An ultra-rare proof copy of J.K. Rowling’s first ever Harry Potter novel could fetch up to £4,000 when it goes under the hammer later this week.
Only 200 trial copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone were released for review by publishers Bloomsbury after the writer penned the book in Edinburgh in 1997.
The international bestseller went on to sell more than 120 million copies worldwide and launch Rowling’s Wizarding World, spanning six further books, plays and film series’.
Auctioneers Ewbank’s place the valuation of the proof copy at between £2,000 and £4,000, noting it includes an error in the author's name on the title page.
Proof copies are usually produced by printers for publishing companies as a way of checking the final drafts before they are put out for sale.
The book contains none of the series’ iconic cover art, instead replacing it with a bland yellow stripe bearing the name of the novel on a white background.
Inside, Rowling’s name is misspelled as ‘J.A. Rowling,’ while warning the uncorrected proof copy is not for sale and “does not reflect the quality, page size or thickness of the finished text”.
The novel will be among dozens of lots up for sale at the Surrey auctioneer’s sale of film and music memorabilia on Thursday, May 27.
Rowling wrote the original manuscripts for the Harry Potter series in at least one cafe in the capital, though there is a dispute over the exact spot where the author came up with the stories.
The Elephant House, located on George IV Bridge advertises itself as the “birthplace of Harry Potter,” however another small eatery, now housing Spoon on Nicolson Street, also claims to be the original home of Hogwarts.
The former Nicolson’s Cafe was once owned by Rowling’s brother-in-law and she has confirmed part of the concept was born there.
