The Harry Potter Guide - Book prices, values, first editions etc. An Antique Books Guide

This post is dedicated to the modern fiction phenomenon that is the Harry Potter series.

With the vast franchise estimated to be valued in excess of $24,000,000,000 in 2012, J.K Rowling's world famous books are one of the most collectible of any modern author.

Yet it is often difficult to know which books are the wise choices to collect and this post will hopefully help give a bit more information on collecting the Harry Potter books.

The Philosopher's Stone

As the first book in the series, this book is by far the most collected and valuable.

Below is some information of values, editions and more.

The Young Wizard

My first tip is simple - look for the Young Wizard.

This may not guarantee value but it will mean that the book is at least an early edition.

Read on to find out more.

 Different editions, both firsts

Here is a typical trick that can attract those who don't know much about the Harry Potter books.
A true first edition of the first HP books will sell for £1,500 if in poor condition and can rise close to ten thousand if signed and pristine.
2nd editions can reach over £150 and 3rd editions can still achieve in excess of £50.

However, a Celebratory edition in first edition state can be snapped up for approximately £5 and sell for a maximum of £20.

Whilst many sellers will list the Celebratory edition (seen left, below) as a first edition, it is only a first edition of that specific type. This edition was in fact printed three years after the original 1997 first edition.

Another problem that can face buyers is the listing of a book as 'First Edition' when it may not be a true first.

As seen below, the book is a first edition (i.e the first time the book was printed) but it is a later impression of the first state.

This can be seen from the all important number line at the bottom of the print details page.

If the number line shows 10987654321 then you have a first edition.

The number line below is for the first Celebratory edition.

However, these two aren't the only early editions that might be listed as first editions.

There is also the famed Ted Smart edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

A first edition of this book, printed a year after the first edition yet still appearing the same visually, can reach £300 and a second edition up to £30. Still a good amount but a far cry from the what the true firsts can achieve.

Even if they sport the 'Young Wizard' on the spine and back cover, these copies can still be Ted Smart editions - identified by viewing the spine as seen below.

The title page may appear the same for all four versions of first editions - the Celebratory, the Ted Smart and the True first.

The Old Wizard

One of the least sought after editions of The Philosopher's Stone is the Old Wizard cover version.

This denotes the book to be a later impression and so generally worth far less than the Young Wizard editions.

The Deluxe/ Special Edition

A far more collectible edition of The Philosopher's Stone, and indeed all seven books, if the Deluxe edition.

Sporting gilt edging, a facsimile signature and higher presentation values than standard editions, these can be worth a lot in true first state - up to £150 in fact.

Later impressions generally reach £10.

The Chamber of Secrets

Now we notice a sudden dive in values compared with The Philosopher's Stone and a new division between paperback and hardback.

A first edition hardback is worth in excess of £250 and sometimes up to £500.
A first edition paperback can reach up to £30 but sometimes as low as £10.

Again there are the same four different versions being the Ted Smart edition, the Celebratory edition, the Deluxe edition and the True first.

This pattern actually runs throughout the series.

 The Prisoner of Azkaban

A first edition hardback of the third book is worth up to £100 but generally around £40
A first edition paperback can sell for as little as 99p but can reach £15 at auction.

For this book the Deluxe edition usually commands in excess of £15 for any impression.

The Goblet of Fire

This book has a special variation to the others, unique to this book only.

The first edition was actually printed by two publishers - Clays (as are all the HP books) and the rarer Omnia press.

The Omnia editions were estimated to represent a third of all first editions.

A first edition hardback Omnia book is worth between £20 and £40 whilst the Clays edition can reach £14 but often fails to reach more than £5.

Paperbacks aren't worth even considering.

An important change with this book from the others is that the First Edition was far more printed than all the previous editions - partly to boost initial hardback sales.

This pattern increases throughout the series meaning later editions are almost always firsts!

From this book onwards all first editions are stated as 'First Edition' in the print details rather than identified by number line - another sign that the first edition was aimed more at the general public to boost sales.

The Order of the Phoenix

The last book in the series that is worth collecting for any value at all.

The hardback first edition can reach £5 but generally is worth 99p.

The Half Blood Prince

Worth less still sadly.

Shown below is a paperback edition for diversity.

The Deathly Hallows

This may have been the best selling Harry Potter book but that also meant more First Editions were printed and so firsts are rarely worth more than the standard later impressions.

Thanks for reading - I hope this guide helped you in some small way!

Please share, comment or +1 and take a look at my other posts if possible

The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien's most famous book and how much it's worth - An Antique Books Guide

Here's a brief version of a longer post I have written, but this time only focusing on The Hobbit.

As Tolkien's most famous book, people often wonder how much a copy can be worth up to, especially if they happen to own a rather old edition.

Well hopefully this post will help guide anyone who wants to know what their Hobbit might be worth or anything else about editions of the Hobbit currently available.

