| EmmaRiddle | 03-16-2008 01:17 PM |
Multiple Harry Potter lots up for auction (UPDATED)
The Telegraph reports that an auction that will take place on March 19th at Christie's, in London, England, features many Harry Potter lots, from the books themselves (in the Fine Printed Books sale) to items belonging to J.K.Rowling's old nanny.
Lots include; a first edition Philosopher's Stone with a signed publisher's slip (which is expected to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000), a first edition presentation copy of Goblet of Fire (expected to go for between £500 and £800), a signed collector's edition of Sorceror's Stone (with an estimate sale price of between £700 to £1,000) and a signed first edition Goblet of Fire accompanied with a gold ticket to the Harrod’s event at which Rowling signed the book and a flyer for it (expected to go for between £300 to £500). Quote:
The Potter books have proved an introduction to collecting for a whole new audiences, says Crispin Jackson of Christie's.
"Harry Potter is valuable because he is popular. People buy the books because they like them, and they will hold their value. With care, their value will increase in time."
| With regard to the lots referred to as 'The Property of a Lady', items given by Rowling to her nanny, Jackson said, Quote:
"Ordinarily, flat inscriptions, that is, [a book] that simply bears the author's signature, do better at auction and for re-sale. However, if a personal inscription marks a particular date or is to a person that is significant to the author, there is a story behind it and it can add value to the book."
| Quote:
Says Jackson: "Some critically acclaimed authors don't do very well at auction. They’re just not valued by collectors. It’s the beloved authors who do best."
| UPDATE: The lots have now been sold and Bloomberg have the results. In total the 20 items fetched £36,560! Quote:
Pom Harrington of London book dealer Peter Harrington purchased 13 of the 20 lots, including the boxed set, whose books Rowling had inscribed ``to Jack,'' the name of the nanny's son.
``I bought it for an American client whose son is called Jack,'' Harrington said in an interview.
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