Rowling, JK (2007) ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’, UK signed first edition

JK Rowling (2007) ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’, UK first edition, first printing, published by Bloomsbury. Signed by Rowling with a brief dedication ‘To Anthony’ on the title page. Comes with excellent provenance: the obligatory hologram, the Moonlight Signing event ticket, a poster, a promotional flyer and reading stickers.

Condition: fine

JK Rowling signed books are frequently forged and sold on prominent auction websites to people who buy in good faith. This practice is widespread especially for the last four Harry Potter first editions since the first print runs went into hundreds of thousands if not millions. For criminal minded people obtaining these first editions cost little, but a ‘signature’ adds much value. The difficulty lies in obtaining a genuinely signed copy. Rowling and the publisher became quickly aware that an entire ‘forgery industry’ developed as the popularity of Harry Potter grew from book to book so Bloomsbury introduced the ‘hologram’ which every child/ person who queued up to get their book signed acquired once the book got signed. We urge buyers to only buy authenticated signed copies or copies which bear this very hologram. The copy offered here does not only have the hologram but also the original event ticket. Moreover, inscribed/ dedicated copies should be preferred as more words added by an author provides additional warrantee for authenticity as the signature AND handwriting can be compared.

There were very few signing events for this very last ‘Harry Potter’ book so prices are quite steep and prospective buyers should be cautious if a book is offered considerably below market value without the above mentioned provenance features.