£1 SCHOOL FETE BOOK COULD FETCH £30,000!
FIRST EDITION WAS BOUGHT AT SCHOOL FETE IN THE COUNTY
A PRIMARY school teacher who lost her life to breast cancer 16 years ago has left her daughters a “lovely legacy” in the form of a Harry Potter novel worth tens of thousands of pounds.
She had bought the first edition hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone at a fete at Ravenstone County Primary School, near Coalville, for about £1 in 2003.
Thanks to the amazing success of the JK Rowling books, the 1997 book is now expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hanson’s auction house.
The woman’s daughters, who have not been named by the auctioneers, were quoted as saying how startled they were by the value of the book, which is one of just 500 produced in the first print run.
Her 31-year-old eldest daughter, who lives in Burton, said: “The book, which has been gathering dust on a shelf for years, is a Harry Potter first edition.
“We were really shocked to find out it’s worth £20,000 to £30,000.
“I couldn’t believe it when Hansons Auctioneers confirmed it was genuine and told me the estimate.
“It was like one of those moments on TV’s Antiques Roadshow.
“When Mum bought the book all those years ago she would have had no idea it would end up being so valuable.”
The primary school teacher, who lived in Derbyshire, was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 36 and died, aged 44, in 2005.
Her daughter said she was always passionate about encouraging her four children to read and filled the house with books.
The book is due to be sold in Hansons’ Harry Potter Hogwarts Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, on Wednesday, May 5.
It is the 10th book of its kind the auction house has uncovered in the past 18 months.
Similar editions have sold for prices ranging from £17,500 to £68,000, depending on their condi tion. The teacher’s daughter said: “Mum has left us a fantastic gift thanks to her passion for books and her determination to encourage us to read.
“She loved books. There was always one by her bedside. I remember a study in our home being filled floor to ceiling with books.
“She made us look after them, too. We always had to put them away.
“Consequently, it’s in pretty good condition, even though we all read it.
“She was a teacher through and through and a wonderful mum.”
She said the family realised they might be sitting on something special shortly before Christmas.
“The book was on a shelf at my dad’s house in South Derbyshire,” she said.
“Dad had seen a couple of news stories about Potter first editions selling for a lot of money and started Googling and printing off the information to show me.
“Dad gave me the book and said, ‘I think it’s time for you to have this, the book might be valuable.’
“Mum was always buying things at fetes, fairs and car boot sales. She bought the book at a fete at Ravenstone County Primary School, we think just before it closed in 2003.
“They must have been having a clear out. It’s been on a book shelf ever since. No one will read it again and it’s gathering dust, so we decided it’s time to sell it to someone who will appreciate it. It’s a lovely legacy for mum.
“The money will be split between four sisters and will be much appreciated, especially by my youngest sister who is only 21.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “A mother’s love lasts forever and this unexpected gift for her daughters seems heaven sent.
“The sale of this book is a delightful way to remember a teacher who did everything she could to help her daughters and whose time was cut short far too soon.
“I’m looking forward to making some magical memories at auction.”