A rare signed Harry Potter book – won by a Cumbrian schoolgirl 10 years ago and found recently in a loft – is set to make up to £10,000 at auction.
In 2012, 16-year-old Chloe Esslemont was a pupil at The Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton and entered a Harry Potter competition ran by publishers Bloomsbury’s.
She had to write a letter explaining in no more than 50 words why she loved Harry Potter. Entrants were encouraged to draw doodle and make their letters as elaborate as possible – and she pulled out all the stops!
Chloe, now 26, of Kirkbride, near Carlisle, said: “I can’t remember how long it took me to create my entry. My mum worked at a library at the time and told me about the competition. I wrote about how I loved the minutiae of detail in the Potter books which became important in later novels.”
She was chosen as one of 14 runners-up and won a leather-bound special 15th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – published exclusively for the competition and signed by author JK Rowling.
Now the prize is set to go under the hammer on December 16 at Hansons Auctioneers with a guide price of £5,000 to £10,000. Experts there say it is the rarest Potter book they have seen.
Hansons’ books expert Jim Spencer, who has won global recognition for rare Potter finds, said he had never seen an example like it and that means it could produce a result worthy of wizardry.
Jim said: “Technically, this is the rarest Harry Potter book I have ever handled – and I have assessed hundreds.
“This new find is particularly scarce as it’s one of only 15 books specially published to mark the 15th anniversary of the Potter phenomenon. The value is completely unknown. I haven’t found another one for sale, or having sold, anywhere. I don’t even think there’s even a picture of one online! I’m guiding broadly at £5,000-10,000 but who knows what will happen if two or more people are determined to own it?
“This beautiful book was never released for general sale. It’s dedicated to Chloe and is being sold with her original competition entry which is stunning. Her exquisitely designed and decorated letter comes in the form of a folding document inspired by the magical Marauder’s Map.
“Fans could only enter by submitting their letters through specially-designed postboxes at participating bookshops and libraries. The overall winner received one of these exclusive books and a family holiday to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. The 14 runners-up received a copy of the book. Chloe’s has been treasured and kept safe, and is therefore in fine, unread condition.”
Chloe, a childcare practitioner, said: “I’ve kept the book wrapped up in the attic for years. I got into Harry Potter when I was five. That’s went to see my first film. I loved it and started reading all the books.
“Everyone was Potter mad when I was at school. I dressed up as Hermione for World Book Day and my nan knitted me a Gryffindor scarf. I still like the Potter books but I won this prize 10 years ago, it’s been gathering dust and the money would be useful now. I am very excited about the auction. I’ll be watching online.”
Jim said: “This book could be the perfect Christmas present for a Potter fan or a book collector looking to invest. It will be fascinating to see how well it does.”
