An exceptionally special message written for an excited little girl by JK Rowling decades ago has been discovered in a Harry Potter book – and could help it excel at auction.
In 1998 the author who sparked the worldwide Harry Potter phenomenon was invited to talk to pupils at Putney High School in London. Among the lucky youngsters who got to meet her that day was Emily Daw (nee Johnson), then aged 10 and living in Richmond, London.
She queued up to have her copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone autographed by its author. However, JK Rowling took far longer signing Emily’s book – and she discovered why when she looked inside.
Much to her excitement, the note dated March 17, 1998 read: ‘To Emily who looks as I imagine Ginny Weasley looks (you will have to read book two!) JK Rowling’.
In her book, JK Rowling describes Ginny as having flame red hair and a freckled complexion. Emily’s copper, shoulder length hair and fair skin chimed with the character, as did the appearance of actress Bonnie Wright who played the role in the Potter films.
Emily, now a 35-year-old chartered accountant living in Wimbledon, still has fond memories of meeting JK Rowling, and the excitement she sparked in childhood thanks to that extra special message.
Emily: “Having loved reading the first Harry Potter book, I remember being very excited to actually get to meet JK Rowling at school. At that time she was relatively new and under the radar.
“Along with the rest of my class, I patiently queued up to get my book signed, only hoping for a signature, but I knew there was more as she scrawled away on the inside of my book for a lot longer than everyone else.
“As she handed me back my book I eagerly opened it and couldn’t quite believe my eyes when I read her message – me, like Ginny Weasley! I was thrilled to be compared to a book character.
“I felt so lucky! In the years that followed, I raced my way through every one of the subsequent books, with a wonderful sense of escapism as I imagined myself to be Ginny and a part of all of the amazing adventures!“
For the last 24 years the book – a Harry Potter first edition, third issue published in 1997 – has been kept on a shelf in a spare bedroom. Now Emily, who is married but has no children, has decided to part with it. She hopes it will go to a Potter devotee, perhaps a little girl called Emily.
The book, lot 106, will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ Christmas Harry Potter and Library Auction on December 16 with a guide price of £2,000-£3,000.
Hansons’ books specialist Jim Spencer said: “I occasionally see Potter books signed by JK Rowling but the unique personal message in this one makes it extra special. As soon as the author saw Emily it clearly chimed with her. It was how she imagined Ginny Weasley to look in her mind’s eye.
“A unique message like this is very desirable in a market flooded with forgeries. Rowling’s signature changes over time, and this is a good early example. The longer the inscription, the better, because there’s more handwriting to assess.
“The internet is riddled with fake signatures, some more convincing than others, so this is a very special thing. Provenance is everything. A story like this allows collectors to bid with confidence while celebrating the book’s history and the magic of meeting the author at the beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon.
Credit: Daniel Ogren, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“It was a lovely gesture to write that note. It made a little girl’s day and inspired Emily to have an even greater passion and interest in the books that followed.
“More than two decades since the release of the first Harry Potter book, the series remains much loved by children and adults alike. It has inspired millions of people to take up reading and enjoy young adult literature. In a digital world which favours short messages, we should all be very grateful for that. There is nothing like a good book to expand reading and writing skills.
“Emily gained huge enjoyment out of her book but it has been gathering dust for a long time now. It deserves to be cherished by a collector or Potter fan. Perhaps there is a little girl out there with red hair and a passion for Harry Potter books who could have the ultimate Christmas gift delivered by Santa.”
The signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, lot 106, is being offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ December 16 Harry Potter and Library Auction.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CHRISTMAS HARRY POTTER & LIBRARY AUCTION CATALOGUE
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk and www.the-saleroom.com. To find out more email [email protected]
