J.K. Rowling's latest work auctions for a whopping $4m

She's done it again! This leather bound book one of only seven copies, handwritten by J.K. Rowling, the author who brought us  Harry Potter,  sold for $4 million US Dollars, at an auction last night. The buyer? - None other than US online retailer, Amazon.com.

The book entitled "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" contains five wizarding fairy tales. What makes it extra special is that all seven copies, each containing 157 pages, have been handwritten, illustrated and autographed by J.K. Rowling herself. The author has gifted six of the seven copies to her best friends. The proceeds of the auction of the seventh book will be donated to a children's charity called "The Children's Voice campaign", an organization co-founded by the author.

Besides the seven who own the book, nobody knows what the fairy tales are about. Additionally, the sale agreement prevents Amazon.com to publish the tales.

Instead, Amazon in planning to review each one of the tales on its website in the next few days. They have already reviewed the first one called  "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot". You can read the reviews and view some great pictures of the book at www.amazon.com/beedlebard.

However J.K. Rowling did provide some clues on her new book in the final Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". In the book, it was a gift left by headmaster Albus Dumbledore to Harry's friend Hermione, and provides clues that help destroy evil Lord Voldemort.

The seven books are J.K. Rowling's way of saying goodbye to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, which has been part of her life for 17 years, and for thanking all those people who have helped her during this time.

Not only is the book beautiful from the inside, it is gorgeous to look at from the outside. Bound in brown Moroccan leather and mounted with silver and semiprecious stones, it is written on hand-made Italian paper. You can take a peak at it by clicking on the video below.

Sources: Amazon.com