Rare Harry Potter book auctioned

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6910798.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A first edition of the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book is to be auctioned to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

The rare hardback book was donated to the Oxfam shop in St Andrews and went on sale on Sunday.

The charity has invited fans of author JK Rowling's series to bid for the book in a silent auction, which will end on Saturday, 28 July.

The copy, published in 1998, is likely to attract bids of up to £1500.

The auction coincides with the reopening of the shop in new premises in South Street, St Andrews.

'Anonymous donor'

The book tells the story of the boy wizard's second-year adventure at Hogwarts school.

Oxfam has placed a reserve price of £350 on the book, which is said to be in very good condition with a fine dust jacket.

Kay Dewar, shop manager, said: "We were thrilled when the book was donated but didn't realise how much it could be worth until we did some research. Oxfam would like to thank the anonymous donor for such a generous gift.

"The Harry Potter series has become a publishing phenomenon and I am hoping the auction will be successful with the boy wizard's magic helping Oxfam raise vital funds for poverty reduction in developing countries."

The book will be exhibited in the shop throughout for prospective buyers to view and bid.