Harry Potter fans of the world, take note: the police are asking for your help. A rare prequel to the series was stolen between April 13-24.
J.K. Rowling, author of the series, wrote an 800-word prequel manuscript on two sides of a postcard in 2008. The manuscript and jewelry were stolen from a house in Birmingham, England, last month, according to reports.
Police have not yet located the thief, but they had a smart thought: it would help to engage the series’ rabid fan base.
“The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans,” Paul Jauncey, the investigating officer, said, according to NBC News. “We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police.”
Rowling also tweeted a plea for no one to buy the stolen manuscript.
The untitled story sold for 25,000 pounds, or a little over $32,000. The story reportedly involved Harry’s dad, James Potter, escaping from the police as a boy, thanks to the help of some magic.
