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Antiques Roadshow viewers shocked over mind-blowing price of battered Harry Potter books
Virgin Radio
23 May 2022, 12:35
Got any old Harry Potter books lying around? You might want to dig them out. Fans of the Antiques Roadshow were left stunned as worn-out old books were given a rather hefty price tag.
One copy of the Philosopher's Stone with the cover falling off and a copy of The Chamber of Secrets together were valued at £5,000.
Unimpressed antiques expert Justin Croft told guest Helen initially: "These are possibly the worst condition I've seen on the Roadshow."
He soon changed his mind upon discovering the Chamber of Secrets was a first-edition and had a special something inside.
Owner Helen explained: "Growing up, Harry Potter meant an awful lot to me and my family.
"The Harry Potter paperback I have there I was given in my stocking one year for Christmas and when I started reading it I couldn't put it down.
"When the second book came out JK Rowling came to the Edinburgh book festival and she did a signing afterwards. She signed it for me."
The special message from the Harry Potter author which read: "To Helen - This is the condition I like to see my books in! (Read)."
Expert Justin said: "I think I would say £1,000 to £1,500 on this which is really just for the inscription."
Talking about the second book, he added: "And this, being a first edition albeit without the dust jacket, £3,000 to £3,500."
Helen gasped: "Thank you very much."
Twitter users commented: "A Harry Potter book, no matter how valuable.. is not an antique. Cannot believe *just how* valuable signed Harry Potter books are. Astonishing."
A second added: "On the Antiques Roadshow last night someone brought two Harry Potter books along. The BBC could have ignored them instead they talked about them and gave a valuation (worth thousands as signed with a personal message)."
A third commented: "A Harry Potter book, no matter how valuable... is not an antique."
Another penned: "Harry Potter is an antique now?"
One viewer joked: "Dear JK Rowling, Can you please sign the enclosed copies of Harry Potter for me?"
"That Harry Potter book has seen better days," noted one fan.
Up to the attic we go...
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