Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. First Edition Guide
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition price guide.
So, you have a first edition copy of Harry Potter. Congratulations!
It's a great find, but unfortunately, not every first edition of Harry Potter is highly valuable. As such, I have created this guide to help you value your books.
To begin with, it's easy to check if your book is a first edition. However, determining your book's value is more complex.
This guide covers identifying and valuing Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition and offers tips on how to sell them.
You can also download the Modern First Edition Price Guide.
Let’s start with finding a first edition.
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Do I Have a First Edition Harry Potter?
Since the 1970s, you can find the edition of your book with the print key (aka print line). The print key is a sequence of numbers that indicates the print run of a book. You can find these on the copyright page.
e.g. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The lowest number in the sequence represents the printing number. Therefore, if the number 1 is present in a sequence, it’s generally considered a first printing. The order of the numbers doesn’t matter; if the number 1 is present, it’s a first edition.
As such, if the lowest number is 2, it’s a second edition.
All of these print key sequences represent a first edition.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4
3 5 7 1 9 10 8 6 4 2
Better still. Some books, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition, clearly state “First Edition” on their copyright page.
Once you know your edition number, you can determine your book’s price.
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1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (£30,000)
The first edition of the first book appeared in 1997. All UK copies of Harry Potter are published by Bloomsbury.
The rarest is the original hardback edition (only 500 exist). The second rarest is the Philosopher's Stone, first softback edition (5000 paperbacks).
To tell if you have a first edition, check the print key: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. The first edition also has a mistake on page 53. In the list of school supplies that Harry receives from Hogwarts, the item 1 wand must appear twice.
It will also say on the cover, ‘a terrific read and stunning first novel’
Even with a first edition, the value will depend on the condition and whether the book was signed. As such, prices for a first edition hardback of a philosopher's stone vary from £30,000 to £60,000.
First edition, first impression, paperback issue of the first Harry Potter book will sell for £12,000 - £20,000 depending on the condition.
There is also a US version, printed in 1998, retitled to Happy Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Once again check the print line number it will also say First American edition. The American first editions sell for £5,000-£10,000.
2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (£5,000)
The next book came out in 1998. The first hardback edition (800 copies) fetches the most. JK Rowling also held numerous book tour signings for the second book. The first edition, paperback edition, had a print run of 10,000 copies.
Signed hardback deluxe and American editions can sell for over £2,000.
As you can see, the average selling price drops dramatically after the first book. When the third book came out, the books had gained popularity, more were printed, and thus their scarcity and overall value decreased.
3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (£2,000)
The initial hardcover print run was stopped mid-printing after it was discovered that 'Joanne Rowling' rather than 'J.K. Rowling' had been printed on the copyright page. As such, signed Joanne versions start at around £5,000.
First edition first printings will have the print key 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. There are only 2,500 copies of the hardback first edition, which fetch around £2,000. The deluxe editions, with green cloth, from 1999, are also collectable if they are first editions.
4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (£500)
As the books became more popular, J.K. Rowling signed fewer copies. The Goblet of Fire had a limited book tour, resulting in only a few hundred signed first editions. If you have a hardback, signed, first edition you can still fetch four figures.
As with the others, there are also limited Dulux editions. Other editions include, if the illustrator has signed a copy, buyers. After the Goblet of Fire, these signing events have become increasingly scarce, leading to even fewer signed books.
5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (£100)
Look out for first edition copies signed by JK Rowling at the midnight launch event in Edinburgh in 2003. These can still fetch four figures, but there are only a few copies available. You can also find special Dulux and illustrator-signed editions.
6 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (£50)
By 2005, Harry Potter was a household name. JK no longer carried out book tours and signed very few copies. Once again, fine copies and signed Dulux editions can go for a few thousand. However, the book now had a print run in the millions.
7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows First Edition (£10)
Lastly, we reach Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition. Millions and millions of copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows have been published. There are Dulux signed copies that can still fetch a few thousand. However, you likely have a regular, unsigned first edition that is worth very little.
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Book Value Factors
The better the condition, the higher the value. Copies without folds, tears, or dog-eared pages are more desirable. As a result, it's difficult to find softcovers in near fine condition. Signed copies that were signed during the very early book tours. Fake signatures are more common than genuine ones. You can verify authenticity through a UK appraiser, auctioneer, or a signature expert such as Adam Houston.
Special and unique editions can also value for a higher price. These include Dulux editions, signed Dulux editions, first editions, and American first editions. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, first edition or script by the Harry Potter cast.
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How To Get Your Harry Potter Book Valued?
If you believe you have a Harry Potter first edition, you can get your book valued by a professional. First, there are auctions, which will value your book for free and provide an estimate of the selling range.
Some auctions will take about 20% of the overall value; others, less. Note that you can always set a reserve price.
Next, for a quick valuation and sale, you can contact antique bookshops directly, such as Peter Harringtons. Alternatively, you can contact a local book seller who can guide you on where to sell your book. As mentioned, a first-edition Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition won’t fetch much.
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How to Sell my Harry Potter First Edition?
Once your book is valued, you can consult a variety of sources. First, if your book is worth less than £1000, you can sell through websites such as eBay and AbeBooks. ( Keep in mind, online shops typically take a 20% cut).
For more expensive books, you can sell to antiquarian bookshops and book dealers. As well as in auctions. You can also have a few people value your book and choose the best-selling option once you have more information.
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Determining the value and selling potential of your Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first edition depends on many factors, including its condition and unique attributes such as a genuine signature.
If you need more information about your book, please email me. You can also reach out via direct message. I am regularly available on Instagram @sixbookshop.