From Birmingham Live:
A rare first-edition of Harry Potter which was kept in pristine condition in a code-locked briefcase for decades has fetched a magic £50,000 at auction.
The hardback book is one of just 500 original copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone released in 1997 when JK Rowling was relatively unknown.
Its careful owners had kept the book safely stored away in a briefcase at their home, which they unlocked with a code, in order to preserve the treasured family heirloom.
Book experts had said the novel was in the best condition they have ever seen and estimated it could fetch £25,000 to £30,000 when it went under the hammer.
But the novel smashed its auction estimate when it was bought by a private UK buyer for a total price of £57,040 following a bidding war today (Thurs).
. . . .
Jim Spencer, books expert at Hansons, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled the book did so well – it deserved to.
“I couldn’t believe the condition of it – almost like the day it was made. I can’t imagine a better copy can be found.
“A 1997 first edition hardback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the holy grail for collectors as so few were printed.
“The owners took such great care of their precious cargo they brought it to me in a briefcase, which they unlocked with a secret code.
“It felt like we were dealing in smuggled diamonds.”
Link to the rest at Birmingham Live