A proof copy of the first Harry Potter novel that was bought for pennies in a second-hand bookshop almost 30 years ago has sold at auction for $13,900.
British auctioneers Hanson’s said Monday that the first-edition copy of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ – known as ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US – which states ‘uncorrected proof copy’ on the cover, was bought in 1997 from a shop in south London with two other books for a total of 50 cents.
The seller, who was not named, picked up the book about the famous boy wizard as a ‘throw-in’ with other titles and didn’t read it or pay much attention to it for years – until she read online about the high prices some Potter copies achieved, Hanson’s said.
The book was sold to a private British buyer on Wednesday for a hammer price of 11,000 pounds ($13,900), and a total of 14,432 pounds ($18,300) including a sales premium.
Jim Spencer, head of books at the auction house, said the copy’s inside title page mistakenly stated the author’s name as ‘J A Rowling’ instead of J.K. Rowling .
A proof copy of the first Harry Potter novel that was bought for pennies in a second-hand bookshop almost 30 years ago has sold at auction for $13,900
British auctioneers Hanson’s said Monday that the first-edition copy of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ – known as ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US – which states ‘uncorrected proof copy’ on the cover, was bought in 1997 from a shop in south London with two other books for a total of 50 cents
Rowling is known to be deeply protective of the franchise, notoriously holding biannual ‘Ministry of Magic’ meetings where she talks to executives – who spend weeks preparing ideas – about what the universe can and can’t do for the future
‘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 said.
The sale comes as it was recently revealed that Rowling has made amends with Warner Brothers ahead of a series of new Harry Potter-based projects.
Rowling was notably absent from a 2022 Warner Bros. special commemorating the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film’s release.
That sparked speculation of a rupture with Warner Bros. top brass, but insiders insist nothing could be further from the truth.
CEO David Zaslav flew to Edinburgh in Scotland to meet with Rowling on being appointed to the top job in April 2022.
He and his team hope to turn the Harry Potter books into a lavish TV series that could be the most expensive ever produced and create a whole new generation of viewers for the fantasy series.
Zaslav attempted to bond with Rowling – few in the WB universe had her ear prior to his takeover – by discussing their childhoods and families in London as he attempts to ‘breathe new life’ into her beloved book series, according to WSJ.
On an earnings call held Friday, the executive said Max is aiming to debut the new show in the first quarter of 2026, Variety reported. It is rumored to have a budget of $250 million, making it the most expensive TV program ever made.
The seller, who was not named, picked up the book about the famous boy wizard as a ‘throw-in’ with other titles and didn’t read it or pay much attention to it for years – until she read online about the high prices some Potter copies achieved, Hanson’s said
Hansons Auctioneers Head of Books Jim Spencer with the first-edition Harry Potter novel
The CEO confirmed on that call that he and a delegation of Warner execs had met with Rowling just weeks earlier.
Rowling is known to be deeply protective of the franchise, notoriously holding biannual ‘Ministry of Magic’ meetings where she talks to executives – who spend weeks preparing ideas – about what the universe can and can’t do for the future.
She was also granted veto over any ‘non-author written sequels’ to the series in film and TV that has likely slowed the upcoming series by several years.
Rowling gave the planned series nod of approval when the show was announced in April, saying: ‘Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me.’
It’s part of a continuing world of projects involving her wizards, which include theme parks across the world, a stage show on Broadway and the West End, stores in most major cities and video games, with one based on the fictional game of Quidditch in development.