Harry Potter first edition goes to auction
A PAPERBACK first edition of the debut Harry Potter book is expected to fetch up to £2,000 at auction next month.
The initial pressings of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling are notable for their errors such as spelling mistakes and other printing oversights. Among them are ‘Philosopher’s’ misspelled ‘Philospher’s’ on the back cover, ‘Wizardry and Witchcraft’ on the rear cover, rather than the other way around on later copies as ‘Witchcraft and Wizardry’.
Also ‘one wand’ appears as ‘1 wand’ twice on page 53, this is corrected in later pressings.
This first book in the series was first published in the UK on June 26, 1997, and has sold in excess of 120 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
This rare copy was brought in by a member of the public from the Carmarthen area to Rogers Jones and Co Auctioneers at their office in the town’s Picton Terrace.
The book will go under the hammer at its Selections and Collections auction on July 24 in Cardiff.
Auctioneer Charles Hampshire was left stunned having authenticated the book as being a true first edition.
He said: “We receive many enquiries relating to Harry Potter books and rarely do they turn out to be a rare copy.
“This rare copy comes with the now famous print and spelling mistakes and will be offered with an estimate of £1,000 to £2,000.
It is 24 years since the release of the book and the auctioneers are looking forwarded to wielding their wands on the rostrum come auction day.