the Harry Potter series was at peak popularity, so its difficult to find any collectors items in the later books.

Unsurprisingly, its the same deal with Deathly Hallows. Without Rowlings signature, its just another Harry Potter book. With it, your humble Harry Potter books value could be four-figures.

So thats how to tell if your Harry Potter book is potentially worth more than a few galleons. Maybe youll find a valuable item hiding in the cupboard under the stairs! Best of luck, Potter fans.

Do you have a valuable Harry Potter book? Let us know in the comments below.

Read Also: Why Does Voldemort Look Like That

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Signed 1st Edition

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban has already been featured on this list, but definitely not with this price tag! This time around, we’re talking about a first edition that is both a hardcopy and is signed by the author.

The book is currently being sold by Quintessential Rare Books for $15,000. If you’re a hardcore fan, we suggest you keep saving to get this one!

The Best Of The Rest First Edition Harry Potter Books

Harry Potter First Edition Books Worth | Do you Have One? Look Here

A hardcover first edition of Harry Potter and The Chamber Secrets will often sell for thousands of pounds.

Copies of The Prisoner of Azkaban with Joanne on the copyright page instead of J.K can be worth up to £1000. A well looked after first edition copy of this book can usually be worth a few hundred pounds.

Any book signed by J.K Rowing will have a much higher value even if it isnt an early edition or part of Harry Potter First edition set.

Be aware of eBayers and charity shops claiming these books are worth more than they actually are.

You May Like: Will There Be A Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Movie

How Much Is My Copy Of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets Worth

You might think that The Philosophers Stones smash success meant that copies of The Chamber of Secrets arent valuable. Well, while they arent as pricey as the latter, hard copy first editions can still fetch up to $9,000. Additionally, the deluxe edition can also be worth thousands if signed.

As mentioned, Rowling and the series hadnt quite hit international fame at this point, so your odds of securing a signed copy are still pretty good.

Related: J.K. Rowling confirms the end of Harry Potter: âI think weâre doneâ

People Will Pay Crazy Money Just Because It Says ‘joanne Rowling’ Instead Of ‘jk Rowling’

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

An entire generation of book lovers are likely to have well-thumbed Harry Potter books lurking in cardboard boxes at their parents houses… and some of them could prove to be goldmines.

Online book marketplace AbeBooks, which specialises in rare books, has detailed exactly which editions are worth a good deal more than their cost price – ranging from £200 to over £50,000.

Recent examples of successful finds include the forthcoming auction of a “pristine” first-edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which is one of just 500 hardback copies printed in 1997 300 of which were sent to schools and children’s libraries.

The book, which was kept by a pair of retired civil servants in a code-locked briefcase, is expected to fetch up to £30,000 at auction this week.

Don’t Miss: Who Is Draco Malfoy’s Mom

Ready To Change Up Your Finances

Whether youre new to frugal living or want to make some extra cash from the comfortof your home Im here to help

Savvy in Somerset is an award winning Personal Finance blog written by Fiona Hawkes that covers all things money saving, money making and getting the most out of the cash you have.

From saving on household bills and reducing food waste to finding the best deals on luxury holidays and getting passionate about slow fashion Savvy in Somerset encourages readers to think more positively when it comes to their finances.

Harry Potter 1st Edition Collectors Guide: The Author

Is my Harry Potter book valuable? How to tell if your copy ...

JK Rowling is probably the most likely person to ruin the cash cow that is Harry Potter. Whatever her personal politics actually are, her comments on gender issues have been widely criticized, and make the news infrequently. For example, heres one of many tweets from the author which focuses on sex and gender

If sex isnt real, theres no same-sex attraction. If sex isnt real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It doesnt hate to speak the truth.

Its a far cry from the warm wizarding world she invented, and its clearly a personal cause for the author. After a number of spats on social media, even Harry Potter himself waded in, to distance the franchise from her comments

Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.

Warner Bros. stepped in, hoping to end the matter with a statement

In other words, theyre not too bothered, as long as the money continues to roll in.

Consider the movies they produced, which helped to solidify HPs current status as one of the biggest IPs in the world. Harry Potter still has enormous value, as long as the creator manages to keep her options to herself.

