How Much Your Harry Potter Book Could Be Worth As One Is Set Sell For 30k
The edition is one of only 500 ever printed, making it one of the rarest copies in the world
A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will go up for auction soon and is expected to fetch £30,000.
The extremely rare hardback edition is one of the rarest copies in the world, as it is one of only 500 printed.
A private owner will be selling their copy which they have been in possession of since it was bought in 1997.
Chiswick Auctions will handle the sale on Thursday, January 27.
Only 200 copies of the book ended up in the hands of the public, with about 300 copies of JK Rowling book about the boy wizard being sent to schools and libraries when it was published in 1997.
According to AbeBooks, an online book marketplace specialising in rare books, hardcover first editions of the first Harry Potter book credit Joanne Rowling as opposed to JK and have a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.
The auction house is also selling a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and a signed copy of Newt Scamander: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – with both expected to fetch around £700.
US novelist Paul Gallico’s library also makes up part of the auction.
Gallico is acknowledged to have inspired JK Rowling’s fictional creatures, Boggarts.
In his 1968 book Manxmouse, there are creatures called Clutterbumphs that turn into what the viewer fears most – just like Boggarts.
What to look for
Harry Potter And The Half
Published in July 2005 to widespread Pottermania, J.K.’s days of book tours were long gone so very few signed copies of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince are on the market. A handful are available for prices up to $5,000. Copies signed by illustrator Mary GrandPré can be found for $250 or less. Deluxe first edition first printings can be picked up cheaply.
Ulysses By James Joyce
The first edition of James Joyces labyrinthine sophomore novel Ulysses sold at auction in 2009 for £275,000 , which was the highest price for a 20th-century novel recorded at the time. The book was well-preserved and was numbered 45 of the first 100 copies ever printed. It was also considered lost at one time, but it was originally purchased in a bookstore in New York City, despite it being banned for being obscene and salacious when first released in 1922. These are the most expensive books in the world.
Don’t Miss: Harry Potters Middle Name
Jk Rowling Harry Potter 1st Edition
Bloomsbury Publishing house released 500 Harry Potter 1st edition copies of the book in 1997, an estimated 300 of which would be sent to English libraries. Nigel Newton, Bloomsbury co-founder and chief executive said, I think the assumption in 1997 would have been that you would sell 500 hardcovers of any good book to public libraries so that edition would be aimed at them. The general edition for the market would be paperback. So, the most expensive Harry Potter 1st edition is the one of just 500 books published, intended almost exclusively for libraries.
Here is the current price pattern for a one-of-500 Harry Potter 1st edition copy:
Read Also: Which Harry Potter House Am I Pottermore
Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 1st Edition Hard Back
The second edition of Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire we present to you as one of the most valuable editions from the saga is worth more than twice the copy we mentioned before. It also represents a first edition, only this time, we’re talking about a Bloomsbury hardback, which in itself is even more beautiful.
Additionally, the copy is signed by JK Rowling, with an inscription that reads “To one of my favorites! J K Rowling “. You’d probably never guess something like this would actually be worth $8,604, but it definitely is! It’s also available for purchase on AbeBooks.
Recommended Reading: Harry Potter Related To Voldemort
How Much Is My Copy Of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Worth
Interestingly, first editions of the early version of Prisoner of Azkaban can be worth up to $12,000. This is due to a printing change on the copyright page the original run was credited to Joanne Rowling but stopped mid-print to be amended to JK Rowling. These Joanne versions are the most valuable as there are very few out there. Any later printing of Prisoner of Azkaban is unlikely to be so valuable, though the deluxe edition has been known to fetch over $4,000 if theyre a first edition.
As with the copies of Chamber of Secrets and Philosophers Stone, youll want to see Bloomsbury as the publisher and the printing line of 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page. If it has these elements, your Harry Potter books value could be in five figures!
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Signed 1st Edition
The second entry on this list refers to the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter And The Order of The Phoenix. It’s for sale at AbeBooks, and it currently comes with a hefty price tag of almost $6,000.
The copy is a first United Kingdom edition, first published in 2003, in hardback. In addition to its rarity as a first edition, this book also includes JK Rowling’s signature on the cover. Pretty neat!
