A rare first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has been discovered among the possessions of a deceased man in Brixham. The book, identified by several printing errors, including the misspelling of "philosopher's," is one of only 500 copies from the book's original print run. This particular edition, intended for library use, is among the 300 copies distributed to public libraries.
The book's condition is remarkable, especially for a library edition that has been stored on a shelf for 20 years. A £2 pencil mark on its first page indicates it was once checked out from a library. The family of the late owner, who unearthed the book, are thrilled with the unexpected discovery. The auctioneer, Daniel Pearce, anticipates that the book will fetch up to £40,000 at auction. This valuation follows a similar sale in November, where another copy fetched £42,000, including fees.
"It's our biggest find. The family are delighted, they didn't expect it at all… it will be important money for them, and it has been sat on a shelf for 20 years." – Daniel Pearce
The discovery of this edition highlights both its rarity and desirability among collectors. With only 300 library editions ever produced and distributed, the demand for these copies remains high. Pearce emphasized the significance of this find, noting its potential as one of the most expensive contemporary first edition copies available on the market.
"You pop into a property hoping to find something valuable." – Daniel Pearce
The family views this rare find as a fortuitous windfall. While they had no expectations of such a discovery, the book's value represents a significant financial opportunity. Collectors are expected to show great interest in acquiring this piece of literary history.
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