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Harry Potter first edition sells for £46,000 at auction | Harry Potter first edition sells for £46,000 at auction |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A rare copy of the first Harry Potter book has sold for £46,000 at auction after it was kept in a briefcase for safekeeping for more than 20 years. | A rare copy of the first Harry Potter book has sold for £46,000 at auction after it was kept in a briefcase for safekeeping for more than 20 years. |
The Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone hardback edition was given to a Lancashire family who planned to keep it as an heirloom. | The Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone hardback edition was given to a Lancashire family who planned to keep it as an heirloom. |
They decided to sell it after hearing about another book fetching £28,500. | They decided to sell it after hearing about another book fetching £28,500. |
The 1997 edition is the "Holy Grail" for collectors, a spokesman for the auction house said. | The 1997 edition is the "Holy Grail" for collectors, a spokesman for the auction house said. |
The book, published with two errors, was sold at Hansons Auctioneers with a guide price of £25,000 to £30,000. | The book, published with two errors, was sold at Hansons Auctioneers with a guide price of £25,000 to £30,000. |
But telephone bids sent the price spiralling and the auctioneer described it as "exquisite" and "a book like no other". | But telephone bids sent the price spiralling and the auctioneer described it as "exquisite" and "a book like no other". |
He said "that's magic", as he put his hammer down on the winning bid. | He said "that's magic", as he put his hammer down on the winning bid. |
The book sold for a hammer price of £46,000 but the buyer will pay a final figure of £57,040 to cover fees and VAT. | The book sold for a hammer price of £46,000 but the buyer will pay a final figure of £57,040 to cover fees and VAT. |
Associate director Jim Spencer, from the Stafford auctioneers, said first edition hardbacks of the novel were the "Holy Grail" for collectors because so few were printed. | |
"I couldn't believe the condition of it - almost like the day it was made. I can't imagine a better copy can be found," he said. | "I couldn't believe the condition of it - almost like the day it was made. I can't imagine a better copy can be found," he said. |
Only 500 copies were published in the book's first print run, with 300 of those sent to libraries. | Only 500 copies were published in the book's first print run, with 300 of those sent to libraries. |
The hardback was among 12 Harry Potter first editions for sale at the auction, including one signed by JK Rowling. | The hardback was among 12 Harry Potter first editions for sale at the auction, including one signed by JK Rowling. |
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