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Germany
-German
-*Low German
Click HERE to watch my video about the Spell Box Set!
Click HERE to listen to the 1st Paragraph of Book 1 in German
Click HERE to listen to the 1st Paragraph of Book 1 in Low German
German
1st Edition
The 1st Edition German translations were translated by Klaus Fritz and published by Carlsen Verlag in 1998. They are quite easily found both inside and out of Germany and German-speaking areas. These German editions are some of the earliest Potter translations to be produced.
Difficulty - to -Find Rating: 3, Common
I also books 4-7 now too and will add when I can.
Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen
(Pre-Movie)
Harry Potter und der Gefangene von Askaban
(Pre-Movie)
Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch
ISBN: 978355155672
ISBN: 9783551551696
ISBN: 3551551936
1st Edition Softcover
Alongside the hardcover editions, Carlsen published softcover editions as well, which feature the same Sabine Wilharm cover art. All 7 books were published in this edition. And, like their hardcover counterparts, are fairly easily found In and outside of Germany.
ISBN: 9783551354013
Hardcover Adult Edition
Adult edition German translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, published by Carlsen Verlag in 2000. Theses books, at least in the States, seem to be a bit harder to track down than either of 1st edition soft and hardcover books. I thoroughly enjoy how lovely these covers are.
Difficulty - to Find Rating: 5, Not Too Common
ISBN: 3551552002
ISBN: 355155210x
ISBN: 3551552096
ISBN: 3551552533
ISBN: 3551552975
ISBN: 3551556008
ISBN: 9783551557001
Book Club Editions
I love this the cover of this German translation; from the moment, I saw it, I KNEW I had to own one--I mean, LOOK AT IT :) Anyway, this book too was printed before the movie (2000), which again you'll notice the font difference. Published by GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck. It seems like the hardest part of getting this particular edition is finding someone who will ship outside of Germany. So, make sure to ask your seller before purchasing.
Difficulty - to - Find Rating: 6, Somewhat Hard
ISBN: 054866
Here we have other early Book Club Editions, but I'm unsure which book club these are attached to. Again, the font is that of a book published before 2001 when the first movie came out and font changed around the world to match that of the movie title font. This book is around, more so on German e-commerce sites than US ones. This book club edition is a bit more common than the above, which I honestly think is mainly now because the above is just a prettier book, causing the demand to be higher for it than this one. All the same, I love the blue and orange with the piece of the trade 1st edition cover art.
Difficulty - to - Find Rating: 5, Not Too Common
I have the other book clubs (2-4) as well and will add when I can.
ISBN: 060509
Sets
Carlsen has released some of the loveliest Harry Potter sets, in my opinion. Always wonderful, distinct cover art and attention to detail throughout. They really are magnificent.
1-4 Box Set
This box set consists of only books 1 - 4. The front covers of this set look very similar to the 1st edition softcovers, with the exception of the light green border. The spines, though, make up a wonderful picture of Harry. The back covers also bear illustrations pertaining to that particular book. These books, as far as I know, were not sold separately. You can find them now without a box, but that is probably because the box was thrown out sometime in the past. The box for this set has wonderful illustrations and has the bar code for the set on the bottom.
ISBN: 3551553009
1 - 7 Box Set
Like this above set, published in 2010, has illustrations on the spine and back covers. They were not sold independently, so if you'd like this one, you more than likely have to buy the set. The front covers look similar to the 1st editions, only the border is turquoise/teal AND there are no title words -- just stand-alone illustrations. The box for my set was lost before it ever came to me, so I cannot speak to the box art, but I'm sure it's lovely, like everything else they produce.
ISBN: 9783551553492
This beautiful Spell Box Set is aptly named because it has spells on the side edge -- so very creative! It was publishing in 2013 by Carlsen. And while the box has beautiful art as well, like the other boxes by Carlsen, it's prone to tearing at the joints.
ISBN: 9783551313102
Difficulty -to - Find Rating: 8, Hard
Checkout my YouTube Video!
"Rainbow" Box Set
The German "Rainbow" box set is one that is favorite among Harry Potter collectors, and it's easy to see why with its vibrant colors, minimal yet fun spine art and charming covers. Like the rest of the German books, when I first saw this set, I KNEW I had to buy it - and I did with the help of a wonderful Potterhead from Germany! I'll post the individual book photos as soon as I can. For those wanting to see a glimpse of the covers, I have a few pictures of them up on my Instagram.
I'll post more information on this set as soon as I can as well.
Special Editions
Alongside having beautiful 1 - 7 sets, Carlsen has produced lovely special editions of the books as well. So far these special editions have ben illustrated by Sabina Wilharm. In 2018, Carlsen released their 20th Anniversary Editions, which featured not only new illustrations by a new illustrator (Iacopo Bruno), the revised the textblock. This revised texblock also found itself in the 2018 Special Edition.
There is a new Special Edition out mid 2022 as well and I will add that one as soon as I can.
ISBN: 9783551315120
ISBN: 9783551317254
20th Anniversary Edition
The German 20th Anniversary Books were published by Carlsen Verlag in 2018. Unlike most other German books, a different illustator, Iacopo Bruno, illustrated the books, and I think he did a great job! Also, this edition was revised in certain places to help continuity. All 7 books available at Carlsen.de
Difficulty to Find Rating for all 7 books: 3, Common
I actually own this beautiful box set and will update as soon as I can!
Title: Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen
ISBN: 9783551557414
Translator: Klaus Fritz
Format: Hardcover, no jacket
Title: Harry Potter und die Kammer des Schreckens
ISBN: 9783551557421
Translator: Klaus Fritz
Format: Hardcover, no Jacket
Title: Harry Potter und der Gefangene von Askaban
ISBN: 9783551557438
Translator: Klaus Fritz
Format: Hardcover, no Jacket
Low German
The 1st Edition Low German translations of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, published by Verlag Michael Jung in 2002. This translation is increasingly becoming scarce, especially at a decent price. I'm assuming, given the lower number of speakers and social status of the language that this book wasn't widely printed or distributed. Only the 1st 2 books were published. To learn more about Low German, click here.
Title: Harry Potter un de Wunnersteen
ISBN: 9783898820127
Translators: Hartmut Cyriacks; Peter Nissen; et al.
Format: Hardcover, no Jacket
Difficulty to Find Rating: 8, Hard
Title: Harry Potter un de grulig Kamer
ISBN: 3898820181
Translators: Hartmut Cyriacks; Peter Nissen; et al.
Format: Hardcover, No Jacket
Difficulty-to-Find Rating: 8, Hard