First edition Harry Potter to cross the block in London
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 | 11:39 AM ET
CBC Arts
Related
As Harry Potter fans worldwide gear up for this summer's release of the seventh and final book, British auction house Bonhams is getting set to sell a rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Between 500 and 1,000 first-edition copies of British author J.K. Rowling's debut title about the boy wizard were published in 1997.
This first-edition copy of J.K. Rowling's debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will be auctioned by Bonhams on June 26.
(Matt Dunham/Associated Press)
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers will sell one of those first editions in a London auction on June 26 — about a month before Rowling publishes the finale to her monumentally successful youth series.
Auction officials estimate the book will sell for between £5,000 and £7,000 (about $10,600 Cdn and $14,800 Cdn).
In the past, first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone have fetched more than £10,000 (about $21,000 Cdn).
The Bonhams sale of printed books, maps, manuscripts and photography will also see letters penned by J.M. Barrie, documents that belonged to Winston Churchill, and archival botanical prints, illustrations and atlases cross the block.
Potter mania: global publishing success story
Daniel Radcliffe is recognized worldwide for his star turn as boy wizard Harry Potter in the film series based on J.K. Rowling's hit book series.
(Murray Close/Warner Bros./Associated Press)
In the past decade, Rowling's Harry Potter books have become one of the publishing world's biggest success stories, selling more than 325 million copies worldwide.
Books in the coming-of-age series have also been translated into more than 60 languages, and have inspired a hit movie franchise that has made teen actor Daniel Radcliffe, who portrays the titular wizard, an international star.
Last week, plans were also announced for a Harry Potter theme park in Florida.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will hit bookstores July 21. The fifth film instalment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, also debuts in theatres in July.
Share Tools
Whitney Houston's final song Celebrate debuts by Jessica Wong May. 23, 2012 2:46 PM It seems fitting that Whitney Houston's final release is an upbeat and uplifting duet in which she passes the torch to a younger singer with vocal powerhouse potential. In the high energy song Celebrate, from the upcoming film Sparkle, Houston duets with singer and former American Idol Jordin Sparks.
Top News Headlines
- Canadian Pacific Railway strike leads to 2,000 layoffs
- The Canadian Pacific Railway strike means more than 2,000 non-striking unionized CP employees will be laid off, a spokesman for the company said Wednesday, as the federal labour minister said she may force an end to the work stoppage. more »
- Canadian Everest victim warned by guide to turn back
- A Toronto woman who died on Mount Everest did not heed warnings for her to turn back, according to the Nepalese tour company who organized her expedition. more »
- Tuition talks to resume between Quebec minister, students
- Student leaders say a compromise over the tuition crisis is within reach, but Quebec is firm that its emergency protest law will not be part of new talks. more »
- Finley expected to detail EI changes Thursday
- Human Resources Minister Diane Finley is expected to put an end to speculation about the government's plans to change employment insurance on Thursday when she holds a news conference. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Security breach alleged in making of bin Laden raid film
- A House committee chairman charged Wednesday in Washington that the CIA and Defence Department jeopardized national security by co-operating too closely with filmmakers producing a movie on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. more »
- Tom Wesselmann celebrated in new Montreal exhibit
- With Beyond Pop Art: Tom Wesselmann, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is trying to give the reserved, modest American art icon the attention he deserves. more »
- Mario Bros. creator gets Spain's Asturias Award
- Japan's Shigeru Miyamoto, considered the father of the modern video game, has been awarded Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities. more »
- David Cronenberg exhibit planned at TIFF
- With Canadian director David Cronenberg drawing attention at Cannes with the upcoming release of Cosmopolis, the TIFF Group is getting ready to celebrate his film career with a new exhibition. more »
Q Blog
Stephen Merchant stands up for himself May. 23, 2012 4:44 PM The comic best known for collaborating with Ricky Gervais on hit TV shows "The Office" and "Extras," talks to Jian about recently returning to his stand-up comedy roots, whether there are taboos in comedy, and more.
CBC Books
The problem with modern motherhood May. 23, 2012 5:26 PM French writer Elisabeth Badinter has written a controversial new book about modern motherhood. It in she argues that parenting methods like attachment parenting undermine women. She explains why to Day 6.
- Canadian climber describes Everest as 'a morgue'
- Mom can't leave Canada with children, or stay either
- Canadian Pacific Railway strike leads to 2,000 layoffs
- Shareholders sue Facebook over botched IPO
- Massive Montreal rally ends with police clashes
- 'Save me' last words of Mount Everest climber
- Bear drags Winnipeg man from camp outhouse
- Atlantic City stabbing victims identified
- 15 ways to use a 450-page federal budget bill
