09 February 2025 , 11:02
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After going under the hammer, a first edition of JK Rowling’s debut Harry Potter novel has sold for 18,000 pounds ($22,329).
The copy of "Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone," which was one of the first 500 printed in 1997, was sold on Saturday by NLB Auctions based in Paignton, Devon.
It features a spelling error of "Philosopher’s” on the rear cover and "1 wand” is listed twice in a list of equipment on page 53.
The novel, which was predicted to fetch between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds, sold for 18,000 pounds.
Auctioneers described the book as a "good example of an extremely scarce first edition first issue” with light wear and tear.
It was one of the 300 library editions as it has a library stamp on its title page and signs of a previous library slip card.
Another early paperback edition of the novel, which featured some damage to the spine and cover, was sold for 1,300 pounds.
Upon its release, publishers produced only a small number of copies because of uncertainty about whether or not the book would prove popular.
The series, which includes seven books adapted into blockbuster movies, became one of the most popular in the world.
A first edition of "Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone" was auctioned for 45,201 pounds in June last year, while a pristine first edition copy sold for 69,000 pounds in March 2022.