About



Jan Maliepaard, owner of Winters Rare Books Winters Rare Books was founded by Jan Maliepaard, a lifelong collector of children's books and devoted Harry Potter fan. He is also a financial expert and the acclaimed biographer of Chris van Abkoude, a famous Dutch children's book author, who was known in the United States as Charles Winters—a name that inspired the bookstore’s identity.

Jan combines his analytical skills and financial expertise with deep market knowledge to help collectors make informed and secure investments. Authenticity is at the heart of every transaction. Jan invests heavily in guaranteeing the provenance of each book, ensuring that every purchase is not only secure but also truly magical. To learn more about the investment potential of rare and signed Harry Potter books, read this article. 

Curious about a specific title or looking for guidance? Get in touch—we're happy to assist you in finding your next literary treasure.


Crime Journalist Kees van der Spek

Jan's dedication to authenticity is evident in his exposure of the master forger of J.K. Rowling’s signature, a revelation that led to a Prime-time documentary on Dutch national television.

Featured Article by Jan Maliepaard in The Rowling Library Magazine

This extraordinary story has garnered worldwide media attention and was also featured in a cover article in The Rowling Library Magazine.

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Gouda, Netherlands. Photo by reederij de ijsel ©

Winters Rare Books is located in the beautiful city of Gouda, the Netherlands.