Harry Potter first edition book sells for £36k
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It is estimated that there are only 500 first print books in existence. Credit: Rare book auctions
A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has sold for an impressive £36,000, a far cry from the £10 Christine McCulloch spent on it back in 1997. The book, originally purchased as a gift for her son, Adam, has now become a valuable collector’s item. The first edition, one of only 500 hardback copies published during the initial print run in 1997, was auctioned at Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on Wednesday, where it ultimately fetched £45,000, including the buyer’s premium.
Christine McCulloch had bought the book from a bookshop in Stratford-upon-Avon, never imagining it would one day be worth thousands. “I bought it for about £10, and at the time, I had no idea it would end up being worth so much,” she recalled. The sale of the book, which had been valued between £30,000 and £50,000, comes after the McCulloch family learned of its potential value during the 2020 lockdown. Adam, from Tansley, Derbyshire, said that they had kept the book in a cupboard under the stairs of their former home in Chesterfield, much like Harry Potter himself in the books and films.
The McCullochs only discovered the book’s worth when they came across stories about first editions during the pandemic. “Once we got it verified, it was a bit of a pinch-yourself moment,” Adam McCulloch said. As the family learned more about the book’s rarity, they began to understand just how valuable it had become. The 1997 hardback first edition is a sought-after item among collectors, especially given its limited print run and the increasing popularity of the Harry Potter franchise over the years.
Christine, who bought the book at a time when the Harry Potter series was just beginning to capture the public’s imagination, fondly remembers how her son was captivated by the book. “Adam really loved the book and it started off this sort of fascination, as with so many children all over the world now,” she said. What was once an ordinary purchase for her son has since become part of a much larger cultural phenomenon.
Despite the significant amount of money it fetched, Adam McCulloch believes that the book’s imperfections, such as tea stains and a folded corner, add to its charm. “In some ways, I think having that bit of a story around it, some tea stains there, and a folded-over corner where someone’s enjoyed reading it — I think that adds to the magic,” he said. The family’s decision to sell the book reflects their understanding of the joy it could bring to another fan of the series, as Adam sees it as a way to pass on something that brought him so much enjoyment in his childhood.
The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone remains one of the most valuable and sought-after books in modern publishing history. Published by Bloomsbury in 1997, the book’s limited first print run was not initially expected to generate the level of success that the series eventually achieved. As J.K. Rowling’s books grew in popularity, particularly after the release of the films, interest in first editions increased dramatically. As a result, these early copies have become prized possessions among collectors.
The McCulloch family’s story reflects how something as simple as a book, bought for £10 in a bookshop, can gain significant cultural and financial value over time. For many, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone represents the beginning of an era in children’s literature, and owning a first edition has become a symbol of fandom and a reminder of the series’ impact on multiple generations.
While the McCullochs are parting with their beloved copy, they have a lasting memory of their time with the book. The sale of the first edition is another chapter in the ongoing legacy of the Harry Potter series, which continues to enchant and inspire fans around the world.
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