Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Uncorrected Proof Copy - Signed Bloomsbury Bookplate

A particularly desirable combination of two early Harry Potter rarities: a UK uncorrected proof copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, one of approximately 200 copies believed to have been produced, accompanied by an exceptionally scarce early Bloomsbury promotional bookplate personally inscribed by J.K. Rowling.

The bookplate belongs to an early Bloomsbury promotional issue produced around the release of the first two books in the series. These bookplates were normally signed by Rowling and distributed by the publisher to selected bookshops for promotional use, where they were often pasted into copies of the books.

Examples bearing a personal inscription are exceptionally rare, as the bookplates were not intended for this purpose. The present example, inscribed by Rowling “To Sarah, Best Wishes, J.K. Rowling,” was therefore almost certainly given personally by the author rather than distributed through Bloomsbury’s normal promotional channels. Unusually, the bookplate has never been pasted into a book and remains preserved in its original unused state.

Uncorrected proof copies were produced in very small numbers only for the first three books in the series and were issued several months before publication for review purposes. Many were discarded at the time, which explains why they rarely appear on the market today and are highly sought after by collectors.

The text was slightly reset for the first English edition. As a result, the lower wrapper text of the proof remains incomplete: the closing words of the sentence “It does not reflect the quality, page size” are missing. Comparison with proofs of the first book indicates the intended ending: “…or thickness of the finished text.” The dedication to Sean P. F. Harris—Rowling’s close friend and owner of the blue Ford Anglia featured in the story—is also absent in this proof state.

A near fine copy with minimal signs of handling. The wrappers, first two pages and final page show a few light spots, and the half-title carries a lightly pencilled price and inventory number, easily erased. The binding remains very tight, suggesting the book has never been read or fully opened.

Housed in a custom-made full-leather blue clamshell box with a gold-lined illustration of the final cover image on the front panel. A Letter of Authenticity from Adam Houston of The Harry Potter Specialist accompanies the book and confirms the rarity of this early Bloomsbury bookplate.