Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
First UK Edition, First Printing, Bloomsbury 2000, Hardcover, Signed by J.K. Rowling, Fine Condition with Provenance
A superb and highly desirable first edition, first printing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, signed in black ballpoint pen by J. K. Rowling to the dedication page. This copy was signed on Monday 10th July 2000 at Waterstones Newcastle, for a signing event between 12:30 and 1:30pm, forming part of the legendary Hogwarts Express Book Tour.
To mark the publication of the fourth Harry Potter book in July 2000, Rowling embarked on a remarkable four-day tour across the United Kingdom aboard a red steam train departing from King’s Cross, visiting Didcot, Manchester, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth. Books signed during this initial leg of the tour are especially coveted, as attendees were issued distinctive golden tickets bearing the title “Hogwarts Express Book Tour” across the top. J.K. Rowling returned a few days later for signing events at Harrods (London), Hatchards (London), Borders Books (Brighton), Ottakers (Kent) and Books etc (London). Here golden tickets were again issued however these tickets do not have the title across the top and are therefore not as collectable.
The book and its dust jacket are presented in fine condition. The copy is unread, with a tight binding, square boards and sharp corners. The base of the spine has the tiniest indentation preventing a pristine grade. The pages are clean and bright, free from toning, creases, marks, ownership inscriptions or writing of any kind. There is no fading to either the book or the dust jacket, which remains unclipped, crisp, without creasing and is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover.
This exceptional example is accompanied by its original Hogwarts Express golden ticket, original purchase receipt, two original photographs from the event, and a three-page handwritten letter from the original recipient, Stephen Oliver, detailing his experience attending the signing, meeting Rowling, and having the book signed, providing a compelling and personal record of the occasion. The signature has been fully authenticated by Adam Houston ‘The Harry Potter Specialist’, widely regarded as the leading authority on Rowling’s signature, and is supplied with a complete authentication package including a letter of authenticity and collector card. The book is further enhanced by a custom blue quarter leather clamshell box with elegant gold gilt lettering to the spine, offering both protection and a refined presentation.
An outstanding and increasingly scarce signed first edition, combining impeccable condition, premier tour provenance, and a complete and highly desirable archive of accompanying materials, representing a significant opportunity for the serious collector.
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by Leanne O'Leary