After the auspicious release of the final Harry Potter film,
'The Deathly Hallows Part 2', Birmingham-based auctioneers, Biddle
and Webb have also gone 'Potter mad'.
A very rare 'Golden Snitch' prop, believed to have been used in
the first Harry Potter film 'The Philosophers Stone' goes up for
sale on Friday 15th July in Biddle and Webb's Toys and Ephemera
sale.
The prop, brought in to one of Biddle and Webb's free valuation
mornings, was won by the current owner in a competition entered in
a local Woolworth's store in 2001. The entertainment company Warner
Brothers presented the boxed, limited edition gold and white metal
'Snitch' to the owners at a premier of the film held at Star City
in Birmingham.
Only a few of these Snitches were made and very little is known
about them. Another was presented at a premier in London and some
in Japan and America, but it is thought only 10 are in
existence.
Auctioneer Liz Winnicott, has been tasked with researching the
auction history of the Snitch but due the unique and rare nature of
the item there is little documented evidence to provide a benchmark
value. However, on further analysis of Biddle and Webb's own
auction trends relating to Harry Potter memorabilia, similar items
have previously broken sale records.
Biddle and Webb's managing director, Jeremy Thornton said:"This
is a very exciting little item with a lovely story attached. As we
have experienced in the past, there are avid collectors of Harry
Potter memorabilia and top prices can be paid for the right thing.
There is nothing to compare it with so it is difficult to predict
how much excitement this will cause. We have placed an estimate of
£3-£5000 on it based on the popularity of other rare
items from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter collectables."
Other interesting items in the sale include a life size
Mothercare promotional Merrythought Bear made for Wimbledon, bought
in the 1970s. He is very huggable, standing a massive 6' tall and
is still wearing his Wimbledon tennis socks. A large collection of
Pelham puppets, together with an original boxed Pelham puppet stage
are also on offer as are some interesting original 1948 Olympic
games programmes.
For more on Biddle and Webb's Toys Ephemera sale visit:
www.biddleandwebb.co.uk