Thursday, November 01, 2007

"Tales of Beedle the Bard" to be auctioned

In a surprise announcement, Jo tells us on her website that she wrote The Tales of Beedle the Bard as a thank you gift for 6 people who worked closely with her on the Harry Potter books over the years, and that she will auction the seventh copy off at Sotheby's for charity. The Sotheby's site shows screencaps and the book is chock full of Jo's drawings too! Here is Sotheby's description (it will make you drool, I promise!):
Autograph manuscript of “The Tales of Beedle the Bard ” translated from the original runes by J.K. Rowling. Individually handwritten and extensively illustrated by the author, c.160 pages written in an Italian hand-made notebook, bound in brown morocco embellished on upper cover by Edinburgh silversmiths Hamilton and Inches, with five individually hand-chased hallmarked sterling silver ornaments and mounted moonstones.
AQ staffer Jules has purchased the auction catalog so we will have more soon.

Reports in the media: BBC, CBBC, The Leaky Cauldron.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would Jules scan it for AQ? It's very expensive for me... if some fan is going to scan it, I won't buy...

Anonymous said...

This woman could sell snow to Eskimos. I'm adding your link to my own blog at www.sarahmoffett.com. Thanks.

Unknown said...

I will scan the relevant parts of the catalogue. leaky have screen caps and web caps of the book already and I have been trying to decipher some of JKR's handwriting. most of the captures are too blurry to decipher.

One that is legible is :

"THE WIZARD AND THE HOPPING POT:

'There was once a kindly old wizard who used his magic generously and wisely for the benefit of his neighbours. Rather than reveal the source of the...[text ends here and continues on the next page of Tales of Beedle The Bard]".

Anonymous said...

thanks, Jules ^^

the dedication of the moonstone edition says:

"Six of these books have been given to those most closely connected to the Harry Potter books during the last 17 years. This seventh copy will be auctioned; the proceeds to help institutionalised children who are in desperate need of a voice. So to whoever now owns this book, thank you - and fair fortune be yours!"