Recommended Reading: What’s In Wideye Potion
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.
How To Tell If Your Harry Potter Books Are Worth Anything
Technically, all your Harry Potter books are worth something. However, the books value will be determined by the print you have. For example, if you have one of the first printed issues, you could sell it for thousands of dollars. It is not surprising that some copies of Harry Potter books are worth $50,000.
If you have a standard copy of the book, you can get some cash for it when you sell them. Often, most collectors are captured by the rags to riches story attached to the book during that time. Furthermore, there are so many copies of Rowlings book that it is difficult to find a rare Harry Potter book.
Book buying relies on supply and demand. Even though there is a request for first print books, the first print supply is low.
Read Also: Why Did Voldemort Look Like That
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
The initial hardcover print run was stopped mid-printing after it was discovered that Joanne Rowling rather than J.K. Rowling had been printed on the copyright page. Joanne versions are available for prices starting at around $1,500 and go up to $12,000 for signed pristine copies. First edition first printings will have the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and a block of misaligned text on page seven. Opinions about the number of copies printed before the errors were spotted vary greatly however, it seems that only a small number came off the press which greatly enhances its value. The deluxe editions, with green cloth, of 1999 are also collectible if they are a first edition . However, second printings can be picked up for three figures. Look out for Canadian first editions, published by Raincoast, for between $100 and $300. First American editions vary from $150 to $700 for a signed copy.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Cure For Boils Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
Hardcover first edition, first printings of the 1997 book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, have become the ‘Holy Grail’ for Potter collectors. If you find one in the attic, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Only 500 were published and 300 went to libraries. The main characteristics of a 1997 first edition first printing are a print line that reads “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” and the crediting of “Joanne Rowling” not J.K. Prices on AbeBooks vary from $40,000 to $55,000. A handful of advance proof copies are available from $7,500 to $13,500. Prices for Australian first editions vary between $200 and $2000. 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.
Don’t Miss: How Old Is Voldemort
How To Tell If You Have A First Edition Of The Chamber Of Secrets
Finding out whether your copy of book two is a first edition is much the same as with book one. Youre looking for Bloomsbury as the publisher and 1998 as the date, without any later date.
Additionally, the print line should once again read 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. However, this time there are no typos to signify a first edition. Your Harry Potter books value is higher than the top goal on a Quidditch pitch if it has all of these features.
What To Look For
Harry Potter books are still in print that means you can pick up a copy for £4 and you can buy all 7 of the classic books for less than £30 .
That means for your old books to be worth more than that they need to offer something a little bit different.
First editions especially of the first two books are worth at least £20 no matter what state theyre in and can be worth thousands and thousands of pounds.
A full collection of signed Harry Potter first editions will set you back more than £28,000 while the most paid at auction for a single JK Rowling book was a staggering £1.95million.
Bonhams sold a set of first editions of the Harry Potter books in 2005 for £14,400, and on two occasions in 2007 sold copies of The Philosophers Stone for £9,000, Matthew Haley, head of books at auction house Bonhams, told Mirror Money .
That first book in the series is worth hugely more than the subsequent volumes, and condition is everything. More recently first editions of the first book in fair condition have sold for around £4,000.
Obviously genuine signatures or even better inscriptions by JK Rowling can add tremendously to the value.
Other things to looks for are rarer versions of the books ones with different covers, illustrations, large print basically anything out of the ordinary thats no longer available.
You May Like: What Harry Potter House Am I In Buzzfeed
Surreylive Email Updates: We Bring The Stories To You
Signing up to the SurreyLive newsletter means youll receive our daily news email.
It couldnt be simpler and it takes seconds simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions.
You can also enter your address at the top of this page in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms.
Changed your mind? Theres an unsubscribe button at the bottom of every newsletter we send out.
These editions are more valuable among collectors. First edition printings of these have the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and theres a block of misaligned text on page seven.
You should also look out for original watercolour illustrations by Giles Greenfield, Bloomsburys UK edition. If an illustrator has signed a copy, this means it will go up in value.
First edition copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix signed by J.K. Rowling at the midnight launch event in Edinburgh are priced in four figures.
For Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, there are very few signed copies on the market, so they can also be worth thousands.
