First edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' fetches $90,000 at auction
The edition is noted for its printed errors, including the misspelling of the title
December 13, 2020
A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been sold at auction, fetching a stupefying £68,000 ($90,000).
The book was one of 500 hardbacks printed in 1997, the first in JK Rowling's series about the "boy who lived".
Valued between £40,000 to £60,000, it went under the hammer at Bonhams Auction House in Knightsbridge, London, on Wednesday, December 9. The auction battle came down to two buyers who placed bids online and by phone.
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The early run of 500 books are noted for their mistakes. The author is listed as “Joanne Rowling” and the name of the novel is misspelt as “Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone” on the back cover.
Another error noted is the doubling of “1 wand” at the beginning and end of Harry’s school equipment list, along with a cauldron, crystal phials, a telescope, brass scales and the option of bringing an owl, cat or toad. Readers will know that the young wizard arrived with his snowy owl, Hedwig, an 11th birthday gift from Hagrid.
The particular edition that sold last week had a hand-written note from the author, reading: "With lots of love from Jo (also known as JK Rowling)."
Updated: December 13, 2020 11:57 AM
