Harry Potter fans in New York will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view one of only seven original copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, created, hand-written, and illustrated by J. K. Rowling.

The book will be on display at The New York Public Library from December 4, 2008 to January 4, 2009: Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY. The book is free to view.

The original copy is made available for public viewing with permission of Arthur A. Levine, Scholastic co-editor of all seven books in the Harry Potter series. Arthur was one of only six people to receive an original Beedle — as a personal gift from the author last year.

The seventh copy was given to the Children's High Level Group for the charity to auction in December 2007.

Fans everywhere can buy their own copy of the book on December 4, 2008.

Learn more about The Tales of Beedle the Bard.