Sotheby's to Display Copy of "Beedle the Bard" Here in US
J.K. Rowling
Posted by: Sue
November 20, 2007, 07:21 PM
Auction house Sotheby’s put the copy of “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” out on display today for the press. The book will then go on display to the public here in the US at Sotheby’s in New York City starting Monday, November 26 at 10am (ET) then again on Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday November 28. Bloomberg.com reports that keen interest in obtaining this unique handwritten book by author J.K. Rowling will result in a “record 50,000 pounds ($103,000) at a Dec. 13 London charity auction J.K. Rowling’s commercial success adds value to the manuscript,’’ Sotheby’s book specialist Philip Errington said in an interview. ``It makes it more desirable.’‘
The website noted how rare it is for unpublished manuscripts by living authors to go up for auction, and it is hard to value what these pieces will sell for. They cite previous auctions of works by J.K. Rowling, including one that we at TLC were involved in for our first Get a Clue charity drive, the handwritten note card with words from “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” which sold for “28,680 pounds in 2002.” The article continues to state that the “other six copies of the fairy tale may come onto the market ``at some point, but this is the first,’’ Errington said.” JKR created seven copies of “Beedle the Bard” in all, giving these other copies to friends as a thank you gift for all the years of support during her writing of the Harry Potter series.Proceeds from this auction will benefit The Children’s Voice Charity.
You can see some photos of the book from today, here courtesy of Reuters, as well as early photos here in our galleries, with more on the auction, here.
27 Comments
bbdb: I don’t think Jo will add more stories, and they are long enough to make into a book by themselves, as I don’t think Jo will want to dilute the uniqueness of the original 7 by doing another handwritten and hand illustrated edition, but I do think the stories might be part of the encyclopedia.
Posted by roonwit on November 20, 2007, 05:22 PM
Wow… that is BEAUTIFUL! Hmmm… I’m not that far from NY, maybe a roadtrip is in order? What a shame it’s not going to be on display over the holiday weekend (Thanksgiving). Then I’d really think about it.
I love the idea about a print version (of the hand-written pages) with an intro by Herms being sold to the public. How awesome! (Bloomsburry? Scholastic? are you listening???)
Posted by Beth on November 20, 2007, 05:34 PM
Oh yum!! I could devour that book in a millisecond. I’m sure it will go for more than $103,000. Only people with a fat wallet can afford it- like JK Rowling. Oh wait…
Posted by Mrs. dMP on November 20, 2007, 05:42 PM
Think you are right, roonwit, about JKR not writing more stories (unless moved to do so). And that leads me to lean toward a photostatic copy of her handwritten version (i know that’s not the right word, but for some reason i can’t dredge the right one from memory). we’ll see, but i do think common sense indicates we’ll have a mass ‘proceeds to charity’ edition available soon.
Posted by budb on November 20, 2007, 05:45 PM
When I first heard about the book I thought it looked different, with more stones. But it’s nice. What a beautiful, rare gift, and how generous, to handwrite it, for a few people. I am sure these books will be worth a lot. And they are so special because they have that “aura of authenticity” about them that printed books and photographs partially lose… So transporting…
Surely one day we’ll get to read those stories. Enough teasing of the fans! But for now, the rarity ensures that the book will fetch a lot of money, I hope, for a good cause.
Posted by Daniela on November 20, 2007, 05:51 PM
I thought that it had moonstones on it. From the pictures I couldn’t see any. Oh well, it’s not like I’ll ever get to see it in person anyway! I just hope that someday I can read the full text and see Jo’s drawings. That will be very exciting.
Posted by elven_princess on November 20, 2007, 06:56 PM
just so happens in in NYC that week=]]
Posted by nina on November 20, 2007, 07:18 PM
That would be SO awesome to see (well, to own, too, but let’s not get carried away here haha). Unfortunately, I’m in Illinois and have absolutely NO money to get there.
Like others said, I think they’ll be mass produced sometime in the future. For now, though, let’s be glad that the money is going to such a good cause.
Posted by Crystal on November 20, 2007, 08:57 PM
It would be great if leaky, mugglenet and other sites could do a charity drive thing like the get a clue drive all together. But then it might cause conflict with who would keep it and if it could be told on the net.
Posted by meera on November 21, 2007, 09:22 AM
ooo forgot to ask your thoughts on whether you think either dan, emma or rupert will bid for it?
Posted by meera on November 21, 2007, 09:23 AM
I just thought: will they be as short as teh story that was read in Deathly Hallows? That was only a few paragraphs…Maybe she’ll add things to them?
someone try to write a fanfic about it yet?
Posted by kev on November 21, 2007, 10:28 PM
I want to go see it, but I’m a little intimidated about going to an auction house. And I’m also wondering about the line. Oh, well. I guess I’ll find out when I get there!
Ah, the advantages to living in New York City!
Posted by Christy on November 22, 2007, 12:08 AM
bbdb: I don’t think Jo will add more stories, and they are long enough to make into a book by themselves, as I don’t think Jo will want to dilute the uniqueness of the original 7 by doing another handwritten and hand illustrated edition, but I do think the stories might be part of the encyclopedia.