Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is by far the most valuable book in the series, and has the potential to be worth a lot of money. Published on 30 June 1997 by Bloomsbury in London, the book has become a classic in the world of literature and a must-have for any Harry Potter fan.
However, to have any real collectable value, it has to be a copy of the first edition, first impression (also known as the first printing). These copies are extremely rare and valuable, and are highly sought after by collectors.
The first edition, first impression copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone can be identified by several features. The cover will have a line of text that reads “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” at the bottom, and the copyright page will contain the line “First published in Great Britain by Bloomsbury 1997”. The back cover will also feature a review from The Sunday Times, and the book will be printed on thicker paper than later editions.
These first edition, first impression copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone can be worth a lot of money. In 2017, a copy sold for £68,812 at auction, making it one of the most expensive books ever sold. Other copies have sold for as much as £50,000, and it is estimated that there are only 500-600 copies in existence.
For Harry Potter fans, owning a copy of the first edition, first impression of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a dream come true. Not only is it a valuable collectable, but it is also a piece of literary history. With the right care and attention, it could be worth a lot of money in the future.