‘Harry Potter’ Prequel Stolen in Burglary
J.K. Rowling hand wrote an 800 word prequel to Harry Potter and it was stolen! The burglary took place in Birmingham U.K.
The story was penned on a cream colored A5 postcard and was originally auctioned off in a charity event in 2008. The piece went for £25,000 or roughly $19,449.12. The proceeds benefited the writers’ association English PEN and the British charity Dyslexia Action.
Reportedly set three years before Harry Potter’s birth, it features his father, James Potter, and godfather Sirius Black, when they were teenagers.
They are confronted by two “muggle” policemen after a high-speed motorcycle chase but manage to escape on broomsticks.
“PLEASE DON’T BUY THIS IF YOU’RE OFFERED IT,” Rowling tweeted after news of the incident became public. “Originally auctioned for @englishpen, the owner supported writers’ freedoms by bidding for it.”
PLEASE DON'T BUY THIS IF YOU'RE OFFERED IT. Originally auctioned for @englishpen, the owner supported writers' freedoms by bidding for it. https://t.co/ljEQyyj9yY
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2017
The burglary victim says the work is priceless and that he doesn’t “think whoever took it or stole it or who might purchase it will really understand the benefits to people out there, what it can do,” he said. “If I can get it back, I’m over the moon, because I’m only going to be doing good stuff with it. If it’s destroyed, or if it’s lost, it’s a great loss.”
He also admitted to only having read one of the Harry Potter books.
West Midlands Police are encouraging anyone who sees the item to contact them.
“The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans. We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police.”
We are asking #HarryPotter fans to help share our appeal after a rare Harry Potter prequel by @jk_rowling was stolen https://t.co/NLH79kAoLf
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) May 12, 2017
The burglary reportedly took place sometime between April 13- April 24.
sources: twitter, bbc, ew
If only “Accio Postcard” would work
When Beth “grows up” she wants to see her creations appear on the screen and stage. In her free time, Beth blogs about her love of craft beer and writes screenplays. She received her bachelors in journalism from Youngstown State and received her masters in communication from The University of Akron. She is honored to be a part of the FanFest family.
