Rowling, J.K. - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
The first edition, first impression of the work, one of only 500 copies printed
£48,750
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: Day One: 24 February 2021 | From 10:00
Description
London: Bloomsbury, 1997. First edition, first impression, with the 10-1 numberline on the publisher's imprint page, hardcover, 8vo, original publisher's pictorial laminated boards, library circulation label indicating withdrawal, laminated barcode to front free endpaper and neat label pasted to publication page, some restoration work, very slight browning and slight soiling internally including a couple of small ink marks to first page, star stamp to upper edge
Footnote
Note: Few books have inspired the imaginations of a generation of children like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The franchise has now expanded to encompass eight Harry Potter films, two Fantastic Beasts films, a sell-out stage play, three theme parks and a studio tour. As of 2016, the Harry Potter industry was estimated to be worth $25 billion. It is therefore very poignant to encounter the point at which all this began: J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was published in London, by Bloomsbury, in 1997. Unsure of its success, the publishers issued only 500 copies of the first edition, first impression in hardback.
The book is the jewel in a Harry Potter collector’s crown. This copy, being one of the 500 first impression hardbacks produced, has the numberline reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the publisher’s imprint page, the publisher is listed as Bloomsbury, the error of ‘1 wand’ is listed twice in Harry’s school equipment list and ‘Philosopher’ is misspelt ‘Philospher’ on the lower cover. It is an exceptionally rare book to find.
Wendy Cooling's review on the upper cover states: "A terrific read and a stunning first novel", another key issue point of the first edition, first impression. The book is indeed a story that has captured the hearts of generations around the world, with this copy representing the birth of a true classic.