Description: Harry took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls. Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well...how curious...how very curious..."Here we offer an extremely early and rare stated first paperback edition, 4th printing, of the classic novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, (known in the US as "...Sorcerer's Stone,") by J. K. Rowling, published by Bloomsbury, London, in 1997. Also included in the sale is an attractive collection of ephemera: a laminated map of Hogwarts Castle, Harry's Hogwarts acceptance letter with necessaries list, and a train ticket to Hogwarts.There is much to be learned about collecting this title and much disinformation, even in the media. For instance: the "1 wand" misprint on page 53 is NOT an indication of an early edition (it is corrected in some true 1997 printings--like this copy--and it can be found in books printed a decade later.) Another: If the book is dated "1997" it is not necessarily a 1997 printing (look, instead for mention of subsequent Harry Potter books). The earliest first "point," or feature, identifying a first edition found in both the hardback and softcover version of Philosopher's Stone is the inclusion of a quote by children's author Wendy Cooling at the base of the front cover illustration, reading "A terrific read and a stunning first novel." This copy, being a very early 4th printing, DOES have that extremely rare, early, and sought-after quote. It also features the very rare absence of any mention of any subsequent Harry Potter books. Other first points:Copyright page: “First published in Great Britain in 1997” is stated 2 lines above “Joanne Rowling” rather than "J.K. Rowling.”Pictorial laminated rear board features a brown-haired, rather than white-haired wizard.Errata (errors):Page 15, line 3: “Potter’s son” was corrected to “Potters’ son” in later editions.Page 17, line 31: “I’ll be takin' Sirius his bike back” was corrected to “I’d best get his bike away” in later editions.Page 31, line 34: Stray apostrophe not yet removed from before “Harry could see...”Page 87, line 31: “Hogwarts, a History” was corrected to “Hogwarts: a History” in later editions. Page 168, line 9: “’Dittany’ in One Hundred Magical Herbs and Fungi” was corrected to “’Dittany’ in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi” in later editions. Wraps are sunned at spine, which is common for extremely early copies, which were evidently printed with less archival inks. Cover features a promotional gold prize label. These were applied to later-issued copies, but this oddity is evidence that they were also applied to unsold stock when the labels became available. (This is the first early printing I've seen with a gold label.) Rear endpapers bear a blue marker inscription (please see pic.) Otherwise the book is in excellent condition with tight and square binding and clean, unmarked, bright, and crisp text. 223 pages. The book measures approximately 7.75 x 5-inches.This will make a wonderful addition to your collection or a marvelous gift.Check out our shelf of other iconic fantasy and sci-fi firsts by clicking HERE! ** Have you seen all the amazing first and rare editions of iconic books we offer? We gladly combine shipping and refund the shipping overpayment, so please check out our other items! -- other auctions of classic antiquarian literature and special gifts!** Thank you for your interest! ***Priority shipping options are available at checkout!***
Price: 1499.95 USD
Location: Bronx, New York
End Time: 2024-11-19T08:00:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.63 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Return policy details:
Year Printed: 1997
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Topic: Classics
Binding: Softcover, Wraps
Author: J.K. Rowling
Subject: Literature & Fiction
Original/Facsimile: Original
Character Family: Harry Potter
Special Attributes: 1st Edition