An incredibly rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has fetched more than £21,000 at auction. The item was discovered among the possessions of a deceased man from Brixham, who had slated the book for the bin. The book was part of the first print run, comprising only 500 copies, 300 of which were distributed to public libraries. Its authenticity was established due to a spelling mistake on the back cover, which got the title wrong.
Bidders both in the room and online vied for the first edition of the famous book, which went under the hammer at NLB Auctions in Paignton. Auctioneer, Daniel Pearce, who discovered the book and put it up for auction, argued the price was “an absolutely great result for a first edition hardback.”
The auction house scheduled the lot for 4:00 pm GMT to cater to the interested parties on the West Coast of the United States. However, the ownership rights eventually went overseas. Pearce said: “It’s made its way overseas, and it’s a really good result; the owner will be delighted as well with the money.”
The phenomenal success highlights how the widely-loved Harry Potter series continues to hold society in its grasp, even more than two decades later. Such a significant bidding will tempt enthusiasts once again to rummage through second-hand shops and boot sales, hoping to uncover some hidden treasure
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