Harry Potter U.S. publisher Scholastic has announced plans today to release a special edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on September 23 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its publication. The edition will feature new material from J.K. Rowling and new artwork from Mary Grandpré right here in our galleries.
The book will cost $30.00. There are currently 28 million copies of the original version of the book in print in the U.S., and 375 million copies of the books worldwide in 65 languages.
We don't yet know what type of material J.K. Rowling will deliver for the book but will let you know as soon as we do; Mary GrandPré's contribution is a new cover depicting Harry gazing into the Mirror of Erised, and a four-color frontispiece (the artwork inside the book that precedes the start of the narrative). The artist said:
“It's a real treat for me to get another chance to visually bring Harry back to his fans in not only a new scene, but in a new light...Going back to draw the first cover for the anniversary edition was an opportunity for me to show another side of Harry... a vulnerable side. Having come to know and love Harry the way we all have, after experiencing the whole series, I think we can appreciate him even more on an emotional level.”
Scholastic's full press release is here; you can also get a closeup look at the art on the site here.
It’s fantastic. The Mirror of Erised is my favorite chapter in Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone, if not the whole series. And I love the picture of Hagrid and all the first years in the boats with Hogwarts in the background. I can’t wait till we find out what extra content Jo puts in it! Wow. Ten years. It’s gone by so fast (and yet, so slow when we were awaiting the new books, especially Deathly Hallows). I’ll have to pre-order this.
That cover is beautiful. I love Harry’s expression. I’m really excited about it.
@kitkat: You realize Scholastic isn’t making anyone buy it? People (That is to say most of us on Leaky and others) who care a lot about Harry Potter will buy it. And 10th anniversary editions (or other anniversaries) are very common practice for books and movies that are very successful. You shouldn’t be surprised that they’re doing it. And as for your comment:
“Just as I thought…Scholastic is going to milk this thing until it’s dead…then they will sell us the remains for 49.99. “
This gave me an image of them selling us “the remains” not for $49.99, but for a handful of magic beans. It’d be more beneficial for them anyways. A hen that lays golden eggs is much better than $49.99 from a handful of people.
“Because basically this is all Scholastic has. Scholastic has been surported by Harry Potter!”
That there is a bit of an insult to Scholastic. Scholastic is an extremely successful publisher, with or without Harry Potter.
” I don’t blame Scholastic…I blame JKR for wanting more money from us.”
Oh yeah, she is a crazy, greedy woman. It’s disgusting that she wants to donate what she earns from The Scottish Book to charity. Who does she think she is?
“You have more money then God”
Does she really have more money that God? I don’t recall him appearing on the 2008 Forbes Billionaire List.
“if you have something to add JKR put on your website for free, instead of making your fans pay 30.00 dollars for books they already own!”
Again. She’s not making anyone buy this book. Did you really think there would be no 10th anniversary edition. It’s not exploiting anyone; if you want something clearly made just for greed try the special editions of Eragon and Eldest. Quite frankly, there are plenty of people who would buy this book whether or not JKR put a single new word into it. I would, and I appreciate whatever she contributes, be it a foreword or anything else.
“Now she is just getting greedy!”
No comment.
(And sorry—I just kind of wanted to vent.)
@talor: Me too, only with Order of the Phoenix! They gray instead of the blue really messes up how my set looks.
I love the artwork but I wish there was more of Harry’s family in the back ground. It looks like she’s going off the movie by just including James and Lily . . . idk. I’ll buy it though :p. The artwork with Hagrid is really nice. Yay!
Ammy: Learn to laugh a little in life, you might enjoy it more. I will give the 3 page article that said that Scolastic was a stuggling company until Rowling came around. It’s werid, she wants to help all the starving children, but she wants her fans to pay it. CUT A CHECK YOURSELF, AND UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE!!!!
Ava: I was just trying to tell you what you sounded like.
Why are ppl so upset, no one is forcing anyone to buy the book! Lots of authors/ publishing companies sell special editions. Look at the Twilight series, it hasn’t even ended and the publisher is already selling a special editon of the third book at the end of the month. Most fans seem supportive. It seems like a blanket statement to say that JKR/publisher are too reach so they can’t make more money, it’s a bussiness at the end of the day. These special editions extend to other industries as well, I mean look at the movie industry, you get a movie special edition almost every year.
I meant to say ‘too rich’ in my last post. By the way for people who don’t want to pay $30 for the book, you can always borrow it from the library, I’m say they’ll be buying copies, or just go to your local wal-mart/book store and read it cuz it’s not that long a book and I’m sure what ever new materials included in the books will probably be up on the websites anyway!:P
Excellent way to get back into that NYT best seller list : $30 – sheesh. Too many are rather cynical now about Ms Rowling to buy this to increase her wealth. I’ll stick to my battered SS of old, thanks.
Ah, haters… the just can’t stand the fact that so many people love the Harry Potter books, can they? Whine all you want, but know that it will all be for nothing. This book will still sell tons because it’ll have great value to those who choose to buy it. And we still love HP after all these years, even though you don’t. Sorry!
to the moderators: i’d suggest that the comment with the tag:
“Posted by kitkat on May 20, 2008 @ 04:41 PM”
ought to be deleted. it’s very rude, abrasive, and potentially upsetting for people who may be living through, or having had lived through a circumstance similar to what was written. just my opinion, but i thought i’d bring it to your attention.
I remember when the 1st book came out, reviewers said that Rowling was the “next Roald Dahl”. Now, whenever an author is successful, they say that he(or she) is the “next J.K. Rowling”!
"...of course, your examination results will reflect upon the headmistress's new regime at the school..."[br]Professor McGonagall gave a tiny sigh. Harry saw her sharp nose flare.[br]"However, that is no reason not to do your very best."
It’s fantastic. The Mirror of Erised is my favorite chapter in Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone, if not the whole series. And I love the picture of Hagrid and all the first years in the boats with Hogwarts in the background. I can’t wait till we find out what extra content Jo puts in it! Wow. Ten years. It’s gone by so fast (and yet, so slow when we were awaiting the new books, especially Deathly Hallows). I’ll have to pre-order this.