In 2007, a seventh copy produced specifically for sale at auction to raise money for J.K Rowling’s charity Lumos, was sold at Sotheby’s for a record-breaking £1.95 million. Originally presented as a personal gift to ‘those most closely connected to the Harry Potter books’, the manuscript of wizarding tales is one of only seven unique copies produced for the most important people in Rowling’s life during this time. ONE OF SEVEN MANUSCRIPT COPIES BY THE AUTHOR.

JK ROWLING, THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL RUNES, 2007. The original packaging, in which the copy was delivered, is included as part of the lot. In a dedication written in the front of the book, JK Rowling wrote: “To Barry, the man who thought an overlong novel about a boy wizard in glasses might just sell… THANK YOU”.Ĭunningham recalls the experience of receiving the copy on 12 December 2007 as ‘unreal’, becoming ‘progressively more exciting’ as he opened a white jiffy envelope to reveal a beautiful, cloth-wrapped manuscript book, adorned with semi-precious stones and a sterling silver mounted skull. The copy holds considerable special significance, as Cunningham played an instrumental role in launching J.K Rowling’s career as an international best-selling author. The book, which is estimated to reach £300,000-500,000, is one of only seven that J.K Rowling produced and was presented to British publisher Barry Cunningham, who famously accepted the first Harry Potter book for publication. Wong Kar Wai x Sotheby’s | A Modern Art Collaboration

The beedle bard