In the world of magic, particularly JK Rowling’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the spell “evanesco” will make an object disappear. Today, however, a news story comes our way that isn’t a fun use of a vanishing spell: a one-of-a-kind Harry Potter prequel story written by Rowling herself has been stolen in London.
The story was written specifically for a charity auction, ran by Sotheby’s in 2008, for a benefit for English PEN, a UK writer’s association. Selling for £25,000 (approximately $19, 500), Rowling wrote the secret story on both sides of a postcard, amassing about 800 words in total.
“Please do not buy this if you’re offered it,” Rowling tweeted. The postcard was taken, along with jewelry, sometime between April 13 and April 24.
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
In a released statement, Investigating Officer Paul Jauncey said:
“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.”
Anyone with information can contact the West Midlands Police Department (local in London call 101, or anonymously at 0800 555 111).
Tony Schaab rolls his eyes when he hears kids reference a screen-cap of the original NES Super Mario game as a “Minecraft Mario” – you damn kids, get off my lawn! A lover of most things sci-fi and horror, Tony is an author by day and a DJ by night. Come hang out with Tony on Twitter or follow him on Facebook to hear him spew semi-funny nonsense and get your opportunity to finally put him in his place.
