As millennials, gen Z and TikTokers grow up, one phenomenon is certain – Harry Potter collectables, now big, are only set to get bigger as the nostalgia bug kicks in.
Curated by our rare books division, Rare Book Auctions, Hansons is the only auction house in the country with sales dedicated solely to the boy wizard.
One such kicks off on Wednesday (29th Oct) afternoon at our Etwall saleroom.
At the helm is our own boy wizard, Jim Spencer, who the BBC once called a “magnet for rare Harry Potter books”.
For collectors there hasn’t been a phenomenon to touch Harry Potter.
Next year will mark 25 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first film in the eight-movie series.
It catapulted a 12-year-old Daniel Ratcliffe into superstardom as the pre-teen icon of countless millions (even billions).
The merchandise it spawned in the shape of posters, costumes, props, games and other promotional material provided a rich seam to mine for fans and investors alike.
But it is the rare first editions that tend to grab most of the headlines.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Hardcover first edition first printings of the 1997 book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone have become the ‘holy grail’ for Potter collectors. If you find one in the attic, then you’ve hit the jackpot.
Only 500 were published and 300 of those went to libraries. Jim has found 20 of them. One such was unwittingly bought by a mum at a Warwickshire book shop after seeing it on a children’s TV show in 1997, which sold for £69,0000.
The paperback version was issued at the same time, so it’s still the beginning of Harry Potter.
The main characteristics of a true 1997 first edition, first printing, is a print line that reads “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” and the crediting of “Joanne Rowling” not JK.
There are other trademark signs to look out for on a true first edition.
Flick to page 53 and you will see the “1 wand” appear twice on the list of “Other Equipment”.
On the back cover there are two more inaccuracies.
Philosopher’s is misspelled as philospher’s, and it reads Wizardry and Witchcraft (rather than Witchcraft and Wizardry).
All of these are key things to look out for, if you have a tattered old copy under the bed, or like to scour charity shops hunting out bargains.
Jim has a first edition paperback that ticks all the boxes in Wednesday’s sale which could make up to £8,000.
But expected to make even more when they go under the hammer are two uncorrected proofs of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban from 1999.
These proofs were circulated to reviewers and booksellers before publication, but that courtesy ended with the Prisoner of Azkaban after plot spoilers had started to leak out.
The proofs were issued in two variant wrappers, the rarest of which – in purple – came in a print run of just 50 copies. It is expected to make £10,000-£15,000 tomorrow.
The second variant came in green, of which there are 150. This not quite as rare book has a guide price of £6,000-£7,000.
But one of my favourite lots going under the hammer isn’t a book.
It is a rare set of behind-the-scenes photographs from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The 224-shot archive, expected to fetch £2,000-£3,000. was consigned by the driver of one of film’s producers – David Barron – who gifted them to his trusty chauffeur as a keepsake and thank you.
Taken by the Dutch-born stills photographer, Jaap Buitendijk, they feature action shots and cast members relaxing, as well as images of the producers and director at work.
Only a handful of these movie stills were presented to Harry Potter big wigs, meaning they rarely if appear on the open market.
They are a charming and intimate glimpse into the world of one of the biggest franchises of all time, and sure to spark interest among the Potter fans around the world.
The Harry Potter auction, presented by Lichfield-based Rare Book Auctions, starts Wednesday (29th Oct) at 2pm at Hansons Auctioneers’ Etwall saleroom.
Auction Details
Auction: The Harry Potter Auction (Presented by Rare Book Auctions)
Auction date: 29th October 2025 | 2pm
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
