Harry Potter books to raise £40k - from The Scotsman

A Harry Potter fanatic is hoping to net a magical £40,000 by selling off his collection of 553 first editions.

Tim Toone began his quest to find a copy of every version of author JK Rowling's works in October 2002. The 33-year-old, from Cambridgeshire, has a collection of books in 63 languages, as well as Braille, Latin and ancient Greek versions of the books.

Roddy Newlands, of Bloomsbury Auctions, said: "No one has ever amassed such a collection. It's almost obsessive."

And from IBookcollector #100:

Bloomsbury Auctions - Harry Potter

As part of a two day sale on 28th & 29th February - Children's & Illustrated Books, Original Artwork, Private Press & Limited editions - Bloomsbury Auctions will be selling a collection of Harry Potter books comprising 553 first edition volumes in 63 languages.

The collection spread over lots 238-260 is of course very difficult to value. Lot 259, a collection of authorised international editions consists of over 500 volumes and the estimate is £2,000-3,000, £4 - £6 per book? Lot 240, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a first edition, ex-library with small biro-marks on 2pp. is still estimated at £4,000-6,000.

Although the "Harry Potter" will grab the headlines, there are plenty of other interesting lots over this two day sale. We rather like the 1893 copy of Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti, with illustrations by Laurence Housman. Not only is this one of 160 large paper copies, but it still has the original pictorial dust jacket, printed in blue. The estimate is £800-1,200.