A rare first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" fetched an impressive £21,000 at an auction in Paignton on Saturday. The book, discovered among the belongings of a deceased man from Brixham, was initially destined for the trash. However, Daniel Pearce, who manages NLB Auctions in Paignton, identified its value and saved it from being discarded.
The auction attracted significant interest, with bids coming from attendees in the room, as well as phone and online participants. NLB Auctions strategically scheduled the lot for 16:00 GMT, ensuring that potential buyers from the west coast of the USA could also take part. This particular copy was part of the first print run of 500 copies, out of which only 300 were allocated to public libraries.
The book's rarity is highlighted by a notable misspelling of 'philosopher's' on its back cover, a characteristic feature that confirmed its first edition status. This error contributed to its high value at auction. The sale price of £21,000 was deemed an "absolutely great result" for this hardback edition, underscoring the continued demand for early prints of the iconic series.
Following the auction, the book was sent overseas, purchased by an unspecified buyer. The outcome reflects the enduring appeal of J.K. Rowling's work and the significance of first edition copies to collectors worldwide.
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