SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2007--Amazon.com, Inc.
(NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced it has purchased J.K. Rowling's "The
Tales of Beedle the Bard" at an auction held by Sotheby's in London.
The book of five wizarding fairy tales, referenced in the last book of
the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," is
one of only seven handmade copies in existence. The book was purchased
for GBP 1,950,000, and Ms. Rowling is donating the proceeds to The
Children's Voice campaign, a charity she co-founded to help improve
the lives of institutionalized children across Europe.
"Even before establishing her charity, J.K. Rowling had done the
world a rare and immeasurably valuable service--enlarging forever our
concept of the way books can touch people--and in particular
children--in modern times," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and
CEO. "When we deliver Harry Potter, kids are camped out at the post
box, and the drivers get hugs."
"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" is handwritten, extensively
illustrated, and autographed by the author. It is written in an
Italian handmade notebook, bound in brown Moroccan leather and
embellished with five individually hand-chased hallmarked sterling
silver ornaments and mounted moonstones. It is 157 pages long. One of
the five original stories included in the book, "The Tale of the Three
Brothers," is told in the final Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows." This copy of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard"
purchased today is one of only seven copies handwritten and
illustrated by the author. The six other copies have been given to
friends of Ms. Rowling in appreciation of the support they provided
her throughout the writing of the Harry Potter series.
Amazon customers around the world are invited to visit
http://www.amazon.com/beedlebard to read editorial reviews of the five
fairy tales, and to join the online discussion of these and other
Harry Potter stories with other fans of the bestselling series. For
the curious of mind, Amazon editors will be taking questions about the
tales from all comers on our discussion boards, starting immediately.
Customers will also find a link to The Children's Voice website, where
donations to this charity can be made. To date, Amazon has sold more
than 12 million copies of the seven Harry Potter titles worldwide.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc., (Nasdaq:AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in
Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers
Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most
customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover
anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its
customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers
offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories
such as health and personal care, jewelry and watches, gourmet food,
sports and outdoors, apparel and accessories, books, music, DVDs,
electronics and office, toys and baby, and home and garden.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp,
www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and the Joyo Amazon websites at
www.joyo.cn and www.amazon.cn.
As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms
include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context
indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ
significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others,
risks related to competition, management of growth, new products,
services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating
results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and
claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial
agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange
rates, system interruption, significant amount of indebtedness,
inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud.
More information about factors that potentially could affect
Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and all
subsequent filings.
CONTACT: Amazon.com
Media Relations Hotline, 206-266-7180
www.amazon.com/pr
SOURCE: Amazon.com, Inc.
