Complete Set of Deluxe First Printings

Harry Potter Deluxe Edition [Complete First Edition Set: Philosopher's Stone; Chamber of Secrets; Prisoner of Azkaban; Goblet of Fire; Order of the Phoenix; Half-blood Prince; and Deathly Hallows]

Rowling, J. K.

Notes: All seven volumes in the Harry Potter series in the deluxe hardcover binding with printed illustrations mounted on the cover, gilt edges, ribbon bookmarks, and gilt stamping.

This series is one of the most sought-after versions of the beloved children's books (after the correct first editions). These books are attractive and had comparatively small print runs According to Philip Errington's HP bibliography, the first printings of these books were 4869 copies (book 1); 7500 (book 2); unknown (book 3); 10,000 (book 4); 26,700 (book 5); 26,310 (book 6); and 46,500 (book 7). This compares with millions of copies for the later books in the series. Of the seven only the final book in the series is definitely a true first edition, published on the same day as the trade editions.

This deluxe issue of Book 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, presents complications. Publisher's records suggest that the deluxe edition was issued before the regular trade printing. Errington expresses some doubt about this and offers a date a few weeks later, but he also notes that there are records of copies available before that proposed date. It is also true that the copyright page of the first deluxe printing of Azkaban has "Joanne" rather than "J. K." Rowling. The first state of the trade edition also says "Joanne" but line is slightly different and the deluxe version adds a credit for the illustrator, which is not found in any of the three states of the first trade edition. The deluxe first printing does not have the error found in the first state, with the word "burnt" on page 7 on a line by itself. Here the text is run correctly following "burnt." In all, a bibliographical mystery.

Edition + Condition: First editions (first printings) of all seven volumes, including Azkaban (one of the two or three scarcest of all HP books). A couple of books have some minor bumping and some scuffing to the gilt, but over all, a very nice set.

Publication: London: Bloomsbury, 1999–2007.

Item No: #303931

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