Do you remember the first time you read the Harry Potter series?
Maybe some of you never did. After all, Harry Potter isn’t for everyone, and some people would rather enjoy the story on the big screen than in book-form. Nothing wrong with that.
But for those of us who did pick up the books, we can all probably remember the moment when we realized we had stumbled upon something incredible and knew this strange boy with a lightening bolt-shaped scar was about to take over our lives.
Author J.K. Rowling penned an elaborate wizarding world, the likes of which we were completely unprepared for.
Who could have ever predicted these seven books would become such a worldwide cultural phenomenon, spawning 8 feature-length films, a prequel series with even more movies, a slew of merchandise, and even an amusement park at Universal Studios?
When we look at the Harry Potter series, we have to give credit to the very first book, the one that started it all.
Yes, we’re looking at you, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone .
This is the book that first introduced us to the characters many of us would grow up reading or watching. This book allowed us to first experience the world of wizards at the same time as Harry Potter himself. It’s the book that ignited the Harry Potter phenomenon.
It’s also the book that can be worth a fortune today, for the right editon that is.
According to LADBible , a super rare first edition Harry Potter book is for sale at an online auction, and its starting bid is enough to make you choke on your Butterbeer.
The first edition “Philosopher’s Stone” has an expected auction price of up to £30,000.
That’s about $37,949 USD.
So it’s safe to say I’ll be searching for my own copy because I could always use a little extra pocket money. Or a lot.
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This book isn’t brand new by any means, and it’s not in perfect condition, either.
According to the lot details on Forum Auctions , it’s actually an ex-library copy with an ink stamp and some residue leftover from a barcode sticker.
There’s some browning on the pages, “bumped corners” and “laminate peeling”, but the site insists it’s “still a very good, bright copy, preserved in a fine example of a later dust-jacket.”
While the book isn’t perfect by any means, it’s definitely a super rare find.
According to the auction website, this first edition, first printing copy is one of only 500 in the world.
Yeah, suddenly that £30,000 price tag doesn’t sound so crazy.
How do you know if your own copy is a first edition?
There’s actually a few ways to tell.
According to The Mirror , these first editions feature a misprint on page 53 in which “1 wand” is included twice on Harry’s list of Hogwarts school items.
Also, if the print line reads 10987654321 and the book is credited to “Joanne Rowling” instead of the J.K. Rowling we all know and adore, you just might be holding a small fortune in your hands.
That being said, not every first edition is a goldmine.
Less rare ones have fetched anywhere from a few thousand dollars to just over $20, depending on its print run.
A good rule of thumb is to recognize rarity when you see it — that is, books signed by J.K. herself or ones with different illustrations or cover designs.
So I’d suggest taking quick look at your own copies because who knows? That lovingly well-worn copy could make you a moderately richer person. If you’re willing to part with it, that is.
h/t: LADBible
