Main News Index

Seven years after its arrival in bookshops, the publishing phenomenon, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, is estimated to attract bids in the region of £1,000 - £1,500 at the next Bonhams Sale of Books, Maps and Manuscripts in Edinburgh on December 14.

This first edition, Lot 56, published in 1998, one of the Harry Potter series, has an inscription: "To Martin" signed by J.K.Rowling. When published its list price was £10.99 - which makes it a staggering increase and investment by any yardstick.

The book has the original paperboards, price unclipped dustwrapper, very slight rubbing to top corners of wrapper, slight creasing of 1st four leaves.

A spokesman for Bonhams Books Department in Scotland said: "This must represent one of the most amazing investments, a rattling good read and a financial appreciation of dizzying proportions."

It is however a modest price when compared to a first edition of the first Harry Potter book published in 1997 which has seen prices of £10,000 to £17,000 paid achieved.

Another item in this sale, which is attracting a great deal of attention, is Lot 57 Illustrations of the Manners and Customs of North American Indians with letters and notes in two volumes by George Catlin. Beautifully illustrated with 308 colour plates it is estimated to make £2,000 to £3,000 at the Bonhams auction.

Visit the WCN Harry Potter information pages and message boards.

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.