19th June 2025 | by Anna Lambert on behalf of Wilson55
A First Edition, First Impression Paperback of J. K. Rowling’s iconic Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone is currently being featured in Wilson55’s Fine & Classic Sale this June, presenting ‘Potterheads’ and book collectors with the exciting and rare opportunity to own a piece of literary history. As the first book in a series which has inspired eight blockbuster films, a long-running West End production, multiple international theme parks and video games, and most recently, a highly anticipated television show due to hit our screens next year, the impact that this book and the magic of Harry Potter has had on our popular culture cannot be understated.
The Harry Potter series is the best-selling book series in history, and of the 600 million copies that have been sold worldwide, only a tiny fraction of these can claim to be first edition, first impressions. It is rare for a book to become so collectable in such a short space of time, with Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone only being published in the UK in 1997. Yet with a plot which appeals across generations, and with printing quirks like the 1 wand duplication error to page 53 and the Philospher's error to back cover, a first edition, first impression of Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone has quickly become a ‘Holy Grail’ for book collectors. Despite all this, the vendor’s son, for whom this copy was originally bought, was one of those rare children who remained disinterested in Harry Potter and his wizarding world, and so this particular book was rarely ever touched since purchase and is, for all intents and purposes, an unread copy. This is reflected in its attractive condition, making it a rarity amongst an already rare version of the book.
(This internal image was taken by the vendor prior to consignment)
What is particularly exciting for us here at Wilson55 is that this copy of the book was purchased by the vendor from a bookshop in our local town of Nantwich. After hearing Rowling talking about her new book on the radio in July/August 1997, the vendor decided to head into town to buy a copy for his aforementioned son, either from W. H. Smith or an independent retailer on Hospital St., which has since closed down. The First Edition, First Impression Hardback of Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets also being offered in this sale, was again purchased in Nantwich immediately following publication. As objects of then both local and literary interest, we are delighted that we are able to present these books for auction in their hometown.
Lot 310 - Rowling (J. K.), "Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone" First Edition, First Impression Paperback, pub. Bloomsbury, London 1997, ISBN 0 7475 3274 5, Copyright © Joanne Rowling 1997 and sequence 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 to publication page, 1 wand duplication error to p. 53 and Philospher's error to back cover. Estimate: £4,000-6,000
Lot 311 - Rowling (J. K.), "Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets" First Edition, First Impression Hardback, with dust jacket, pub. Bloomsbury, London 1998, ISBN 0 7475 3849 2, Copyright © J. K. Rowling 1998 and sequence 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 to publication page. Estimate: £400-600
Click Here for the full catalogue entries and additional illustrations of each lot, and to view the rest of our Fine & Classic Sale
For any enquiries about these lots, or about consigning your own first-edition and collectable books to one of our auctions, contact our specialist, James Spiridion, via james.spiridion@wilson55.com or call us on 01270 623 878.
