In the last 30 years at least, few books have inspired the imaginations of a generation of children like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Those who queued outside bookshops at midnight waiting for the next work in the series to be released are now in their late 20s and 30s and the franchise has expanded to encompass eight Harry Potter films, a series of Fantastic Beasts films, a sell-out stage play, three Disney theme parks and a studio tour. As of 2016, the entire franchise was estimated to be worth $25 billion. Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, Rowling is also the author of the bestselling Cormoran Strike crime series.
Born in Yate, Gloucestershire, on 31st July 1965, Joanne Rowling started her career with Amnesty International, working as a bilingual secretary and researcher. Although her initial idea for Harry Potter began in 1980 on a delayed train from Manchester to London, it was not until many years later, following the death of her mother, birth of her daughter and divorce from her husband, that she found herself ready to write the adventures of Harry Potter. By this point, Joanne was living in Edinburgh. The subsequent success of the books, movies (with Daniel Radcliffe in the title role), plays and more has seen her morph into a multi-millionaire, only stopping shy of billionaire status due to her extensive philanthropic works.
The city of Edinburgh has a special place in the Harry Potter world, Rowling having said: “…Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafés.”
Edinburgh boasts sites such as the gravestone of Thomas Riddell Esq. in Greyfriars's Kirkyard, thought by many to be the inspiration behind the true name of the Potter’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort (or Tom Riddle). Lyon & Turnbull has been privileged to offer several first and signed editions of early Harry Potter books for sale in Edinburgh, the city which many consider to be series’ home.