The Harry Potter book that turned into gold

MAGIC IN ACTON – FIRST EDITION OF JK ROWLING NOVEL SELLS FOR THOUSANDS AT AUCTION

We’re all familiar with JK Rowling’s fantasy novel which follows young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Before the magical tales were made in spectacular movies, the first ever book in the series was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone which was first published in June 1997.

And one copy of the novel just sold for an eye-watering amount.

Buyers at Chiswick Auctions, in Colville Road, Acton, must have seen some ‘Lumos Maximus’ on the auction block when an original copy of the book sold for an astonishing price.

The hard-back copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first edition was first set at a pre-sale low estimate of £15,000 to £20,000 at the auction’s Books And Works On Paper sale on Wednesday, September 25.

The book which featured the words ‘1 wand’ twice in the list on page 53, had its original pictorial boards, restored and re-laminated to a high standard, new end-papers, original end-paper book and library ink stamp to the verso of its title page.

While other first editions are usually very worn, this copy was in good condition which may explain why it sold for £27,500.

Considering the book is 22 years old, the red cover of the book shows Harry positioned in front of a famous Hogwarts Express train with limited scuffs.

In total there are seven Harry Potter books in the series so you may want to check under your bed to see if you have a rare copy lying around.

IMAGES: CHISWICK AUCTIONS

A first edition Harry Potter book has sold for £275,000