The deluxe illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a beautiful representation that will be appreciated by serious collectors. It was published on November 12, 2015, and there were a limited number of these books printed.
The price was daunting, but I couldn't resist and purchased this book. It was well worth the price and I am so glad I did. Words do not describe how beautiful this edition is! The biggest surprise for me, though, was how big this book is!
Included is a hardcover slipcase, so you can keep the book in the case. It also has a cardboard box, which it is shipped in (if you buy it new - used might not have the box). The box is perfect for storing the book if you don't want to risk damaging it, and has the outline of a purple Golden Snitch on it.
This is the same book as the illustrated edition, but there are a several important differences. I have created a table to make it easier to see how they differ.
Deluxe Illustrated Edition 
| Illustrated Edition 
| |
Illustrator | Jim Kay | Jim Kay |
Number of Illustrations | 100+ | 100+ |
Size | 11 x 13 x 2 inches | 6 x 10 3/4 x 1 inches |
Weight | 7 lbs, 8 oz. | 3 lbs, 4 oz. |
Printed in Italy | Yes | No |
Slipcase | Yes | No |
Dust Jacket | No | Yes |
Gold Gilt Edges | Yes | No |
Ribbon Bookmark | Yes (2 - 1 yellow, 1 purple) | Yes (1 - red) |
2 1/2 Foot Removable | Yes | No |
Cardboard Storage Box | Yes | No |
As you can see in the table above, this version of the Jim Kay's illustrated book has a large poster, seen below. I was blown away by the detail in the poster! It is gorgeous. I also want to say that the same image of Diagon Alley is in the smaller book, but it is part of the book and spread across two pages, not a poster that you can open and take out of the book. FYI - This book also has the image in its pages, but the poster lets you see all the amazing aspects of the drawings.
Here is a video that I made of me unboxing this book. One of the things that I do in the video is compare this book to the smaller illustrated book and a regular edition book.
Hello!
Thank you for sharing the comparison of two versions.
May I ask you about the difference in the quality of printing of the illustrations in regular and deluxe version – how much the colors differ in the two versions, whether the details of the illustrations are represented equally well, etc.
How noticeable is the difference between the versions in terms of print quality?
Which version do you personally prefer?
These are good questions. I regret that I am answering from memory because these are currently packed as we get ready to move. I feel confident in saying that the colors are the same. As for print quality, I’m not sure since I’d need to look at and touch both books to properly answer this. Which do I prefer? That’s hard to answer. I love the deluxe versions of these books but I keep them safely in their cardboard boxes. I consider them collectible items and treat them as such. When it comes to reading, I’ll read the regular versions because I can easily replace those if anything happens to them. I hope this is helpful.
Hi Rochelle! I’m choosing which edition to buy and I’m wondering about the size of the font in the deluxe edition vs the regular illustrated edition. The regular edition already has pretty large font, is the deluxe version even larger? Also, is the deluxe version comfortable to hold and read? Thanks in advance for your help!
Valentina,
Please accept my apology for not seeing this until now.
Re: Font size – Unfortunately my books are currently packed up so I’m not able to confirm if the text is larger for the deluxe edition, but it’s possible, I honestly don’t know and wish I could check.
Re: Holding the deluxe edition – The regular illustrated edition is pretty big but the deluxe edition is MUCH larger. I don’t think you’d find it comfortable at all to hold. It’s the kind of book you’ll read in your lap or on a table, not held in your hands.
I hope this helps.
Rochelle
Hello, thank you for sharing. For some reason, I have only recently learned about these deluxe editions. I’m trying to compare prices on ebay and amazon but I was wondering if you recall how much the book originally cost when it was originally released?
If I remember correctly the original MSRP price was around $180. However, I bought it for much less on eBay.
Hello,
Would you consider to sell this book? I really like it. Please contact me via email.
No, I cherish this book and have no plans to ever sell it. I recommend looking on eBay since that’s where I bought mine.
Hello Rochelle,
I recently found out, that there has been published a Deluxe Illustrated Collector’s Edition of The Philosopher’s Stone und that there also will be published a Deluxe Illustrated Collector’s Edition of The Chamber of Secrets on November 29th.
