Lot 291
Rowling, J.K. ◆
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
£125,000
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 17 June 2020 at 11:00 BST
Description
London: Bloomsbury, 1997. First edition, hardback, first impression with the '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' numberline on the publisher's imprint page and '1 wand' listed twice on p.53, inscribed and signed by J.K. Rowling on the front free-endpaper: "6-9-97 For James, Kate and Laura, with best wishes, J.K. Rowling", original pictorial boards, an extremely faint yellow mark to p.67 and some very light browning to pages as usually found, a very slight shelf-lean, some minor wear to covers
Footnote
Note: One of only 500 copies of the first edition, first impression hardback to have been produced.
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books have become a modern classic of children's literature, with first edition, first impression copies of Rowling’s first book being truly rare: 500 hardback copies were produced, with around 300 of these being given to libraries and schools. This would leave a maximum of 200 copies of the book in possible circulation in fine, non ex-library condition. The actual number is likely to be far lower. Only a handful of first edition, first impression books were then inscribed by J.K. Rowling for friends, acquaintances and family members. This copy is one such work.
It is notable that this book is being offered for sale in Edinburgh – widely regarded as the ‘home of Harry Potter’. The boy wizard was dreamt up by Rowling on a delayed rail service between Manchester and London’s King’s Cross Station, however Rowling has said: “…Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafés.” Similarities can also be found between Edinburgh’s many imposing independent schools and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Most notably, George Heriot’s School and Fettes College, with its impressive central spire, both strongly reflect the baronial architectural style of Hogwarts. In the past, Rowling has said that she imagines Hogwarts to be in Scotland: a claim corroborated by the Harry Potter films, where the Hogwarts Express is seen diving over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.
