Anonymous Harry Potter Fan Pays An Astounding $394,000 For J.K. Rowling's Chair
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On April 6, an anonymous donor paid an astounding $394,000 USD for a rickety old wooden chair. This, of course, was no ordinary chair, but the one J.K. Rowling sat on when she wrote the first two Harry Potter books — Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer's in the US) Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets..
What makes the chair unique is that before donating it to a charity in 2002, J.K. Rowling transformed it into a piece of literary memorabilia. Along the apron of the chair she painted, “I wrote/Harry Potter/while sitting/on this chair." The famous author's signature is scribbled on the headrest, while the word "Gryffindor" is written on the bar under the seat.
Of course, no Harry Potter memorabilia is complete without the wizard's famous lightning bolts which feature prominently on the chair's front legs. On the seat bars are the words “You may not/find me pretty/but don’t judge/on what you see."
The author also wrote a personal note that outlined the chair's history and significance. It said:
"Dear new-owner-of-my-chair / I was given four mismatched dining room chairs in 1995, and this was the comfiest one, which is why it ended up stationed permanently in front of my typewriter, supporting me while I typed out "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." My nostalgic side is quite sad to see it go, but my back isn’t. JK Rowling.”
This is the third time the 1930's oak chair has been auctioned since J.K. Rowling donated it in 2002 when it fetched $21,000 USD. In 2009, Gerald Gray paid $29,000 USD in an online auction.
Though both the amounts were impressive, they were nothing compared to what the latest owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, paid on April 6. Even Gray expressed surprise at the final price which was substantially higher than the initial bid price of $45,000 USD. The English native who now lives in the USA plans to donate 10% of the proceeds to Lumos, Rowlings' children's charity. He hopes that the new owner will put this famous chair on display for everyone to see and admire!
Resources: Guardian.co.uk, CNN, com, antiques,and hearts.com
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565 Comments
potter_headover 3 yearsThat is crazy I would probably not pay $394,000 for that I wish they made other chars that look just like that though then I would buy it
averylongbottomalmost 3 yearsit wouldn't be real and I'd pay my whole entire life for that chair!
prettyfastover 3 yearsi wouldnt speand that much eithr
sky_dragonalmost 4 yearsThat's cool but i think $394,000 is kinda too much for a chair(it's just my opinion)!- prettyfastover 3 yearsway to much mony
jkbearalmost 4 yearscool
luvharrypotteralmost 4 yearsDon't judge me....put I WOULD pay this much for this chair!! Y'all are saying "a chair". ITS NOT JUST ANY CHAIR ITS J.K. ROWLING'S CHAIR THAT HAS COOL HARRY POTTER STUFF ON IT AND YEAH. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO IS OBSESSED WITH HARRY POTTER HERE???? Shouting to @birdzrule!! U share my o session with harry Potter!
lowkey_amyalmost 4 yearsWow....I mean I'm obsessed to but I mean...$394,000?!
pusheenicornalmost 4 yearsI love harry potter, too, but $394,000?
equalityabout 4 yearsHonestly... Potterheads don't judge me... I was never that into the Harry Potter books. I read the series in 2he grade and always found them just ok.
ginnyweasley58over 3 yearsharry potter is better then everything ever
birdzruleabout 4 yearsPoor you, I wish you were able to understand how awesome they were😞- luvharrypotteralmost 4 yearsikr!!
- pusheenicornabout 4 yearsthat's cool that its her chair and she put a note with it and everything, but holy hippogriffs, that is a lot of money for a chair! 😯🤑
reiayanamisolosabout 4 yearswow, im a huge harry potter fan as i have watched all the movies 5+ times and am currently reading the chamber of secrets, and have alot of merch but thats a crazy amount of money for a chair!!- potter_headover 3 yearsI'm on the chamber of secrets too
- luvharrypotteralmost 4 yearsI finished the series a few days ago!!
- birdzruleabout 4 yearsYou have to read the books, much better than the movies, although the movies were impressive! I have lost count of how many times I have Read the books , I think I have read them (not exaggerating here!!) about 230+ times!! I think I watched all the movies twice. Any way, dinapop, just telling you, you have a lot to look toward to!
helen0916over 4 yearsOh, wow! I like Harry Potter, but for sure, I would NEVER pay that much for a chair. I read the Harry Potter series until the fifth book.- pusheenicornalmost 4 yearsWhy did you stop reading them?! They are awesome! I'll admit, that is a ton of money for a chair that J.K. Rowling sat in, though. Like if u agree
catboomabout 4 yearsI like them to but I would not like to pay that much fort that
indecisiveover 4 yearsNice chair. It's unique. I wonder what the person's going to do with it. Use it at the kitchen table? Probably not. Put it in the living room? Maybe. Bedroom? Also maybe. What about putting it in your attic where it will never be seen again? Person: . . . no.
bookfan2009over 4 yearsWOW! Looks cool, but I would not spend that much money on a chair.