A rare hardback copy of JK Rowling's 1998 "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" book, the second in the famous series, was donated to the Oxfam shop in St Andrews and went on sale on Sunday.

The shop's owners are very impressed with the anonymous donation and have expressed their gratitude at the charitable gesture.

Kay Dewar, shop manager, said, as quoted by BBC: "We were thrilled when the book was donated but didn't realize how much it could be worth until we did some research. Oxfam would like to thank the anonymous donor for such a generous gift.

"The Harry Potter series has become a publishing phenomenon and I am hoping the auction will be successful with the boy wizard's magic helping Oxfam raise vital funds for poverty reduction in developing countries."

"The Chamber of Secrets" was published at a time when Potter-mania had not hit the world yet. The screed adaptation of the first Potter book in the series was still to come. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was released in 2000, with "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" reaching cinemas worldwide in 2002.

The charity has announced JK Rowling fans of the book's availability - they have the opportunity to bid for the book in a silent auction that ends Saturday, July 28. The copy is reportedly in very condition and the starting price is £350.

Experts expect the book to be sold for as much as £1500. Those interested in placing a bid will be able to admire the book in the shop, where it will be on display.

It is possible that rare editions of Harry Potter books will continue to sprout and entice diehard fans to add them to their collections. In June, a first edition copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" sold for £9000 at an auction in London. It was one of only 500 produced in the first print run in 1997.

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