>Bonhams, London are selling a first edition, first printing, 1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at their Fine Books and Manuscripts Auction on November 9th, with a £100,000 - £150,000 estimate.
The book is one of 500 printed. In December 2021 another copy sold for a world record price of £356,000 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
The 500 First Edition, First Printing Hardback copies of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone are defined by the following printing errors:
The Bonhams copy has a few niggly faults including some scratch marks, bumped spine ends and a creased corner tip so is probably not going to challenge the record price, but is nethertheless one of the most sought after pieces of Harry Potter memorabilia.
The provenance states that the book was originally ordered from Wades bookshop in Halifax, United Kingdom after the purchaser heard a review on Radio 4's Book Club hosted by Jim Naughtie, and is being consigned by the original owner.
Harry Potter memorabilia has been one of the collecting phenomenons of our lifetime with books and film memorabilia selling exceptionally well.
In July 2022 an illuminating wand developed for Daniel Radcliffe for use in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire film has sold at auction for $25,600 at Juliens in Los Angeles.
And even copies of Harry's Hogwarts acceptance letter, which famously flew through the letterbox and down the chimney at the Privet Drive House owned by Uncle Vernon have sold for thousands.
Previous sales of the red wax seal example of the envelope include £7,562 at Bonhams in December 2019 and another for $30,000, also at the Prop Store, in August 2020.
Harry Potter memorabilia is firmly in our 'Better than Bitcoin' category when it comes to potential increases in value.