Proof copy of Harry Potter book, bought for pennies in 1997, sells for more than $13,000

A proof copy of the primary Harry Potter novel that was purchased for pennies in a second-hand bookshop nearly 30 years in the past has offered at public sale for 11,000 kilos ($13,900.)

British auctioneers Hanson’s stated Monday that the first-edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” which states “uncorrected proof copy” on the duvet, was purchased in 1997 from a store in south London with two different books for a complete of 40 pence ($0.50.)

The vendor, who was not named, picked up the e book concerning the well-known boy wizard as a “throw-in” with different titles and didn’t learn it or pay a lot consideration to it for years — till she learn on-line concerning the excessive costs some Potter copies achieved, Hanson’s stated.

The e book was offered to a personal U.Ok. purchaser on Wednesday for a hammer worth of 11,000 kilos, and a complete of 14,432 kilos together with a gross sales premium.

Jim Spencer, head of books on the public sale home, stated the copy’s inside title web page mistakenly said the creator’s identify as “J A Rowling” as a substitute of J.Ok. Rowling.

“This book so deserved to do well. This proof copy is where the Harry Potter phenomenon began. This is the very first appearance in print of the first Potter novel,” Spencer stated.