EyeLuv Books

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EyeLuv Books specialises in searching, valuing and selling old, rare and collectable books & comics. Can't seem to find a certain book? Unsure how to spot valuable items? Think you might have an illusive Harry Potter first edition? With access to over 1 million books online, contact Adam the Chief Book Worm!

Harry Potter Books

Hello everyone, I thought I would start my first blog with a reflection and brief guide on how to spot the rare gems within the Harry Potter book series. Launched in the UK in 1997, it was not until the launch of the fourth book in 2000 that the series became a global phenomenon. On many occasion, I have been contacted by excited customers claiming to have a Harry Potter first edition. With reports in the papers of these books selling, at times, in excess of £20,000, it is no wonder why these books have become some of the most sought after 21st century books.As a basic guide (excluding the few known editions with printing errors, adult covers, celebratory and deluxe editions) you can identify the final four UK first editions as on the printing pages it will say "First Edition". The Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Halfblood Prince & Deathly Hallows will all say "First Edition".All these last four editions had a very high initial print running, going up to 8 million copies (really try and picture this in your mind, there are up to 8,000,000 first editions of EACH of the final four books!!!). Owing to this, it is best to ignore them and you should not pay any more than £10 for Goblet of Fire or more than £5 for Phoenix, Halfblood Prince or Deathly Hallows.The real gems lie with the first 3 books, Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban. These 3 copies used a number sequence to denote a first edition which is;10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 You need to have this full line of numbers to have a first edition, first printing. As it is easier to remove text when printing than adding, a 2nd printing, for example, will only have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2. Should you have this line of printing, you MAY have a first edition and you MAY have a book that is worth a considerable amount.Taking the Philosopher's Stone for an example, it is highly unlikely that you will have a copy of this as only 500 hardback editions were ever printed, the majority of which when to libraries. To have bought one back in 1997, you would have had to request one from the book sellers. The first printing had a few errors inside, had a "younger" Dumbledore on the back cover with brown hair and equally did not have a dust jacket. Also important to note is whether your copy has been printed by Ted Smart which is very similar to the Bloomsbury edition but is NOT a first edition. The Ted Smart books are similar to BCA (Book Club Association) editions and are always printed later than the initial print run. Equally, the condition of the book is essential. The book has been printed far too recently to factor in damage due to age alone.This is only a brief guide on how to spot Harry Potter UK children's hard back editions, further rules apply to the adult and deluxe copies. If you feel that you might have a first edition of either the Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets or Prisoner of Azkaban, contact me for further advice! Many thanks, Adam,Chief Book Worm

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