Collecting Harry Potter Memorabilia

Harry Potter Collectibles - What's Worth Collecting?

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere you know that this coming Saturday book V - “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” of the wildly successful Harry Potter series will be released. Harry Potter mania has been in the air for the past several weeks, and hard core fans have been waiting with great anticipation since the book’s release was announced back in November of 2000.

Bertie Bott's Original Beans

So what does all of this mean for us collectors? Well, first of all you’ll have to decide just what kind of collector you are. Are you a true Harry Potter fan or is your objective to be able to deduce what the hot Harry collectible will be so that you can make a few pence. Of course, you could be a little bit of both. Harry Potter collectibles come in many forms these days, from the more common items that you’ll find at your local Toys-R-Us/Amazon such as the Harry Potter Levitating Challenge Game which my two young sons relish, to the more uncommon collectible such a one-of-a-kind “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” hand signed by J.K. Rowling currently being auctioned on eBay. As with any type of collectible the rarity of the item and the demand can quickly work for or against you.

Harry Potter Phone card from China

Here are just a few of the Harry Potter items currently being sold:
watches, Christmas collectibles, bookmarks, action figures, pins, bumper stickers, lithographs, collectible tins, books, toys, photos, stones, crepe/wrapping paper, puzzles, lego, pencils/pens, beans (jelly beans), party goods, magazines, dice, posters, teddy bears (celebrity bears), shirts, patches, hats, chess sets, duffel bags, calendars, glasses (yes replicas of Harry’s glasses), decals, stickers, candles, coins, stuffed figures, plastic models, piggy banks, stickers/tattoos, cups/mugs, plates, golden snitch balls, candy (e.g. acid pops), flags, computer/video games, Dept. 56 figures, ink stamps, magnets, mouse pads, puzzles, tea sets, plate covers (light switches), scarves, beach towels, fabric (crests of all the Hogwart's houses as well as general artwork), light-up desk, binders, playing cards, magic tricks, keychains, phone cards, pajamas, trinket boxes, book lights, story scopes, globes, amulets, stained glass, desk clocks, Wedgwood, and even Harry Potter UNO.

Disclaimer: Cardinal Rule = Always collect what you like. That way you’ll enjoy it more and the impetus of collecting just for making money is reduced. Nobody can ever tell you what will eventually be collectible unless they have a magic crystal ball. If you are collecting toys to make money then we personally don't think that's a good idea - do it because you enjoy it, not for the money.

For the true collector here’s what we like and why:
1) Any of the 1st Editions of the Harry Potter books, particularly “Chamber of Secrets”, “The Philosopher’s Stone”, or the “final” book. The first editions of the first three books are already highly collectible in the marketplace. If you can find a 1st edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, grab it – only 300 were printed. The Deluxe Editions are also prized and feature the same inside text, but have cloth covers with J.K. Rowling’s signature stamped in gold, gilt edge pages, and a sewn in bookmark. J.K. Rowling’s success is unheralded in the history of publishing, and folks will look back on J.K. as one of the most important authors in history. You may disagree with this statement, and time will tell, but I think it’s safe to say that the whole HP phenomenon will be long lived since these are classically written superlative gems that will be forever enjoyed by young and old alike. How lucky we are to live in a time where you can see all of this happening first hand. Here’s a good article on how to know a Harry Potter first edition.

2) Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. These beans, well known from Book I – “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,”were featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno while he was interviewing Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). They are relatively inexpensive, easy to tuck away, and are an integral part of the HP series. In the future when folks look back at HP they’ll remember those beans.

Ron Weasley's Flying Car

3) Harry Potter and Ron Weasley Flying Car – it’s fun, there haven’t been many spotted about, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can find them on eBay for a steal as well as at some of the local toy stores.

4) Art work by Mary GrandPré - Of course Harry Potter specific artwork (obviously originals and not prints are best, but let's be realistic), in the totality of collecting any other original or very limited works by Mary will become collectible just by virtue of being THE person responsible for all of the U.S. book illustrations (the UK version is not illustrated).

5) Something that hasn’t been released yet. As the books continue to be released there will be more and more uniquely important happenstances and items representing those to be capitalized on. Some will go hand in hand with its own collectible item while others will not. I expect that especially for the final book there will be a particular item or two of importance for the collector and Harry Potter fan to treasure. Let’s all wait a bit and see what is yet to come from the quill of J.K.