ROWLING, J.K. [Joanne], Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Published by Arthur A. Levine Books, New York, 1999

151 x 226mm; pp. 448 (stated), i.e. half-title, title, [4 leaves], 431, [2 leaves]

The most unusual of the American Harry Potter 'Advance Reader's Copies' ('ARC's; though here called 'Advance Reader's Edition').

The first two US ARCs in the Potter series feature the full cover art by Mary GrandPré, 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 GrandPré.

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).