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Harry Potter Prequel Sells for 25,000 Pounds at Charity Auction, Video of Excerpt Now Online

Books
Posted by: Sue
June 10, 2008, 04:45 PM

Early reports are starting to surface tonight from the charity auction at Waterstone’s, featuring the special card from author J.K. Rowling. A new 800 word prequel to the Harry Potter series sold tonight for 25,000 pounds ($48,855) reports Bloomberg.com. The article continues to note the “buyer was an absentee bidder. More than 100 guests attended the invitation-only event, called ``What’s Your Story?’’ and run by Sotheby’s auctioneer Edward Rising at the Waterstone’s branch in Piccadilly.” “ UPDATE: As reported previously, one of 13 cards donated for this charity event in London, England, AFP now has more on the prequel involving two of our favorite Marauders set 3 years before Harry was born. The article reports that the prequel story involves Sirius Black and James Potter who “are confronted by two policemen after a high-speed motorcycle chase, and evade the authorities using their broomsticks and magic.” ( Editor’s Note: A motorcycle! No word if that is indeed the motorcycle of later flying legend, but very exciting business indeed) J.K. Rowling is also quoted in the article as saying “I had great fun writing the card and I’m absolutely delighted that it has raised 25,000 pounds for two such worthy causes.” UPDATE 2 Lizo, now from BBC, has a new video report online, where he reads an excerpt of the prequel whichyou can watch via this link. In the excerpt, we hear a bit on James and Sirius as they are confronted by the two police officers in front of a dark alley. UPDATE 3: The video is now available here in our galleries.

We are working to find out more about the events at the auction, including the contents of the card,which will be placed online tomorrow for all fans to read via this link to Waterstone’s. This prequel will also be part of a book that will be published August 7th containing all 13 of the cards, proceeds to benefit charities English Pen and Dyslexia Action. You can pre- order this book from Waterstones (who will ship internationally) via this link. Stay tuned!

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Comments (48) | Average 3.3 (171 votes) Browse all Recent Books News
1  2  3 
Jess

Yay! That’s really good. I think I was expecting it would sell for more but because the event was invitation only… anyway it is still really good. I can’t wait to read it!

Posted by Jess on June 10, 2008 @ 04:55 PM
moose

I’m surprised it didn’t go for higher. It would have been good for the charities at least. Still, that’s a lot of money.

Posted by moose on June 10, 2008 @ 04:56 PM
will

thats quite alot haha

Posted by will on June 10, 2008 @ 04:56 PM
Jane Says

Well, that’s more than I make in a year …

Posted by Jane Says on June 10, 2008 @ 04:57 PM
TarsieS

Huh! I just may have made first for once! I personally connot wait to read this tomorrow. Hope the link will work from my work computer. (Crossing fingers)

Hurray, Marauders!

Posted by TarsieS on June 10, 2008 @ 04:59 PM
Kevin (I love SUE)

Holy crap! 25,000 for 800 words!?

that’s 31.25 pounds (about $60) a WORD!

Posted by Kevin (I love SUE) on June 10, 2008 @ 04:59 PM
Ian

Personally I thought It’d be more than that but then again its only 1 card…

Posted by Ian on June 10, 2008 @ 05:00 PM
Becca

I thought it’d be more than that too! But they’ll make a lot more from the books =)

TLC does anyone know if Jo was there? Please say no please say no!

Posted by Becca on June 10, 2008 @ 05:06 PM
Khelley

Wow, I’m glad it made that much all the better fr charity help wish i had the money to buy it :( lol

Posted by Khelley on June 10, 2008 @ 05:07 PM
Spencer

Thats great! I thought it would go for a lot more though I’m a little disappointed.

Posted by Spencer on June 10, 2008 @ 05:19 PM
MuggleQueen

WOAH that is a lot of money!! I’m sure it is worth every penny though.

Can’t wait to read it tomorrow xD

Posted by MuggleQueen on June 10, 2008 @ 05:25 PM
roonwit

I suspect we all expected it to go for more after Beedle The Bard, but it does depend who was there to bid on the night and whether more than one bidder wanted it. But I would imagine that it will earn more than that from the sale of the postcard sets.

Posted by roonwit on June 10, 2008 @ 05:31 PM
Witchchylde

Drumsticks? Holy moley, was Sirius really Stubby Boardman after all?

Posted by Witchchylde on June 10, 2008 @ 05:33 PM
Linny

That’s rather a lot of money! Even if people were expecting it to go for more- it’s nowhere near as precious as the fairytales because this will be released to the public.

I wonder who bought it :)

Posted by Linny on June 10, 2008 @ 06:01 PM
Amy S

IMO this shows just how much pottermania has died over the last few months. If she’d done this right after Book 7 I guarentee you there would be mass hysteria and the card would have sold for waaaaay more. But still, $50k for charities is an amazing thing.

Posted by Amy S on June 10, 2008 @ 06:04 PM
Christine

WHOO! How friggen awesome! ;)

Posted by Christine on June 10, 2008 @ 06:05 PM
phil

I really hope jo goes into more detail of the old order of the pheonix and the anventures of the marauders. That would be awesome to read in the future!

Posted by phil on June 10, 2008 @ 06:06 PM
Lionpaws

A police chase? Lol I can’t wait to read it, I bet it’s hilarious! I’m so happy it raised so much money for the charities.

Posted by Lionpaws on June 10, 2008 @ 06:08 PM
amanda

i wonder how the 13 cards will be published in august. will it be in a book or something and have illustratins and a fancy cover

Posted by amanda on June 10, 2008 @ 06:12 PM
helgahufflepimp

So excited to read it!

Posted by helgahufflepimp on June 10, 2008 @ 06:28 PM
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