J.K. Rowling signed 1,700 peoples copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the launch at Londons Natural History Museum. The copies now have considerable value according to AbeBooks.
App Storefor iOS or
Read More
Harry Potter 1st Edition Sold For Almost $35000
We at NateDSanders.com can try to match the above auction sales prices, including $80,000, for you when you consign your Harry Potter 1st edition to us. We offer the highest reserves on a Harry Potter 1st edition in the industry. We can get those prices for you.
Here are some Harry Potter 1st Editions we have sold in the past:
Harry Potter Philosophers Stone 1st Printing Hardback
The most coveted book in the Harry Potter canon, the first edition, first printing hardback of J.K. Rowlings first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. This book is one of only 500 hardback copies published in the first printing, more scarce and collectible than the softcover published at the same time. Sold for $53,550.
J.K. Rowling Autograph in a Softcover Harry Potter First Edition, First Printing With PSA/DNA COA
J.K. Rowling Autograph in a Harry Potter Book Quidditch Through the Ages Extremely Scarce Signed
Scarce J.K. Rowling Autograph in Harry Potters Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them Only Signed Copy on Market
Consign your item at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your item to us at .
FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your item that is for sale, please email your description and photos to of Nate D. Sanders Auctions .
Don’t Miss: How Did Voldemort Get His Wand Back
There Are Three Other Things To Look For When Trying To Determine If You Have A Harry Potter First Edition
- Is there an old or young wizard pictured on the spine or the back of the book? The young Wizard is much rarer and therefore worth more money.
- On the title page of the book does it say Joanne Rowling instead of J.K Rowling? This was changed in later editions as it was felt the series would be great for encouraging boys to read but they might not want to read it if they thought it was written by a woman.
- Harrys equipment list for Hogwarts on page 53 there is a typo in very early editions the word wand is listed twice, once at the top and once at the bottom again this was changed in later editions once the error had been spotted.
Also, take a good look at the tagline on the front cover of the book. The earliest editions have a quote from Wendy Coolidge which reads A terrific read and stunning first novel. Then, later ones have a quote from the Telegraph. Later one again has a Smarties book prize quote.
How To Tell If You Have A First Edition Of The Philosophers Stone
It can be daunting to try and work out whether or not you have a first edition on your hands. However, for the fabled hardback first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, your book will need to meet the following criteria:
2. The copyright page lists no date later than 1997.
3. The copyright line must read 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. The smallest number indicates what edition your book is.
4. On page 53, there will be a typo. When looking at Harrys school supplies list, 1 wand will be accidentally printed twice, like so
If your book features all of the above, your copy of The Philosophers Stone is a first edition and is worth more than a few shillings.
Don’t Miss: Whats The 3rd Harry Potter Movie
How Much Is My Copy Of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone Worth
As you can imagine, the first book is the big one. First edition copies of this title are the holy grail of Harry Potter books and in turn, there are very few out there. According to AbeBooks, only 500 copies of the original 1997 hardback edition were published. Of those, the publishers sent 300 to libraries.
Prices tend to range between $40,000 55,000, though we recently reported that one of these first editions sold for a whopping $84,000 at an auction house. The higher end of sales will come from a hardback copy in excellent condition. As with all books in the series, having Rowlings autograph will greatly increase their value. For the US version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, youre unfortunately looking at a lot less cash. However, these can still fetch up to $6,500 which would certainly fill out the Gringotts vault quite nicely.
Related: âHarry Potterâ Movie Hits $1 Billion at the Box Office
What To Do If You Have A Harry Potter First Edition Set
If all the above applies and you really do have a Harry Potter First edition book there are a few things you might want to consider.
If youre no longer a Harry Potter fan and want to sell your copy there are several routes you could take depending on the edition and what it might be worth.
For a first edition Harry Potter Book with a later print run that may be worth a few hundred pounds eBay may be the easiest and most convenient way to sell.
If you think your copy may be worth thousands an independent valuation followed by an auction may the best way of ensuring you get the full value for your Harry Potter First edition.
Alternatively, you may want to keep your Harry Potter first edition either for sentimental reasons or because a few years down the line as copies become rarer it could be worth substantially more money than it is at the moment.
Also Check: Where Did Dumbledore Get The Resurrection Stone