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OCTOBER 25, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Guardian Unlimited via Yahoo! News
A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sold
at a Christie's auction today for a record £19,700 ($40,355.88). The book, one of 500 copies, was in excellent condition and was only read once.
According to Crispin Jackson, head of books at Christie's South Kensington, the book is the most valuable one in the series:
From Goblet of Fire onwards, the series took off so quickly that first editions were common because the print runs were huge. The collecting buzz started with Prisoner of Azkaban in 1999 and while the market slightly dipped before the publication of Deathly Hallows, it has picked up again with the conclusion of the series and the huge success of the films.
A proof copy of the book containing a printing error on the title page was sold for £2,250 ($4,610.46).
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Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27761
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Woohooo!
I want a first edition so bad, maybe if I win the loterry and then find one on eBay. Ha ha.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST
Dumbledore's Girl
Points: 4511
flyby says:
L0l keep dreaming megan !
That is a lot of money for a book ! But you know it is hp....:D
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1394
Bullwinkle says:
Wow! I wish that i had a first edition of philosphers stone! I only have a first edition of the last three, but they are probley worthless, since millions were printed.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:21 AM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
I dont know why but I would love to have the printing error one...I think it would be different. I wonder what the error was?
but yeah I dont have that kind of money though...
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
£19,700 oooohhhhh ... that's big money!!! And I wonder what that error on the title page might be ...
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
Cindy Weasley says:
I would want it for me, not because it is worth millions but because I feel a personal connection with the books. After all, they walked me through all of my teenage years and still have a special place in my heart.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 11:31 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Absolutely amazing. Hard to beleive that is more than JKR had at the time of publication. Truly magical to see.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 12:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 861
star chaser says:
I would love to own a first edition, but that's a ot of money. I wonder what the title page error is.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 12:44 PM EST
Honeydukes Eye Candy
Points: 3501
Pansyful says:
Wow this is so awesome! i didn't know there was a rare edition. that's definitely a bonus for huge hp fans. especially those collectors. well goodluck with ya'll!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 12:51 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3674
Hecate3fold says:
This is amazing! Who knew back then that one book could be worth so much. I'm sure the value will only go higher.
I wonder if JKR will ever be able to outdo Harry Potter with any future books?
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 2:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
crazywitch says:
Very nice, I'd love to have a first edition of all of the early books and if i did have them i would never sell them.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 2:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
£19,700 ($40,355.88) ! WOW A printing error book and it was sold for £2,250 ($4,610.46) harry potter for ever!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 2:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
Lucky people who bought first editions when they came out who would knw what a great investment they were making!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 3:52 PM EST
Points: 8027
deemz says:
Lucky! haha, i'd die for a first edition!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 4:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 803
ShiningShina says:
People will pay so much for the most random HP-related stuff. I wonder what the first editions will be worth 100 years from now?
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 4:56 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Wow, that is an insane amount of money for a book. But I presume it will only increase in value and may be a good investment for the future.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 5:08 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3070
Tikihaha says:
The book, one of 500 copies, was in excellent condition and was only read once.
Hmmm ... so not read by a real fan?!! My copy of the book is so ratty and dog-eared from being read about 50 times over. I've had to buy another 3 replacements since my original! No book of mine will ever be desribed as being 'in mint condition' as I love reading too much. AND I cover them all in clear adhesive vinyl to make them last longer ...
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 5:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Harry Potter books are good to read! Love Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 5:48 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3656
Anastasia Popovick says:
Oh, I would love to have a copy of the Philospher's Stone. I only have the US version in paperback. I love collecting books...unfortunately, I do not have that kind of money to buy such rare books. I can only dream and say congratulations to the lucky collector/purchaser.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 6:06 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5169
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
You are Funny Meg. I would also would want the First editon too. that is a lot of money. I am poor i only got 13$ right know with me. I love Jo so much for everything she has done.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 6:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
That is amazing. If I EVER got the origianl copy of it i would probably seel is and NEVER let anyone touch it!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 7:44 PM EST
Squib
Points: 120
tatiweasley says:
did the money go to charity? Cause i doubt Jo needs any more money..
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 8:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
Very cool, I don't think I'd pay that much for a book though.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 9:09 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Wow, that's crazy! That's a lot of money!
~Drish~
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 10:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
My goodness!!! That is a LOT of money!!! I would have paid that much for it though- that is, if I had that much money ha ha. I would love to have a first edition of SS though, how amazing would that be?
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1862
Bright Eyes says:
Oh gosh, you never would have thought when you first bought the book that your 1st edition would be that much. Wow. Nice little investment!
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 10:34 PM EST
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