Books

151 x 226mm; pp. 448 (stated), i.e. half-title, title, [4 leaves], 431, [2 leaves]. SCARCE US PROOF/ARC OF THE THIRD HARRY POTTER BOOK. The most unusual of the American Harry Potter ARCs. The first two US ARCs in the Potter series feature the full cover art by Mary GrandPr�, but this ARC is in distinctive Harlequin-patterned wraps. The reason is stated on the rear cover: "Due to unprecedented demand for this book, we have moved the publication date up a full year. (We understand, we couldn t wait to read it either!) Accordingly, we have rushed to bring this Advance Reader s Edition to you as quickly as possible. Please rest assured that the final book will be as elegantly produced as each of the previous two volumes, and decorated with the delightful artwork of Mary GrandPr�." This is especially notable as the American publisher Levine had taken extra pride in the production of the ARCs of Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. The rear cover includes information on the print-run and extensive marketing strategy for the book. By the time of Azkaban the Potter series had become a global phenomenon and this is evident in the physical form of this volume. Azkaban is generally regarded as the best of the Potter books (and certainly the best of the Potter films, with Half-Blook Prince a close second in this cataloguer's opinion). Very good condition: light wear to the edges of the wraps; one crease to the cover; edges of the page block slightly handled. Errington AA4(c).

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in the Harry Potter series, written by British author J.K. Rowling. The book follows Harry's third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns that a prisoner has escaped from the wizarding prison, Azkaban, and is believed to be after him.