The very scarce first edition, first printing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, published by Bloomsbury on 26 June 1997. Printing number line: 10 - 1; Wendy Cooling quote on the front cover; '1 wand' appears twice on page 53; 'Philospher's' on the back cover; and 'Wizardry and Witchcraft' [instead of 'Witchcraft and Wizardry'] on the back cover. No dust jacket as issued.
Bloomsbury has confirmed that 5,150 paperbacks and 500 hardbacks were issued in the first print run. The hardbacks were primarily intended for libraries, with 300 eventually being sent there. The remaining 200 copies were sold through bookstores. This is one of those latter copies. On the title page, the following inscription is written: "14th November 1997 (7yrs) To our beautiful and much loved daughter Hannah - enjoy the book. All our love, Mummy and Daddy," undersigned with four kiss marks and a small doodle. Below that, Hannah has written her name in blue marker.
The book was owned by Hannah for 25 years and was frequently read during that time, leaving its marks on the cover. When we received the book from the original owner, the plastic film layer was gone, and both the spine and corners were damaged. However, the contents of the book remained in excellent condition, with only a small, unobtrusive stain on page 84 and no other wear.
The damage to the cover was repaired by Marchelma van Breugel, one of the most prominent restorers of modern books. This restoration was carried out in full accordance with reversible conditions, allowing the book to be returned to its original state at any time. The primary purpose of this restoration is to ensure the book is optimally preserved.
A very important conservation technique has also been applied to this particular copy: The paper used for this book contains lignin, which changes color from yellow to dark brown under the influence of air, light, and heat. This acidification is often visible in old Harry Potter books, starting with discoloration along the edges of the pages and eventually affecting the entire sheet. This process makes the paper increasingly brittle, causing it to chip, tear, and crumble over time. The process continues as long as acid remains in the paper. This copy was made acid-free by Marchelma van Breugel, whose skills are frequently sought after by renowned museums. Thanks to this treatment, the acidification process has been halted.
The final result is a highly representative copy of this rare and valuable book.
Loosely inserted is a signed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone postcard, accompanied by a letter from J.K. Rowling’s office. With this signed postcard comes a letter of authenticity from J.K. Rowling signature expert Adam Houston of The Harry Potter Specialist, along with a collector's card detailing this rare signed item. For protection as well as display, an exceptional box was designed for this copy, combining classic elements such as brass lettering and a velvet inlay while incorporating contemporary details. The box was masterfully crafted by Jan Camps, a multiple winner of the SOB International bookbinding competition.
