Dad’s Rowling in it after sale

A HARRY Potter book a dad bought to help his children learn English more than 20 years ago has sold for £60,000.

A first-edition hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling, unearthed by Hansons Auctioneers books expert Jim Spencer, doubled its £20,000£30,000 estimate and sparked an international bidding battle.

Four phone bidders competed against internet bidders for the rare book - one of only 500 in the first Potter print-run in 1997. The hammer price was £60,000 but the total paid, with buyer’s premium, by a private international buyer was £75,000.

The owner was stunned to discover he had the ‘seriously scarce’ Potter book as it had been on a shelf for around 21 years when he randomly checked it.

The retired British expat, who worked in aviation and lives in Luxembourg, said:

“A couple of months ago when JKR bounced into the main news, I decided to re-read the Potter series. I knew there had been a few first editions sold recently.

“I did not think mine would be as valuable as it was. I was surprised and shocked to see that it did in fact tick all the boxes.

“I am absolutely delighted with the fantastic price achieved. I think the rarity of the book, the enthusiasm of Jim Spencer and the genius of JK Rowling all contributed to such a great result. The Harry Potter books are in the very top tier of literature for children and this first edition can only increase in value in the future.” Jim said: “I’m absolutely thrilled it achieved such an outstanding price. I ho hoped it would make £50,000 £50,000. It’s the highest price paid at Hansons for a hardback first e edition of Philosopher’s Ston Stone. It’s the fourth I have fou found in just over a year. Th The first one, a former li library book bought for £ £1, made £28,500.”