A HARDBACK first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” has sold at auction for £68,000 (US$119,380) in England. The issue was one of 500 copies published in the first run by Bloomsbury back in 1997, before JK Rowling’s saga of wizards and magic became a global literary phenomenon. Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers confirmed the dealing. Charlotte Rumsey had been helping her mother Karen clear out old items in her home for a garage sale when they came across the book that a family friend had given to Charlotte and her brothers in 1999. “I put it in the 50 pence book box without a second thought,” Charlotte was quoted as saying on the Hansons Auctioneers website. “Soon after, I just happened to see the Antiques Roadshow on TV. Someone had taken along some rare Harry Potter books and the experts said they could be worth £ 13,000 . “I thought maybe we might have a first edition and rang Mum to ask her to double-check our book. She took it out of the box and I began reading out the issue points that identify it as first edition,” said Rumsey . They contacted Hansons, which is “renowned for uncovering Philosopher’s Stone hardback first editions,” according to its website. An expert confirmed the book was a genuine first edition. “We were a bit half-hearted about selling at first but I’m getting married, Mum’s downsizing and there’s no time like the present, particularly after the year everyone has had,” Rumsey said. (SD-Agencies) |