Rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with author’s name written as ‘J A Rowling’ sells for £22,000

  • In celebration of 20 years since the original film was released, the proof copy was offered for sale.
  • The title page of the book says, “J.A. Rowling after it was accidentally printed
  • It was expected to go for around £8,000 but its went for nearly triple guide price










A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone which has JK Rowling’s name spelt wrong has sold for £22,000.

The proof copy went up for auction to mark 20 years since the first young wizard film was released.

However, the book’s title page has “J.A.” Rowling, after a printing error.

It was expected to sell for around £8,000 but it went for nearly triple the guide price.

A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which has JK Rowling's (pictured) name spelt wrong has sold for £22,000

A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone which has JK Rowling’s (pictured) name spelt wrong has sold for £22,000

The proof copy went up for auction to mark 20 years since the first young wizard film was released

In celebration of 20 years since the debut young wizard film, the proof copy went on auction

But on the title page of the book it has 'J.A. Rowling' following a mistake when it was printed

However, the title page has “J.A.” Rowling, following an error in its printing

Ewbanks listed the following listing in Woking (Surrey): “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Bloomsbury 1997 by J.K. Rowling.

The original yellow and white wrappers are still in their original condition.

One of 200 copies, including error on title page “J.A Rowling”,

“In excellent condition. Only very slight handling. There is a tiny crease at the spine. Each page is present and in good condition.

The listing for auctioneers Ewbanks, in Woking, Surrey, read: 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bloomsbury, 1997, by J.K. Rowling'

Ewbanks listed the following listing in Woking (Surrey): “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Bloomsbury 1997 by J.K. Rowling”

JK Rowling penned the seven Harry Potter books over a decade between 1997 and 2007 and they were all turned into blockbuster films

JK Rowling was the author of seven Harry Potter books. These were written over a decade from 1997 to 2007 and all became blockbuster movies.

JK Rowling penned the seven Harry Potter books over a decade between 1997 and 2007 and they were all turned into blockbuster films.

They have been read by more than 500million people worldwide – amassing her an £820million fortune.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone movie hit cinemas in November 2001 after the novel came out in 1997.

The highest price ever paid for the book was £145,000 by American businessman Jeremy Padawer in March for a rare first edition.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone movie hit cinemas in November 2001 after the novel came out in 1997

After the publication of the book in 1997, Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was released in movie theaters on November 1, 2001.

The highest price ever paid for the book was £145,000 by American businessman Jeremy Padawer in March for a rare first edition. Pictured: The cast in the first movie

The highest price ever paid for the book was £145,000 by American businessman Jeremy Padawer in March for a rare first edition. Pictured: First movie cast

The Rowling Library heard from him this past year, “I didn’t intend to buy the best-condition first edition hardback Harry Potter books I have ever seen.”

His explanation was that he didn’t want to buy the book. However, it struck me how important it was to me and how rare it is. I was both emotional and transactional and I jumped right in when it came up.

193,000 dollars is an enormous amount of money. This is something that I don’t take lightly. It is important that we embrace our passions, diversify our portfolios, and I believe this should be the case for everyone. It did the latter for me.

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