Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince — First Edition, First Printing — Edinburgh Castle Launch Association Copy — with Rowling Autograph Letter, Launch Banner, and Photographs

An exceptional association copy from the Edinburgh Castle launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, signed by J.K. Rowling and personally presented at the official publication event held at Edinburgh Castle on 16 July 2005. The book was received by eight-year-old Ross Cowan, one of seventy “cub reporters” selected by BBC Scotland to attend the invitation-only international media event organised by Bloomsbury.

At the time Ross was undergoing treatment for leukemia and had been recommended by his hospital as its most devoted Harry Potter fan. His mother later recalled that during treatment he “lived and breathed Harry Potter”, often dressing as the character and pretending his IV stand was a broomstick.

The book is accompanied by exceptional supporting material documenting its provenance. These include the original green velvet presentation pouch in which the book was issued; a handwritten letter from J.K. Rowling dated 28 October 2005, written on illustrated stationery and signed “Jo”, referring to the meeting at the Edinburgh Castle launch; an original large-format outdoor promotional vinyl banner (approximately 13 feet) produced for the launch and displayed along Rowling’s arrival route reading “All Aboard for Harry! – Saturday 16 July 2005”; a photograph showing Rowling presenting the book to Ross Cowan during the event; and six unpublished press photographs by Bloomsbury photographer Douglas Robertson, the only official photographer to capture Rowling together with the cub reporters at the launch.

Displayed on crowd-control barriers along Rowling’s arrival route, the banner was removed by security after the event. In an unscheduled moment, Ross Cowan’s father was permitted to retain one example. This banner is the only known promotional object from the Edinburgh Castle launch to have entered the public market and is directly associated with the accompanying signed first edition.

Association copies from the Edinburgh Castle launch are among the most sought-after modern Harry Potter collectibles. The combination of photographic evidence, Rowling’s handwritten letter and original launch ephemera establishes an unusually complete and verifiable provenance.

Near fine. The spine ends and lower cover corners show minor compression; otherwise the book remains in excellent condition. The banner shows two small tears to one lower corner but is otherwise very good. The letter is well preserved.

Housed in a bespoke custom-made half-leather clamshell box. The book and accompanying letter are supported by a Letter of Authenticity from Adam Houston of The Harry Potter Specialist, the world’s sole specialist in J.K. Rowling’s signature.