Wizard Harry still proves magic for fan 20 years on

WELSH fans of a teenage wizard are getting ready to party.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was let loose on Muggles on June 26, 1997 and has since sold more than 450 million copies worldwide in 79 languages.

Cardiff collector Tracey Nicol-Lewis, 43, has managed to get her hands on some rare collector items ahead of today’s anniversary – with piece so rare, it’s the only one in the UK.

Despite owning nearly 2,000 items in her collection, she has bagged a replica bust of Argus Filch, the Hogwarts Caretaker, which cost around £400.

She said: “I cannot believe it has been 20 years already, and I still love the book like I did at the beginning.

“This year there has been so much excitement to do with Harry Potter. My bust arrived just last week in time to display in my collection and all the stars I wanted to meet (who I haven’t already met) are in London next month, so it is just amazing,

“Reading Harry Potter was magical when it was first released – it helped me through a rough time.

“Twenty years has gone so fast and yet is still as magical as the first time I read the book.

“Excited is an understatement as to how I’m feeling, I can’t wait to enjoy myself in all the festivities with all the other Potterheads out there.

“My wand is ready for another magical adventure. I will be potterfied from head to toe.”

She will spend the anniversary at Penarth Library at a special exhibition before enjoying her own movie night complete with Honeydukes sweets from the films. Her son, who is also Potter-mad, is going to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London for the day.

Tracey started her collection of memorabilia when her husband died suddenly.

She said: “I started the collection around 10 years ago. My husband used to buy me the books and, in 2005, he reserved Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. But he died before the book came out, so that was his last gift.

“Previously, my grandfather and father had passed away in an 18-month period, so there were three deaths in 24 months. Harry Potter was something for me to cling to.”

Now she has nearly 2,700 items and reckons it is the biggest collection in south Wales.

Partner Martin Chester said she just “won’t stop”, especially as spin-off films come out. But Tracey is thrilled she might finally meet the Weasley twins – played by James and Oliver Phelps – at Comic Con next month.