A mint condition paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which lay untouched in an attic for nearly three decades, is poised to fetch up to £10,000 at auction. The book, originally sold for just £4.99 in 1997, has been described by experts as the finest example ever to come to market.
A Chance Discovery
Katrina McNicol, now 53, was a 24-year-old book reviewer for a magazine in the Scottish Highlands when she received the novel. Despite her role, she never found time to read it, and the book ended up stored away. Decades later, while sorting through her loft in Edinburgh, she rediscovered the 'time capsule' and immediately recognised its potential value.
'Each week I received more than 20 titles to review, and it was impossible to feature them all,' McNicol said. 'I've never quite known why I set this particular book aside, long before the Harry Potter phenomenon began, but I carried it with me from home to home with dozens of others, and I'm so glad that I did.'
Rarity and Condition
The first edition paperback is exceptionally rare, with Bloomsbury initially printing just over 5,000 copies. The book contains several errors that make it even more sought-after by collectors. These include a missing 'o' in 'philosopher's' on the back cover, the phrase 'Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft' (later changed to 'Witchcraft and Wizardry'), and a duplicate listing of '1 wand' on page 53.
Jim Spencer, director of Rare Book Auctions, remarked: 'This is the best example I've ever handled. Many copies were passed among friends, squished in school rucksacks, or splashed with drinks, but this one has been perfectly preserved. It is as good as the day it was made.'
Auction Details
The book is being auctioned online by Lichfield-based Rare Book Auctions, part of Hansons Auctioneers, with bidding closing on May 20. It is expected to sell for between £7,000 and £10,000. Spencer added: 'This is an exceptionally rare opportunity for Potterheads to bid for perhaps the finest example ever to come onto the market. It simply couldn't be any better than this.'
