Proof copy of first Harry Potter novel, bought for pennies, sold for Rs 11.5 lakh

According to a report, a proof copy of the first Harry Potter book, which was bought at a throwaway price at a used bookstore 30 years ago, was sold at auction for 11,000 pounds (Rs 11.5 lakh). ABC News, The original edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, marked “Uncorrected Proof Copy” on the cover, was purchased along with two other novels in 1997 from a South London bookshop for a total of 40 pence ($0.50). To British auctioneer Hanson.

The seller, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had purchased the book as a “throw-in” with other titles about the famous young wizard and kept it for years until he learned of the high prices of some of the Potter books. Kept neglected.

The book sold for £11,000 at auction on Wednesday, bringing the total price to £14,432 when the sales premium was added. According to the outlet, the buyer is an individual from the United Kingdom. According to Jim Spencer, head of books at the auction house, the title page inside the copy mistakenly listed the author’s name as “JA Rowling” instead of JK Rowling.

Mr Spencer said, “This book deserves a good display. This proof copy is from where the Harry Potter phenomenon began. It is the first printing of the first Potter novel.”

Meanwhile, an incredibly rare Harry Potter book bought for 30 pence was sold for £10,500 at an auction in July last year. The first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was one of 500 copies produced and was purchased by a collector from Staffordshire who died early last year, the BBC reports. A hardback copy of the book went under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park, on 10 July.

Published by Bloomsbury in 1997 with a laminated board cover, this book is one of only 500 first edition first impressions and, of those, one of only 300 sent to libraries. According to a release from the Litchfield Auction Center, the winning bid was placed online by a buyer from Los Angeles. The book had an estimate of £3,000 to £5,000 due to its ‘much-loved condition’ as an ex-library book.