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Sorcerers-Stone-Illustrated/dp/0545919665/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=fortheloveofharry-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=XM7TJHSP7QJCPSZ3&creativeASIN=0545919665
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Chamber-Secrets-Illustrated/dp/1338119869/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477829601&sr=8-3&keywords=Harry+potter+illustrated+collectors+edition
Unfortunately I haven’t been able figuring out what exactly the differences are between both editions, the deluxe illustrated and the collector’s. The descriptions are almost the same, indicating when at all just a slight difference. However, the difference in price is huge, almost doubled! For me, it’s impossible to make a decision which version I am going to buy without knowing all the details. And I am angry because distributors and publishers don’t even seem to care to communicate such details.
I’d be glad if you have some information about this and could share it with us.
Greetings,
A Fan (from Germany – sorry for my bad english)
Fabian,
I love that you found my site all the way from Germany! (I’m in the USA, which you probably already knew.)
The two books are identical as far as the stories and illustrations, but the deluxe illustrated editions are a lot bigger and have several features that the lesser priced ones have. I created a chart that goes over the differences so that might be helpful to you. I also created a video that shows some of the differences. You can find both the chart and video on this page.
Was there anything else that you wanted to know about the differences between the two versions?
Rochelle
Rochelle,
So you are absolutely sure, there is no difference between the “third” version I found and the regular Deluxe Illustrated Edition? Because they even have a different ISBN.
Do you know whether there is an “american-customers-only”-version for the Deluxe Illustrated Edition as there was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone? That could explain the price difference even though I am not familiar with the american bookmarket.
Just for the sake of it:
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Chamber-Secrets-Deluxe/dp/1408876833/ref=pd_sbs_21_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1408876833&pd_rd_r=S310M7CQ0YYQ1V35T8BY&pd_rd_w=tk8w0&pd_rd_wg=ojdv7&psc=1&refRID=S310M7CQ0YYQ1V35T8BY
Thats the regular Deluxe Illustrated Edition published by Bloomsbury, ISBN 1408876833. I am pretty sure this one is the UK-Version.
And thats the second one:
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Chamber-Secrets-Illustrated/dp/1338119869/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478219421&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Harry+potter+and+the+chamber+of+secrets+collectors+deluxe+illustrated
As you can see in the title, it has the addition “collector’s edition”, is published by Arthur A. Levine Books (which doesn’t list the title in their catalogue) and has the different ISBN 1338119869.
If it is the American version, shouldn’t it been published by Scholastic? Nevertheless, that might be the solution.
Warmest regards,
Fabian
Fabian,
Although I am not 100% sure, I feel confident in saying that these are the same. The only difference that there might be is US vs. UK wording, depending on which part of the world this books was published for (there is a US version and UK versions of all HP books). However, I think they were ALL published in Italy, if I remember correctly, so the pictures, protective case, and so on would be the same.
As for the publishers, you are right that Scholastic has the US publication rights to the HP books. I looked up the Arthur A. Levine company and found that it is part of Scholastic – http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/faq.asp.
I bought mine from Amazon and it is being shipped from the UK (it was a LOT less expensive). I’ll make a video as soon as I get it.
I hope this helps.
Rochelle
Yes, thank you very much. That Arthur A. Levine is part of Scholastic explains a lot.
I already received my Deluxe Illustrated Edition from England (due to the Brexit the currency exchange rate was pretty convenient) and I’m absolutely happy.
Thanks again.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your unboxing video and pointing out the differences between the two illustrated editions. May I ask, how is the paper quality of the Deluxe Illustrated Edition? Is it thicker? Is it written there if the paper used is acid free? Thank you!
Pia,
These are great questions! I hadn’t thought about checking the thickness of the papers in the two books. I opened both books and the paper is definitely thicker in the deluxe illustrated edition. As for being acid free, I don’t know, nor could I find information about this. So, I sent emails to both Bloomsbury and Scholastic (the publishers of these books, one is in the UK and the other is in the US) asking about this. I’ll let you know what they say.
Rochelle
I am also wondering about the acidity of the paper. It doesn’t seem to be anywhere on the Internet. Nor can I find it anywhere in the book. I’m debating about the whole set as the books each come out.or just the first. To go with my collection of philosopher stones
I wish I could tell you one way or the other but neither Bloomsbury nor Scholastic has gotten back to me regarding this matter. I’ll be sure to update this post if I do find out.