The Mongolian Translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The Mongolian edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published by Nepko Publishing in Ulaanbaatar in October 2009, with a confirmed limited print run of just 500 hardback copies. This makes it one of the rarest authorised translations in the entire Harry Potter series.

Copies that have surfaced over the years—both online and through private sales—are almost always in poor condition. They frequently lack the original dust jacket, and many show serious signs of wear: broken or loose bindings, damaged spines, and even taped repairs. This widespread deterioration likely reflects the fact that books in Mongolia are often not preserved as collectibles, but read extensively and handled casually. As a result, first edition copies in fine or near fine condition are exceptionally scarce.

Nepko went on to publish a translation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2011, again with a limited print run of 500 copies. In 2014, both titles were reprinted in paperback, also in editions of 500 each, as confirmed directly by the publisher. Even these paperbacks are difficult to find, particularly in collectible condition.

Today, the 2009 hardback edition is considered one of the most difficult translations to acquire for serious collectors. I currently hold two copies in my own collection. One of these is especially meaningful—it is the publisher’s archive copy, signed by Mr. Baabar and Mr. Tsenddoo, the founders of Nepko Publishing, both highly respected public figures and authors in Mongolia.

Fan Translations

Prior to the official publications, fan translations of the first two Harry Potter books circulated widely online in Mongolia. These grassroots efforts were shared via internet forums and intended to make the series accessible to local readers at a time when no authorised versions were available. While unofficial, these translations played a significant role in introducing the wizarding world to Mongolian readers and reflect the deep enthusiasm for the series long before it was formally published.