Rare Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Found After Collector's Death

As his family went through his belongings, they sought assistance from the Richard Winterton Auctioneers, a well-known auction house based in Lichfield.

on Jul 11, 2023

Rare Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Found After Collector's Death

In a surprising turn of events, a rare edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has been discovered after the death of its collector. This particular edition was one of only 500 copies ever produced, making it a highly sought-after item among Harry Potter enthusiasts. The book had been feared lost during a house move and remained in storage until its recent retrieval. The unexpected find has now been auctioned off online, with a buyer from Los Angeles securing the winning bid.

Published in 1997, the edition in question was part of a limited run of 500 copies. Interestingly, out of these 500 copies, 300 were sent to libraries, while the rest were made available for private acquisition. The collector, a resident of Burntwood in Staffordshire, purchased the book from Wolverhampton Library, adding it to his cherished collection. His family had known about the book's value but believed it had gone missing after it was placed in storage during a house move that took place four years ago.

Tragically, the collector passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55 earlier this year. As his family went through his belongings, they sought assistance from the Richard Winterton Auctioneers, a well-known auction house based in Lichfield. A dedicated team from the auction house diligently scoured the stored items, hoping to find the missing gem among the hundreds of boxes containing the collector's beloved books.

The long-lost Harry Potter edition was eventually located amidst the sea of boxes. The sister of the deceased collector, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her relief at the recovery of the valuable book. She revealed that her brother had been passionate about books and other literary ephemera ever since his school days, which eventually led him into dealing with such items. The book that has been bought for 30p has now been sold for £10,500 at auction.

This story serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal and value of rare books, particularly those associated with beloved literary franchises like Harry Potter. It also highlights the importance of preserving and cherishing such treasures for future generations of readers and collectors to enjoy.