The rare proof copy of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’Hansons Auctioneers
It’s a magical discovery that could be worth up to £20,000 ($25,000).
A school close to Oxford has found a proof copy of JK Rowling‘s first Harry Potter novel after fearing that the ultra-rare book had been lost. Only 200 copies were believed to have been printed by Bloomsbury.
The book, which even spells Rowling’s name as JA Rowling at one point, was purchased in 1997 for £1 by St Kenelm’s Primary School in the English village of Minster Lovell.
It was available in the school’s library but went largely untouched as children preferred to pick up editions of the novel with illustrated covers.
The school removed it from the library in 2002 after recognizing that the book may be valuable, but it went missing in 2015 and there were concerns it had been trashed with other old paperbacks. It was then rediscovered this year during a spring clean.
The uncorrected edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the U.S.) is now being auctioned by Hansons Auctioneers on Tuesday. St Kenelm’s Primary School will use the money to help local children embrace literature.
Bob Alder, St Kenelm’s School’s retired headteacher, said: “It was quite by luck that the Harry Potter was spotted in the sale. It had none of the attractiveness of a typical child’s paperback.
“It cost £1. It was not thought to have any value. However, it was known from press coverage that the story was something special, and to read extracts to the children would encourage them to own their own copy.”
Jim Spencer, head of books at Hansons, said: “This book is where it all began. This is the very first appearance in print of the first Harry Potter novel.
“I have made several important Harry Potter discoveries but this is extra special, and a first for me. Since 2017 Hansons has sourced and sold 16 super rare hardback first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone which were published in the very first 500-book print run.
“This find is even more scarce. Not only that, it takes us back a stage further in the evolution of the multi-million-pound Potter phenomenon. This is an original proof copy of a book which went on to take the world by storm.”
News
Fanatical supporter and former sponsor: Ed Sheeran’s relationship with Ipswich Town
Ed Sheeran at Ipswich Town game (Photo: Icon Sport) Ipswich Town are one of the sensations of the current edition of the Championship . Freshly promoted from England’s third division, the club occupies second position in the table, behind only the favorites Leicester . In addition,…
FULL VIDEO Ed Sheeran celebrates Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League, a very interesting phone conversation.
As we mentioned, Ed Sheeran has been keeping an eye on the big Ipswich match in Miami. Here he is, enjoying the coverage and the results. “What a ride, man! What a ride!” he exclaimed. “I’m in Miami, and I’ve…
ACCEPT YOUR FATE: How Ipswich, Leicester & Southampton fans can cope with straight drop
Thank you for joining today’s session! As we gear up for the new season, we have some exciting new faces among us, alongside teams we’ve seen in the league too many times before. Is that who I think it is?…
ED SHEERAN INTERRUPTS KIERAN MCKENNA’S INTERVIEW AFTER WATFORD, A MOMENT THAT SHOCKS FANS
Ed Sheeran gatecrashes interview with Ipswich Town manager and Fermanagh native Kieran McKenna Enniskillen man has helped Tractor Boys win 16 of their 21 games to sit top of the Championship after a record-breaking start. Ed Sheeran embraces Ipswich Town…
Exciting Duo: Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin sing “Viva La Vida” together
The Coldplay singer ran through two of his band’s biggest songs and two of Ed’s on Saturday in New York. Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin perform onstage during the Global Citizen Festival 2024 in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2024…
Nasaan’s attention-grabbing reaction to Eminem and Cordae’s relationship has fans curious.
Detroit rapper Nasaan, who is a song of Big Proof and is now mentored by Royce 5’9″, has just revealed the reason he has been dissing Cordae for 3 years which is directly related to the relationship with Eminem. “Should…
End of content
No more pages to load