Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC), Uncorrected Proof Signed by J.K. Rowling, 1999
An Advance Reader’s Edition often called an Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) is an uncorrected proof of a book about to be published. They are usually sent to book sellers, editors and reviewers prior to public release. Many of these books were read and often thrown away or damaged as they were not considered collectable. There were 3000 copies of this US ARC printed, making it a particularly scarce edition when compared to the 500,000 first US trade edition copies of The Prisoner of Azkaban. There were also 3000 copies printed for the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets ARCs but none were printed for any of the later books in the series.
The Prisoner of Azkaban ARC, you may notice that it doesn’t not bear the usual cover art and instead has a purple and black diamond pattern. This is because Mary GranPre the illustrator of the US books had not finished the cover art by the time this ARC was published, because Scholastic changed the publishing date to earlier than expected by several months. Signed copies of the US ARCs are ultra rare, with this copy being one that was signed by J.K. Rowling in thick-black pen to the half-title page during her second American tour in October 1999.
This book is in fine condition aside from some minor rubbing to the head and foot of the spine. The book and spine still retain their full colours without fading which is rare as the colour red is susceptible to fading. The binding is square and tight and there are no creases at all down the spine showing it to be an unread copy. Internally it is exceptionally clean with no ownership inscriptions or any unwanted marks of any kind. The book comes housed in a custom made, half-leather, maroon/purple clamshell case with gold gilt lettering to the spine.
The signature has been fully authenticated by Adam Houston ‘The HarryPotter Specialist’, widely regarded as the leading authority on authenticating J.K. Rowling’s signature. The book is accompanied by a complete authentication package, including a Letter of Authenticity and collector card.
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by Leanne O'Leary