The Hobbit

Published in 1937 with a very limited print run, this book is Tolkien's most famous and arguably the most famous fantasy book of all time.

Originally written for children but now touted as an adult friendly book due to advanced themes and lexis, this book is one of the most collected of any fictional works.

Look out for hardback copies with the dust jacket that are pre-1975 for real value.

Below are a selection of the editions of The Hobbit currently available and what they might be worth:

George Allen and Unwin Hobbit

The original Hobbit book with the Iconic dust jacket.

This design ran from 1937 up to 1975 with only minor alterations and as such is the classic Hobbit edition.

The first editions can reach over £6,000 at auction whilst later impressions drop to £20 approx. Here's a quick value guide for the George Allen and Unwin illustrated Hobbit:

First Edition/ Impression 1937 - £6,000+

First Edition 1932-1946 - Between £400 and £1,000+

Second Edition 1951-1965 - Between £80 up to £300 

Third Edition 1966-1975 - Between £15 and £80 

Editions with dust jackets and in good condition sell for the most

Folio Hobbit

This recent Folio edition is worth between £10-£20 despite the lovely covers, fine binding and black and white illustrations

Deluxe Edition

These versions started in 1976 and are known for their incredible quality throughout from the luxurious binding to the incredible cover designs.

This is THE edition for the collector.

Worth up to £200 for the first edition to at least £50 for last editions

Longmans Edition

A more obscure edition, this version was created primarily for schools.

Worth between £50 for a first edition and under £10 for a later edition.

The 1975 Hobbit paperback

This book is a a particularly rare year and contains colour illustrations and the unique cover design.

Worth up to £10

The Vintage Paperback

This is the classic paperback edition with covers using a drawing from Tolkien's own hand.

Starting in 1966 this edition ran to the mid 1970's.

Values range from £5 up to £20 for the first impression of this edition

The First Paperback edition

This is the very rare 1961 first paperback.

With a never used before or after cover illustration and poor quality binding, these books are growing rarer and rarer.

Valued at £25 for a poor condition version to £100 for one in very fine condition.

The Guild Publishing Deluxe edition

This rather nice looking copy has a uniform Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion also and is one of the more unique copies.

Prices vary from £10 for a poor condition edition to over £60 in some cases.

The 50th Anniversary Edition

The 1987 50th edition is one of the most collected recent editions.

Valued between £10 and £25

The 1978 Fourth Edition

The fourth edition may not be quite as collectible as the third, second or first editions (all of which have the classic iconic covers) but is nonetheless sought after.

Valued at between £10 and £25

The Michael Hague edition

This particular edition has some of the nicest and most elaborate illustrations of any yet published.

A large book and with completely unparalleled presentation, this book can be worth up to £30 for a first impression and as low as £5 for a later poor condition copy.

Earlier Folio

This particular folio edition is the middle edition between the 1979 deluxe and the 1990's popular Folio in terms of value.

Prices range from £10 to £30 in rare cases

Guild Publishing edition

Another rare GP edition with fine binding

Worth between £10 and £20

Guild Publishing edition

And another GP edition, worth slightly less than the above edition but still a nice rare copy to own.

Valued between £7.50 and £15

The Modern anniversary edition

This 1990's edition is a nice modern revamp of the classic edition and worth up to £10 in some cases

The modern Paperback

The standard modern paperback is ideal for children to read.

Worth generally less than £1 unless a first print of this edition in which case it could be worth up to £10

Limited Box Set

This rare boxset contains a unique edition of the book and many other extras including postcards, a CD with Tolkien reading excerpts and adverts.

Worth between £15 and £30

And there you have it!

The Hobbit is a very well published book and a solid investment with prices continually on the rise thanks to the great work of Christopher Tolkien and the Estate of Tolkien.

I hope this guide helped you in some way - please share, comment and do anything else you can with this blog except for copy it without permission!)

Thanks for reading

Worzel Gummidge by Barbara Euphan Todd - An Antique Books Guide

Worzel Gummidge is a renowned character ; an enigmatic scarecrow with a penchant for trouble.

Created by Barbara Euphan Todd, this memorable character was on the television and radio for many years, providing great amusement and helping children to enjoy their childhood from as early as the war. Played by John pertwee in the children's TV adaption, Worzel was a character that few can forget.

What only a handful know however is that Worzel Gummidge first originated in a book, published in 1936
The main reason that I am dedicating a blog post on this hugely successful character-driven series is for the appeal of the books and for the beautiful illustrations that made the book what it is.

Elizabeth Alldridge is the name behind those beautiful full-page line illustrations, and she perfectly captured the character and liveliness of Worzel without the need for colour - this was just before the war after all!
Add to that the wonderfully bright dust-jacket and you have a beautiful children's book.

Have a look through the photos below and if this little post triggered memories then a +1 or comment is much appreciated!