Hogwarts Professor

The going price, as of 2009, is just short of $30,000. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 1st edition sells for $29,875 (H/T to James!)

Why so much? The first run was very short, only 500 copies, and was distributed primarily to libraries, schools, and reviewers. Most copies, consequently, were either dumped or heavily used. The big price is paid for a 1st Edition in excellent condition. Scarcity squared in other words, when combined with high demand yields a bidding war. Read about that in the comments following the article above or this wonderful post about how to recognize a first edition at ‘Is My Harry Potter Book Valuable?’

In the beginning of what promises to be an extended inflationary cycle, I suppose this sort of purchase has to be considered as an investment against hard times. Even so, I confess to being astonished at the dollar figure. As much as I love the story, I ask myself — Do I live in a world with different priorities and interests than a First Edition buyer or is it just the relatively small purse I carry that prevents me from paying $30,000 for a book I can pick up at a yard sale for a dime?

Because of the several rumors I have heard for more than a year that Ms. Rowling was “finishing up a new book,” that her writing was as exciting as “having an affair,” and other impossible to confirm (not to mention unlikely?) stray news bits, I have been waiting on — and predicting privately and at talks — that there would be an announcement about and perhaps even a ‘just in time for Christmas’ publication of a new book. And I learned today that it has happened.

Well, sorta. Okay, not really.

What I found today was the announcement of a Warner Brothers fandom exploitation piece called Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey. If you follow that link, you’ll see the book is coming out 25 October as part of the Christmas rush post Halloween and that it is selling for $75. Go here to read about its “528 glossy pages” and everything you will learn about all eight films…

Let me know when we get a real book, okay? Or when a new Theme Park opens, y’know, something important.

A note today from a friend in the UK suggests that the University of Chicago, aka ‘Chicagwarts,’ is not the best claimant to the prize for ‘School Most Like the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.’ Bruce Charlton writes:

For a year I was a ‘Resident Don’ at University College, Durham, which is probably the only College other than Hogwarts that is situated in a real and purpose-built Castle (a Norman Castle, in fact)  (Durham Cathedral is in the background)

University College also has a Great Hall on Hogwarts lines – this view is facing towards the top table where the Dons sit.  So – does University College in the University of Durham, England win first place?

Really, Bruce, as a UChicago graduate, I’m not a fair judge in this contest. Using the calipers of age, location, and authenticity, University College, Durham, wins hands down. With a phoenix as a mascot, an exact replica of the Hogwarts Great Hall in Hutchinson Commons, and notoriety for peculiar teachers and graduates (say, “geek cubed”), the Quadrangles on Chicago’s South Side will probably win a few votes, even some outside the alumnae/i. (UChicago pictures below the jump.)

What say the HogPro All-Pros?

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