A signed first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone set an incredible new record at auction last night.
The book achieved a massive £106,250 ($140,146) when it crossed the block at Bonhams London. It had originally been valued at £40,000 ($52,768).
JK Rowling has inscribed this Harry Potter first edition
That’s a huge increase on the previous record, set at $81,250 at Heritage in September.
That price differential is testament, in part, to the premium collectors place on signed copies. The inscription reads: “For Meera, Donnie, Nastassia and Kai, with lots of love from Jo (also known as J.K. Rowling)”.
Rowling has dated it July 27, 1997 – just over a month after the book came out.
Matthew Haley, head of books and manuscripts at Bonhams, said: "There is always a great deal of interest when first editions of Harry Potter books come to auction, especially, of course, in the very first one in the series.
“This particular example was not only in excellent condition, but it had the added attraction of a very personal inscription from the author herself."
Interested in owning your own signed first edition, at a fraction of the price?
We have an autographed copy of Rowling’s acclaimed novel A Casual Vacancy for sale.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about book and manuscript auctions.
