Rare Harry Potter first edition filled with errors including misspelled 'Philospher's' Stone could fetch £3,000 at auction
- The paperback was originally published in 1997 and was one of just 5,150 printed
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A rare Harry Potter first edition novel which is filled with errors is up for sale - and expected to fetch as much as £3,000 at auction.
The paperback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was originally published in 1997 and was one of just 5,150 printed - then sold for £4.99 each.
The error-filled copies of J.K. Rowling's debut novel was sent out for children to read and rate as part of the Smarties Book Awards, and it was said to have enchanted pupils at the time.
The original owner, teacher Mrs Allchurch, recalled that the children often stayed late to read just 'one last page', before it was voted the best book in the scheme.
And, like the school children, the current owner also fell in love with the edition, buying it at a book fair despite it being littered with mistakes - including the back cover, where the title is misspelled with 'Philosopher's' written as 'Philospher's'.
The book also contains the blunder 'Wizardry and Witchcraft' instead of 'Witchcraft and Wizardry' on the back as well as typos - including the words 'one wand' printed twice on a list of items Harry needs for Hogwarts on page 53.
Instead of her now famous moniker J.K. Rowling, the famous author is listed as 'Joanne Rowling' and on the copyright page, there is no space between 'Taylor' and '1997'.
A rare Harry Potter first edition, filled with errors, is up for sale and expected to fetch as much as £3,000 at auction
Plymouth Auction Rooms in Devon is selling the paperback copy on April 29 and their accompanying listing reads: 'This particular copy has a fascinating history tied to the original success of Harry Potter.
'Its previous owner, a teacher at a Plymouth primary school, was part of a book-testing scheme in the mid-'90s.
'The scheme involved students reading and rating several new books. J.K. Rowling's freshly published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was one of the chosen titles.
'The teacher's class devoured the book, often staying late to read 'just one more page'.
'The excitement around the book was palpable, with children begging to continue even after the school day ended.
'The class ultimately voted Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone the best book in the scheme, and many other classes across the country did the same.
'The book went on to win the Smarties Book Award in 1997.'
The paperback was first published in 1997 and was one of just 5,150 printed with each selling for just £4.99 but included errors such as the misspelling of 'Philosopher's' as 'Philospher's'
Instead of her now famous moniker J.K. Rowling, the famous author is listed as 'Joanne Rowling' and on the copyright page, there is no space between 'Taylor' and '1997'
The book also contains the blunder 'Wizardry and Witchcraft' instead of 'Witchcraft and Wizardry' on the back and 'one wand' printed twice on a list of items Harry needs for Hogwarts on page 53
J.K. Rowling's debut novel was sent out for children to read and rate as part of the Smarties Book Awards and pupils were said to be entranced by the book (K.K. pictured at the World Premiere of 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' in London on March 29, 2022)
It comes after a rare hardback version of the novel sold for £56,000 last year.
The edition was one of just 500 hardback copies of the debut Harry Potter novel printed in its first release, with 300 given to libraries and schools and 200 to private parties.
The book, which originally retailed for £10.99, was consigned by a prominent Harry Potter collector at auctioneers Bonhams New York in the United States.
And it's not just the novels that have got fans in a frenzy, one committed Harry Potter lover snapped up a Hogwarts uniform worn by actor Daniel Radcliffe in the Chamber of Secrets has sold for nearly £80,000 - despite being covered in mud.
The dark grey, polyester-blend Gryffindor-hooded cloak and trademark circular glasses went under the hammer at the Propstore Auction in California in July 2023.
The lot also included Harry's white cotton shirt, neck-tie, wool V-neck sweater, grey trousers and black leather suede shoes.
The original owner, primary school teacher Mrs Allchurch, recalled that the children often stayed late to read just 'one last page' and it was voted the best book in the scheme (pictured: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson)
The costume has stage blood all over it, as well as being caked in dirt.
A Harry Potter superfan snapped up the distressed costume for £79,100 ($100,000) after being tipped to sell for £59,000 ($75,000).
The outfit was one of over 500 rare and iconic film and TV props and costumes that were sold.
The listing read: 'This lot exhibits intentional distressing throughout, such as mud on the cloak, sweater, and pants, and stage blood applied to the shirt around the collar and cuffs.'
The film was the second in the schoolboy wizard epics and was released in 2002.
