Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - A Well Read Copy with a Twist

As I mentioned in my previous post on the first Harry Potter book ever printed, collecting first edition Harry Potter books can be a somewhat daunting hobby.  The valuations for these books can be rather steep.  But, there are some interesting items out there at a reasonable price if you look long and hard enough.

Not long ago I came across this first British edition of the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  By the time this book came out, J.K. Rowling was a very well known author.  There was no advanced reading copies for book reviewer pre-view, because everyone knew the book was going to sell millions of copies...which it did promptly.  And signing events with Rowling started to get scarce because there wasn't a great need to promote the books.  As a result, finding a signed (let alone inscribed) copy of any of the British or American first editions from book four through book seven is not easy.

As you can see, this book is really beat up.  Its spine board is almost totally separated from the volume.  The hinges are heavily worn and detached.  The cover has some grit on it.  Bottom line...this book is a mess.  But...it has a terrific inscription by Rowling!  And while book collectors get really fastidious about condition, I think this one has more character than the finest of fine books.  I am grateful that "Sam" (the original owner presumably) had Rowling inscribe it as is!

Until next time....