HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

(New York): Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic Press, 1999. First printing. Fine in fine jacket.. Signed first US edition of the 3rd Harry Potter book, the first to feature Sirius Black and Remus Lupin as major characters. Rowling found her stride in this installment, generally cited as a fan favorite along with the following book, GOBLET OF FIRE. It won the Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The Harry Potter series has been the biggest literary phenomenon of our lifetime. The books remain formative for millions, including the many readers who reject Rowling's agitations against trans rights. This copy from the personal collection of Mary and Robert Brown, longtime owners of Books, Bytes, and Beyond bookstore in Glen Rock, NJ, who hosted Rowling for an event in October 1999, where this book was signed. Pottermania was just beginning to ramp up on this tour (which was for the release of this book), but had not reach the fevered pitch of later releases and appearances. Due to the strength of the forgery market, Rowling signatures are justifiably suspect. Authentically signed copies with clear provenance, like this one, are therefore more desirable. An excellent example of her early signature. 7.5'' x 5''. Publisher's original quarter purple cloth over blue boards. In original unclipped ($19.95) full-color pictorial dust jacket with art by Mary Grandpré. Orange endpapers. xii, 436 pages. Signed by Rowling on the title page. Small bump to one corner. Else bright, clean, sharp, and tight. (Inventory #: 52216)