Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first edition, paperback

Rowling, J.K.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. London: Bloomsbury, 1997

8vo. “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” on publisher’s imprint page, “1 wand” repeated on p. 53; leaves toned, as usual, preliminaries lightly foxed, final third rippled. Original publisher’s pictorial paper wrappers by Thomas Taylor, lower cover has misspelt “Philospher’s”; wrappers lightly creased, spine sunned, extremities rubbed.

First edition of the spellbinding novel that introduced The Boy Who Lived—one of 5,150 paperback copies.

On 26 June 1997, alongside 500 hardback first editions of the then-unknown Philosopher’s Stone, Bloomsbury ordered a simultaneous first issue of 5,150 paperback copies, of which the present lot is one. Soon after, lightning struck, and the charming novel soared to worldwide popularity. The initial installment in the Harry Potter series has since sold over 120 million copies, making it one of the best selling books of all time.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s adventures at Hogwarts bewitched audiences upon the novel’s first release 29 years ago, and the wizarding world’s popularity has certainly continued to grow to this day, with a new adaptation slated for release later this year. The present copy was gifted to a young boy, near Harry's age, in the year of publication.

REFERENCES

Errington, Rowling A1(aa)

PROVENANCE

Gift inscription in pencil to upper pastedown