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Harry Potter fan named Britain's biggest collector

Victoria in Harry Potter costumeImage source, PA
Image caption,

Victoria's collection has more than 9,000 pieces of Harry Potter memorabilia

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A Harry Potter super fan with more than 9,000 items in a collection worth 拢250,000 has been labelled Britain鈥檚 biggest collector.

Victoria Maclean, 44, from Neath, has continued to grow her collection over the past 20 years.

She bought her first piece after reading The Philosopher's Stone and owns an item worth about 拢35,000.

She even named her youngest son Harry - and said her collection was in "almost every single part of the house".

Ms Maclean said: "My mum was a big Harry Potter collector.

"When she passed away nine years ago, my collection became more of an obsession and it basically took over my life."

She was awarded Britain's Biggest Collection by Airtasker, a local services marketplace, in February 2024.

She said: "Harry Potter is something that is obviously fiction, you can鈥檛 visit Hogwarts so I wanted to bring Hogwarts to me."

Victoria鈥檚 home is full of robes, hats, wands and numerous other pieces, which she said were displayed all around the house.

Image source, PA
Image caption,

The handmade gold leaf cabinet, which is worth 拢35,000 and holds a miniature replica of Dumbledore's office, also houses Victoria's mum's ashes

She added: "The only place my collection isn鈥檛 seen is in my children鈥檚 rooms.

"Their rooms are Harry Potter-free apart from a few items in my youngest son鈥檚 room, who's named after Harry.

"But it鈥檚 everywhere else. It鈥檚 in almost every single part of the house.

"It鈥檚 in boxes, cupboards, wardrobes, drawers, trunks, in the attic, under the bed.

"At work I have a uniform so I put on my Harry Potter socks underneath because no-one can see it.鈥

Victoria runs a YouTube channel with more than 27,000 followers where she shares her love for the franchise.

Her favourite item in her collection is a cabinet containing a handmade 24-carat golf leaf miniature replica of Dumbledore鈥檚 office, worth an estimated 拢35,000.

She said: "I am passionate about my Harry Potter Collection which brings joy not only to myself and my family, but also to the community.

"Being one of the biggest collectors globally, I鈥檓 thrilled to fly the flag for the UK, where the wizarding world originated."

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