December 2023 Auction Ends Thursday, December 14th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2023
The most coveted book in the Harry Potter canon, the first edition, first printing hardback of J.K. Rowling's first novel, ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''. This book is one of only 500 hardback copies published in the first printing, more scarce and collectible than the softcover published at the same time.
With all first printing points present, including ''First published in Great Britain in 1997'' on the copyright page, along with ''Joanne Rowling'' credited rather than J.K., and no space between Thomas Taylor and the copyright date (''Taylor1997''). Full number line ''10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'' is present, as is the 10.99 pound price on rear board, Wendy Cooling quote to front board, and the spelling error of ''Philospher's'' on rear board. Other early printing points are also present, including the repeat of ''1 wand'' on page 53, and ''highchair'' on page 8.
Since most of the 500 copies of the hardcover book were intended for library use, the number of extant copies is unknown, though estimated to be significantly fewer than the 500 published. All 500 were issued without a dust jacket, which wasn't introduced until the third printing. Book measures 5.25'' x 8'' and runs 223 pages. This copy has been professionally restored, which is common since they were distributed to libraries, including a rebacked spine with original laid down, board retouching and the removal of several library stamps and labels. The front free endpaper is also missing. Overall in very good condition. A hallmark of children's literature, one of the few hardback copies still available.
First Edition, First Printing Hardback of ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' by J.K. Rowling -- One of Only 500 Copies, the Book That Started It All
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