Rowling, J.K. (1997) ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, UK first edition set of the first four impressions

Joanne Kathleen Rowling (1997) ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone‘, UK first edition collection of the first four impressions, all published in hardback by Bloomsbury. The buyer with receive:

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, UK first edition, first printing, hardback published by Bloomsbury. One of only 500 copies. all first issue points present: the Wendy Cooling blurb on the front panel; the rear panel bears the typo with an ‘o’ missing in “Philosopher’s” and “Hogwarts School of Wizardy and Witchcraft” instead of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Page 53 lists ‘wand’ twice as called for. No dust jacket as issued. This is NOT an ex-library copy, but one of the around 200 copies sold to the general public. In very good condition with page block toned and a few ageing spots to the page block edges. A leading professional conservationist has undertaken some minor restoration work to correct rubbing and splits to the board’s edges.
2. Harry Potter the Philosopher’s Stone, UK first edition, second printing, published by Bloomsbury. One of 1,000 copies. No dust jacket as issued. In beautiful and near fine condition with just a couple faint scratches to the rear board over the young wizard’s handle as shown. Not restored in any way.
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, UK first edition, third print, published by Bloomsbury. One of 500 copies. In near fine condition with minor shelf wear as shown. In the first dust jacket ever produced for this title.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, UK first edition, fourth print, published by Bloomsbury. One of 500 copies. In near fine condition with minor shelf wear as shown. With the dust jacket as called for.

A unique collection of one of the most desirable landmark 20th century first edition. The book that started the global Potter-mania. What is interesting are the changes to the boards over the different print runs. The second hardback print corrected the ‘wand’ mistake on page 53 as well as the typo in Philosopher’s on the rear board, but the overall design remained the same. Print three saw drastic changes. The Wendy Cooling burn at the bottom front edge was replaced with the Smarties Award reference, and the text on the rear board was replaced by a shorter synopsis.

We have never seen a collection like this offered anywhere else before.