What does a booklover love more than books? Rare first editions and signed copies of those books.
In a first of its kind online auction tomorrow, bibliophiles can get their hands on Harry Potter books signed by J K Rowling, first edition of Vladimir Nobokov's "Lolita" and several other rare and collectible books.
Organised by Saffronart's online auction house, StoryLTD, the auction will bring under the hammer a collection of rare first edition classics, signed and limited edition books in Indian and world literature.
The two-day auction will incorporate books from various categories including art, photography, design, music, travel and sports.
The auction will include signed copies of "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire" and "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows" by its author J K Rowling on the slipcase.
"A Day in the Life -- Photographs of the Beatles by Michael Ward", signed by Ward himself and copy of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" signed and illustrated by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso will also be part of the list.
"We have held several successful book auctions in the past, but this is the first time we are focusing on first, signed and limited edition books.
"The auction is also the first of this genre to be held in India. The books are highly sought after in international markets, and we are attempting to build a market for the genre within India," a Saffronart spokesperson said.
The auction will also include first editions James Bond books by Ian Fleming along with two books signed by first woman prime minister of United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher.
"Religion and Society", authored and signed by former Indian president S Radhakrishnan, will also be included in the auction.
"Signed editions of books such as Harry Potter, which influenced an entire generation, or signed books by iconic Indian figures including cricketing legend Ranjitsinhji and former Indian president S Radhakrishnan, will appeal to collectors. We plan on establishing this category as a regular feature in our auction calendar," the spokesperson said.
Other categories include the World Travel Series, a set of 21 books; a set of five first edition books by Jim Corbett; "Raga Mala", the autobiography of Indian musician Ravi Shankar, signed by the author and accompanied by two CDs with 80 minutes of exclusive footage.
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