Sotheby’s to Auction First Editions

Jun 06, 2003

Posted by: Melissa Anelli

Books

Sotheby’s has announced intentions to auction more first-edition Potters. The details as they provide them are:

455 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Bloomsbury, 1997
8vo, FIRST EDITION, original pictorial boards, erased ownership marks on front paste-down, head and foot of spine bumped, corners slightly chipped, publisher’s binding faults

There are two raised lines on the upper cover, one on the spine and one on the lower cover. These faults were created at the time of binding. There were only 500 copies printed of the first edition of this first title in the series.

£3,000-4,000
EU$4,250-5,700

456 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Bloomsbury, 1997

8vo, FIRST EDITION, original pictorial boards, extremities of binding chipped and bumped

£2,000-3,000
EU$2,850-4,250

457 Rowling, J.K. Four first deluxe edition Harry Potter volumes. Bloomsbury, 1999-2000

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. 1999; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 1999; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 1999; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 2000; all 8vo, FIRST DE-LUXE EDITIONS, original red, blue, green or purple cloth gilt with laid-down illustration, gilt edges, slightly bumped at head and foot of spines, occasional wear (4)

£2,000-3,000
EU$2,850-4,250

458 Rowling, J.K. First two Harry Potter titles from first deluxe edition, signed by the author. Bloomsbury, 1999

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. 1999; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 1999; both 8vo, FIRST DE-LUXE EDITIONS, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on title-pages, original red or blue cloth gilt with laid-down illustration, gilt edges, bumped at head and foot of spines, occasional wear, some leaves creased in second volume (2)

£2,000-3,000
EU$2,850-4,250

459 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Bloomsbury, 1997

8vo, FIRST EDITION, original pictorial boards, dust-jacket, head and foot of spine slightly bumped

£500-700
EU$700-1,000

460 Rowling, J.K. Two uncorrected proof copies. Bloomsbury, 1998-1999

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 1998, original printed wrappers in white, black and blue; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 1999, original printed wrappers in white, black and green; both 8vo, minor soiling to wrappers

£1,500-2,000
EU$2,150-2,850

461 [Rowling, J.K.] Two promotional posters for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. [1999]

Wright, Cliff. Bloomsbury promotional poster featuring Cliff Wright illustration, 595 by 400mm., adhesive tape on reverse–GrandPré, Mary. Scholastic promotional poster featuring Mary GrandPré illustration and ”Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts September 8, 1999!”, 608 by 455mm.; BOTH SIGNED BY J.K. ROWLING, framed and glazed, some creases and tears, folded in frames (2)

# £600-800
EU$850-1,150

(Yeah, they say that’s how much they’re going for. We all know better!)

A catalogue should be available at Sothbeys.com soon. The auction, in the English Literature, History, Fine Bindings, Private Press Books, Children’s Books, Illustrated Books and Drawings division, will take place on July 10, during Session 2, starting at 2:30pm. And don’t look at us, we’re not biddin’.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.