Several Harry Potter book editions are valuable, and the rarest of them all commands a hefty price tag. Here, we detail how to find out how much your Harry Potter book is worth. Show
From movies and books to toys, games, and even clothing, Harry Potter and his wizarding world seem ubiquitous these days. But did you know some original Harry Potter books are so rare they can command staggering prices from collectors and auctions? In fact, several collectible editions are worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Here’s how to tell if your Harry Potter books are valuable. Most valuable Harry Potter booksHere are some of the most valuable books in the Harry Potter series; note that all are “true” first editions, which we’ll cover below.
Source: Mugglenet Did You Know? Star Wars books can be valuable, too – some are worth thousands! Learn more In addition, several spinoffs and other Harry Potter-related items have sold for large sums. They include:
If these values have you scrambling to cash in, don’t raid your bookshelf just yet. Each is an example of a rare Harry Potter book, and there are many editions that are worth little, if any, beyond their cover prices. In fact, most Harry Potter books are not valuable. Those that typically carry little value include:
Harry Potter book not worth much? Many phones are worth $100+. Find the value of your phone.Is your Harry Potter book valuable?So, how can you tell whether your Harry Potter book is valuable? Here are some tips: First edition, first printing, first state Despite their names, first editions and first printings are not the same thing. A first edition encompasses all the printings run under the same typesetting, while a first printing is the first printed run under that typesetting. You can tell whether your Harry Potter book is a first edition, first printing by the printer’s key found on the copyright page. This is what a printer’s key looks like: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The lowest number indicates what printing it is; so, in this example, the printer’s key tells us the book is a first printing. The first edition is likewise easy to tell, since both UK and US publishers indicate it with the words “First Edition” on the copyright page. When you have a first edition, first printing book it’s commonly referred to as a “1/1” copy. There is one additional consideration to make: the “state” of the book. A book might have multiple states if a change was made during the first printing. For example, the dust jacket of a book might be changed midway through the first printing. The 1/1 copy with the original dust jacket would be considered the first state. Not every book has multiple states; it’s entirely dependent on whether changes were made mid-run. Finding out whether a particular book is first state often requires a bit of research, though in the case of Harry Potter books that information is relatively easy to find online, and mostly relevant to just the most valuable copies (which we’ll cover shortly). The most important takeaway is that the most valuable Harry Potter books are first editions, first printings, first states – which can be summed up in the world of book collecting as “true first editions.” Autographs J.K. Rowling’s autograph on your Harry Potter book instantly adds value, but how much value largely depends on the book edition. The author signed many more copies of early books in the series than later books. Beginning with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, autographed copies are accompanied by a holographic sticker that certifies authenticity. In addition, illustrator signatures can add significant value to Harry Potter editions; however, books signed by movie cast members are not very valuable. Have an autographed book? Read our guide on how to find its value Learn more Condition The condition of your book plays a large role in its value. Mint condition Harry Potter books are the most valuable, but even true first editions that are worn and tattered from library use can be valuable. Learn more about determining your book’s condition here. Harry Potter values, by the bookWe’ve covered how much Harry Potter books can be worth and what makes them valuable; now, we’ll break down each book in the series so you can determine whether you have a valuable copy. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The original title of the first book in the series, published in the UK by Bloomsbury with a first print of just 500 copies. This is the “holy grail” of Harry Potter collectors and is valued at $35,000 to $55,000, with autographed copies being the most valuable. Here’s how to tell if you have a true first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:
Note that there are some editions that look very similar to the original printing, including a “Ted Smart” edition and a “Celebratory” edition. Both books can have value, but not nearly as much as the true first edition. Moreover, forgers have been known to take advantage of unwitting collectors, increasing scrutiny to ensure authenticity. Want to sell your Harry Potter book? Find the best place to sell any used book for the most money Learn more Other editions that have value:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone The US version of the original book under a different title doesn’t command as much money as the UK version, but it can still be worth a pretty penny.
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The series began being mass-printed in the US with this book, which makes true first editions far less valuable than previous books in the series. Still, there are some collectible versions, including:
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Like the previous and subsequent books, this volume is not valuable on its own; author and illustrator signatures are the only things that improve its value.
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince By the time this book was published in July 2005, J.K. Rowling no longer conducted book tours – which means her autograph makes true first editions rather valuable.
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
How to tell if you have a true first edition:
Additional resources Is this all there is to know about collecting Harry Potter books? It’s a great start, but the world of Harry Potter is immense and there are many resources available to learn more about the series if you’re serious about collecting, buying, or selling Harry Potter books. They include the following sources used for this article:
Related HelpHow do I know if my Harry Potter book is worth money?The print line on the copyright page must read “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”, ten down to one, exactly. The lowest figure in the print line indicates the printing. (For instance, if your copy has “20 19 18 17”, it's a less valuable seventeenth printing.)
How do I know if my Harry Potter book is first edition?US first editions will have the number line of "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02," on the copyright page along with "Printed in the U.S.A.23" and "First American edition, October 1998".
How much is a first edition Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince worth?"Prices for first edition first printings go up to around $6,500 with a fair selection between $4,000 and $5,000 – many signed by the author – although cheaper copies can be found."
How do I find out how much a book is worth?In determining the value of a book there are three basic elements: 1) rarity, 2) condition, and, 3) demand. Books with the most value normally have all three of these elements, and the loss of any will likely result in a loss of value. Age of the book is not always a key factor in value.
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