Rare Harry Potter First Edition Set to Fetch Thousands at Midlands Auction
A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is poised to captivate bidders at a Midlands auction, with expectations that it will raise thousands of pounds for its owner. The well-read softcover copy, part of the original print run from June 1997, is scheduled to go under the hammer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers in Lichfield next month.
Valuable Errors and Historical Significance
Only 5,150 copies of the first edition softcover were printed by Bloomsbury in 1997, alongside 500 hardback editions with identical text. This nearly 30-year-old book shows signs of age, but that is unlikely to deter collectors eager to own a piece of British literary history. In fact, the book's errors make it more valuable than later corrected versions.
Robert French, a valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, highlighted specific anomalies that identify this as a first edition first printing. "On page 53, there is a list of school supplies where '1 wand' appears twice, at the start and again at the end," he explained. "The back cover has a missing 'o' in 'philosopher's' and refers to 'Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft', which was later changed to 'Witchcraft and Wizardry'. Conversely, if the front cover states it is 'a Triple Smarties Gold Award Winner', it is not a first impression."
Owner's Story and Auction Details
The seller, Naveed Younas, 37, from Nottingham, received the paperback as a gift when he was a child. "I liked it very much, read it quite a lot and went on to read the other Harry Potter books in due course," he said. "It has been left on my shelf for a few years now, and I thought this would be a good time to pass it on to someone else who will appreciate it." He could pocket between £3,000 and £4,000 from the sale.
The book will feature in Richard Winterton Auctioneers' Antique & Home Sale at the Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, on Monday, April 13, starting at 9am. Bidding options include online, in-person, or by prior arranged telephone bid. The catalogue will be available online a week before the sale date. Viewing in person is possible at The Lichfield Auction Centre, WS13 8NF, between 10am and 4pm on Friday, April 10.
