Boots Worn by J.K. Rowling During the Writing of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" to Cross the Block on Proxibid

OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Harry Potter fans from across the globe will have the chance to own a rare piece of memorabilia when the boots worn by author J.K. Rowling as she penned the first book of her best-selling series cross the auction block in October.  The boots will be available for online bidding in a timed auction beginning Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 30 on Proxibid (www.proxibid.com), the world's largest real auction marketplace.  Bidders can log on and preview the boots beginning Tuesday, September 13 by visiting www.proxibid.com/boots.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110913/LA67630)

The boots were acquired by an elementary school student in December 1999 as part of a school project.  The student sent a questionnaire entitled "A Shoe Questionnaire," which asked about the "life" of a famous pair of shoes to Scholastic Press, the United States publisher of the Harry Potter series.  This questionnaire was then forwarded to J.K. Rowling.  Upon receipt, Ms. Rowling completed the questionnaire and in a remarkable gesture forwarded the boots along with her response back to the student.  After 12 years in the student's possession, she has decided to share the boots with Harry Potter enthusiasts from across the globe via this online auction.

"J.K. Rowling has served as an inspiration to parents and teachers everywhere, encouraging a generation of children to read in an age where video games take center court," said auctioneer Andrew Liakos of Blue Earth Benefit Auctions, who represents the consignor.  "We are thrilled to offer memorabilia from such an iconic figure to the millions of J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter fans across the globe.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won't want to miss."

The boots have been encased in a protective glass enclosure, made specifically for them, since December 1999.  They show signs of wear, as Ms. Rowling wore them quite often before sending them to the student.  According to the questionnaire, "My owner was wearing me when she wrote several chapters of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," and I liked that because it gave me a rest.  She also wore me when she was a teacher, and one boy made fun of me, which I didn't appreciate."

The boots and completed questionnaire, which includes J.K. Rowling's signature, will be available for online bidding beginning October 21 through October 30.  Create a Proxibid account and bid on the boots online by visiting www.proxibid.com/boots.

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/proxibid

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/proxibid

About Proxibid

Omaha-based Proxibid brings auctioneers and bidders together for a world-class online auction experience.  Since 2002, the Company has worked with more than 2,500 auctioneers to bring more than 35,000 auctions to a global, online audience.  With registered bidders from more than 190 countries, no other provider in the industry connects more buyers and sellers than Proxibid.  The Company's proprietary live Internet bidding service and Web site were developed by auctioneers and industry-leading professionals to provide our bidders with the most user-friendly and comprehensive online auction experience possible. 

Proxibid's customer service and support is unmatched in the industry.  The company's toll-free support center is open before, during and after every live auction, and is staffed with bi-lingual auction specialists who assist both bidders and auctioneers.  For more information about Proxibid, please visit us online at www.proxibid.com.

SOURCE Proxibid