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HARRY POTTER WILL FUND BOY’S FUTURE

An enterprising schoolboy is selling his signed first edition copy of a Harry Potter book to help to pay his way through university.

Matthew Lawson, 14, from Glenrothes, Fife, is expected to make more than £1,500 from the auction of the hardback of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which is in mint condition.

Matthew got the idea of selling the book after watching a television show about first editions. He then checked the book’s worth on the internet and was pleasantly surprised by what he found out.

Although he still has at least three years to go before he starts university, he decided to sell the book immediately. On average Scottish students finish with debts of £12,000.

“I want to go to university to do some sort of business course. Most of the money from selling the book will go to my university fund, because I know it costs a lot of money,” he said. “I am a great fan of J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and I am sure he would approve of me selling the book to pay for my education. After all, he was lucky enough to go to Hogwarts.”

The hardback, the second book in the Harry Potter series and now a successful film was a 10^th birthday present from his aunt, who bought it for £10.99 at Waterstone’s in Edinburgh four years ago. The book carries Rowling’s signature in blue ink. Fortunately Matthew’s aunt did not sign it as well, which would have reduced its worth.

Matthew’s mother, Lindsay Lawson, said she was delighted for her son. “I am impressed by his forward planning but not really surprised, because he is a very level-headed boy.”

THE TIMES, Jan. 30, 2003