MuggleNet Throwback: Release dates for “Chamber of Secrets”, “Prisoner of Azkaban”, and “Goblet of Fire”

by · July 4, 2012

Our MuggleNet Throwback this week takes a look at several of the most of the most exciting book releases from the Harry Potter series.

While Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be forever celebrated as the largest and most anticipated book release worldwide, three of the books from the series were released during this particular week:

  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – released on July 2nd, 1998
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – released on July 8th, 1999
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – released on July 8th, 2000

As for the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire release date, it was the first in the series to be released simultaneously in both the UK and the USA. This release was the largest event of its kind at the time, as the fandom had grown at an exponential rate.

In fact, to celebrate the release of Goblet of Fire, Bloomsbury painted the Taw Valley No. 34027 steam locomotive red and dubbed it the Hogwarts Express, carrying J.K. Rowling and a multitude of press for a book signing tour. The train tour started at King’s Cross ,with signs placed for Platform 9 3/4 and travelled to Didcot Railway Centre, Kidderminster, the Severn Valley Railway, Crewe (overnight stop), Manchester, Bradford, York, the National Railway Museum (overnight stop), Newcastle, Edinburgh, arriving at Perth on July 11.

Where were you during the release of these three books? Were you a member of the fandom yet? Tell us your story in the comments below.