Harry Potter superfan achieves world record for biggest memorabilia collection
'The Niffler is well and truly out of the bag'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Harry Potter superfan has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest Harry Potter memorabilia collection in the world.
Victoria Maclean, from the village of Tonna in North Peat Talbot, Wales, has accumulated an impressive collection of 3,686 items, consisting of official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts merchandise.
Ms Maclean has surpassed the previous record of 3,097 pieces, which had been held by Menahem Asher Silva Vargas of Mexico City, Mexico since 2013.
While there’s no doubt that author J. K. Rowling’s wizarding world plays a significant role in Ms Maclean’s life, featured prominently on the collector’s YouTube channel, the 38-year-old wasn’t always the self-professed Harry Potter superfan that she is today.
In fact, Ms Maclean only read the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, four years after its publication in 1997.
“Everyone kept going on about this wonderful boy wizard, this amazing story that people were becoming immersed in that took you away to somewhere magical,” Ms Maclean told Guinness World Records.
“I finally gave in in 2001, I picked up the first book and have never looked back since.”
Soon after reading the first book at the age of 21 while pregnant with her eldest son, Ms Maclean began her journey towards becoming one of the most accomplished memorabilia collectors in the world.
One of the most coveted pieces in Ms Maclean’s collection was sourced from Japan – a 24-carat gold plated Golden Snitch puzzle.
Anyone who’s well-versed with the rules of the airborne game of Quidditch will know how valuable the Golden Snitch is, earning 150 points for the team whose Sneeker catches it and ending the game.
However, this Golden Snitch is especially valuable, as it’s only one of 5,000 that were made.
Ms Maclean felt especially determined to build on her Harry Potter memorabilia collection due to her disabilities.
“I have disabilities – I have dyslexia dyspraxia, ADHD and SPLD. Unfortunately that leaves me with a lot of problems with things like educational learning, putting things into categories or being able to do things the same as an average person,” she said.
“However when someone tells me I can’t do something, even because I’ve got disabilities, I’m the type of person that would show them.”
Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter in the film franchise, also has dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder which can affect movement and coordination.
As for which Hogwarts House Ms Maclean would be placed in by the Sorting Hat, the world record holder says she’s a combination of two.
“I associate being a Ravenclaw and a Slytherin... I think I’d be a Slytherclaw!” she states.
Ms Maclean’s memorabilia collection was inspected by two independent witness, one of whom was a specialist in official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts merchandise.
Her certificate for having the largest collection of Wizarding World memorabilia was presented to her at her home in February.
“The Niffler is well and truly out of the bag,” Ms Mclean wrote when she announced her achievement on Instagram.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments