An uncommon copy of the first Harry Potter book that was never made available to the general public sold at auction for £8,000. J.K. Rowling autographed the book, which was one of only 15 made for a contest celebrating the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 15 years ago.
It was given to Cumbrian applicant Chloe Esslemont, who was 16 at the time.
Because there was no record of comparable copies selling, auctioneers had referred to it as “very uncommon.”
In 2012, competition organizer Bloomsbury requested fans of the series to write a colorful letter outlining why they adored it.
Only specially made post boxes at participating bookshops and libraries could be used to send entries.
One of the leather-bound books and a trip to Florida’s Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter were awarded to the overall winner.
One of the runners-up, Ms. Esslemont, who was 16 at the time, also received a book. Since “the money would be useful now,” she claimed, she had “kept the book wrapped up in the attic for years” but had now chosen to sell it.
She also sold her original competition entry, a folding paper that was modeled after the magical Marauder’s Map from the series and carried a tribute to her.
There was “plenty of interest,” according to Staffordshire’s Hansons Auctioneers.
Jim Spencer, the company’s book expert, provided a reference price range of £5,000–£10,000 earlier this month.
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