A RARE copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is set to fetch thousands of pounds at auction – 27 years after its owner bought it brand new for just a few pounds.
The first edition of the boy wizard’s literary debut in paperback format will go under the hammer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers on September 9th.
Shop assistant Jane Thompson-Webb of Erdington bought the book brand new in 1997 for £4.99 – less a 30% staff discount, making it about £3.50.
She said:
“I bought it myself when I was working in Ottakar’s bookshop in Birmingham.
“When the first Harry Potter came out, we reviewed it for an internal newsletter. I was 27 at the time and bought it because I wanted to read it – I’ve always read children’s stories.
“I remember people coming before Christmas to buy the book. But what really sticks in my mind is how many parents with little boys came after Christmas and the boys asked when the next book was coming out because they wanted to read the next story.
“This book got boys reading.”
Even at 52, Jane is still a Harry Potter fan and owns hardback copies of all series.
Her original first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in paperback format has been sitting “quite contentedly on my bookshelf” for the last 20 years.
Jane, Conservation Manager at Birmingham Museums Trust, decided to auction it after a clearance at home.
Auctioneer Richard Winterton said:
“This is an exceptional specimen and we expect great interest at the auction.
“If you think you have a first edition of the book – either softcover or hardcover – there are certain important things to look for. Look directly at the back cover, where the word ‘Philosopher’s’ should be missing an ‘o’. It will say ‘Appreciation for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’
“It also refers to ‘Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’ – this was later changed to ‘Witchcraft and Wizardry’.
“Check that the publisher is Bloomsbury and the last date listed in the copyright information is 1997. The print line on the copyright page should read: ’10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1′ and in the copyright information for the cover illustration by Thomas Taylor 1997 there should be no gap between his surname and the date – ‘Taylor1997’.”
“As with all early printings of the title, the copyright of the text is attributed to Joanne Rowling. Another item worth spotting is page 53, which contains a list of the school supplies Harry receives from Hogwarts. The entry “1 wand” appears twice, at the beginning and again at the end.
“We have estimated the value of this book at £3,000-£3,500 but hope it could reach £5,000 as the condition is stunning.”
The catalogue for the 9 September auction will be available to view one week before the sale at www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auction-dates.
