A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone bought for 28p has sold for £28,000 on the BBC show, Bargain Hunt.
The book is one of only 500 of these first edition copies printed and is one of the 300 that were sent to libraries across the UK.
It was identified as a first edition for a few reasons: the library sticker from Staffordshire libraries; the word “philosopher” is misspelled on the back cover; the word “wand” appears twice in a list of equipment on page 53; and the author, JK Rowling, is credited as “Joanne” in the publishing information while in later editions she decided to use her initials.
The seller, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I can’t believe it. It’s what I’d hoped for but I never really believed my book would make that price.”
On the BBC show, auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “All our client wants to do with [the money] is buy a new bathroom. Even now the paperback publications, which were first editions, are fetching thousands of pounds. But this is a hardback and one of only 500. It’s so important in that great history of Harry Potter.”
Another rare first edition Harry Potter book was sold for £70,000 in 2019.
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