Also Check: How Much Money Did Jk Rowling Make From Harry Potter

Harry Potter First Editions Are They Valuable

Gen X and Millennials love their books and toys, but dont we all? My generation loves their Barbies and G. I. Joes. The 70s and 80s collectibles of Star Wars toys are also setting records. My nieces fell in love with Harry Potter books when their grandmother bought them the first American printing of J. K. Rowlings, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in October 1998. Each new release MeMe bought them the new book. That American first printing of The Sorcerers Stone is now worth about $6500 .

I happen to have a client who has a US first printing of this fourth book for sale for $150. Let me know if you are interested.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

If either illustrator has signed a copy, then prices are again in four-figures. Many buyers are also looking for books accompanied by items such as entrance wristbands or golden tickets from events where J.K. Rowling has conducted a signing. After the Goblet of Fire, these signing events have become increasingly scarce.

Recommended Reading: What Color Hair Does Harry Potter Have

Nearly Headless Nicks Age

In the original of the Chamber of Secrets , confusion has arisen regarding the age of Nearly Headless Nick as a ghost anyway, and in the book Nick invites Harry to his 500th party in honor of the Day of death.

However, in Philosophers Stone , the ghostly keeper claimed that he had not eaten for nearly 400 years, implying that he had been deceased for so long. This is a century-old discrepancy in his age! This mistake was eventually corrected, although, as in later editions of the first book, almost 400 years was changed to almost 500 years.

How To Tell If You Have A Harry Potter First Edition Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

Rare, First Edition Harry Potter Book Bought For $1 At Yard Sale Could Be Worth $37,000

As Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone is the first in series, first editions of this are worth the most so this is what well look at first.

The most important thing to look at when trying to ascertain whether or not you have a Harry Potter First Edition is what Print Run it is. As a first edition, it should count down 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. The earlier the print run, the more its worth. The very early first editions are all hardback editions designed for libraries and initially, there were just 500 released and therefore these can be worth a heck of a lot of money.

There are not many of these editions left making them extremely rare, however, even second and third editions of these copies are worth a fair bit of money.

Don’t Miss: Why Did Voldemort Want The Prophecy

The Rare Harry Potter Book Signed By Jk Rowling Sold For More Than Rs 82 Lakhs At An Auction However The Book Originally Costs Around Rs 30 Lakhs

The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Book sold for £80,000, a little more than Rs. 82 lakh, four times its estimated price at an auction. The rare Harry Potter book is one among the only 500 hardcover copies belonging to the first edition of the 7-part boy wizard series that were signed by author JK Rowling. Originally, the book was expected to go for Rs. 20 lakhs to 30 lakhs, but eventually sold for such a high price. The book was auctioned at The Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn in North Yorkshire, UK.

Is My Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone Book Worth Anything

Technically, all Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone books are worth something. However, that value will be determined by what print you have.

For example, if you have one of the first printed issues, you could sell it for a large sum. If you have a standard copy, youll be able to sell it for some cash.

Collectors are often captured by the rags-to-riches story and just another kids book that was attached to the book at the time. Also, Rowlings books sell so many copies now that theyre unlikely to be rare.

Book buying works on supply and demand while theres a demand for first print Harry Potter books, first print supply is low. A large percentage of 120 million Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone books sold will be standard copies, so prices wont be as high.

Recommended Reading: What’s In The Cure For Boils

Most Valuable Harry Potter Books

HARRY POTTER BOOK
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone $35,000 to $55,000
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone $4,000 to $6,500
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Up to $9,000
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban $1,500 to $12,000
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire $200 to $10,000+
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix $200 to $1,000+
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince < $250 up to $5,000
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows < $250 up to $5,000 First edition

Did You Know? Star Wars books can be valuable, too some are worth thousands! Learn more
  • The Tales of Beetle the Bard, a handwritten and illustrated , signed manuscript originally published in just seven handmade copies one of which in 1997
  • Two short stories, penned by Rowling, titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through The Ages, are sold in signed box sets that sell between $1,000 and $4,500
  • A first edition hardcover set complete with original cover artist illustrations and placed in a wooden box sold for $52,249 at auction
  • A special edition of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone annotated, illustrated, and signed by J.K. Rowling sold for $227,421 at auction
  • Second editions and subsequent editions
  • Book club editions

More articles

Popular Articles