03 February 2003

Development charity ActionAid and the BBC’s Children in Need to benefit from Potter first editions

Author JK Rowling has given her personal support to an auction of three rare Harry Potter first editions, which are expected to raise thousands of pounds for the charities ActionAid and Children in Need.

Ms Rowling is sending a signed first edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to add to another two Harry Potter first editions to be auctioned by auctioneers Woolley & Wallis on 12 February. She is also sending signed stickers to insert into the other volumes – which could potentially double their value.

Author of ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’, top broadcaster and ActionAid supporter Simon Singh donated first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The donation has allowed ActionAid and Children in Need to capitalise on the craze for all things Harry Potter.

Bill Hoade, the auction house’s book specialist, is jubilant at the sale and the added support of JK Rowling’s donation and signature. "To be entrusted with one Harry Potter first edition to sell is unusual enough, but to have three in the same sale and to be offering them for charity is a coup," says Bill.

Copies of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone are particularly sought after. Only 300 copies of the first edition were printed. Most were destined for school libraries and consequently received heavy wear and tear. Unmarked copies such as the one for sale are therefore very rare and even more valuable.

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone is conservatively estimated to raise £8000 - £10000. Recent unsigned first edition sales have fetched up to £13,500! The addition of JK Rowling’s sticker is expected to add up to £5,000 to the final price - meaning that this particular book could fetch up to £20,000.

ActionAid is hoping that it will receive £11,000 from the auction of the three books – an amount that could help 22 Ghanaian street children learn life-long employable skills.

Shanthi Ayres, ActionAid’s Major Donor Manager, says, "We are delighted that JK Rowling has lent her personal support to raising more cash for ActionAid. The sale of these books will provide valuable funds for our work in the fight against global poverty."