Signed First-Edition American “Harry Potter” Books Just Sold for over 25,000 US Dollars in Auction
Earlier this week, a full set of Harry Potter books sold to the highest bidder. This may not seem like a victory at first, seeing as nearly every child and young adult has a set of their own, but this particular batch didn’t sell for over $25,000 for no reason. The seven books are all American first editions, with the first four signed by J.K. Rowling herself!
This isn’t the first time a Harry Potter product has been sold for a small fortune. A Hogwarts acceptance letter prop from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sold for €30,000 in 2017. One of the most coveted items from the entire movie franchise is the Elder Wand. Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) and Daniel Radcliffe both used the Elder Wand prop during the production of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Consequently, it sold in 2013 for $10,100, doubling its estimated value. J.K. Rowling sold her handwritten first edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard at auction for £1.95 million (roughly $4 million). The projected value was initially $100,000.
Heritage Auctions started the auction at about $20 with a 48-hour timer. Within 12 hours, the total bidding amount reached over $13,000. Thirty-three people fought over the next day and a half to win all seven hardcover books, some people putting down thousands in a single bid. Within the final moments of the bidding war, the total amount for the books peaked and sold for $26,250. For that product, it’s money well spent. The lucky winner of the auction is currently accepting offers for the signed set.