Rare Harry Potter first edition found in Bucks skip could sell for £12,000 at auction

The three first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone were salvaged by a teacher who couldn’t bear to see them go to waste when she spotted them in a skip in 2008 at the school where she used to work in Buckinghamshire.

The 65-year-old grandmother who did not wish to be named, said: “I love books and reading and it just seemed awful to throw them away, so I picked up about five Harry Potter books. I thought they might be useful for my children or grandchildren in the future. It was better than seeing them go to waste.”

She explained that she only became aware the books might be of some value after seeing similar ones sold on TV: “Last year we were watching a TV interview with Charles Hanson, owner of Hanson's Auctioneers, about the sale of a Harry Potter first edition which sold for thousands at auction and decided to get in touch.”

The hardback, one of only 500 printed in the first run in 1997, has an estimated value of £8,000-£12,000, while the two paperbacks have a guide price of £2,000-£3,000 each.

All are due to go under the hammer on 21 May at a Harry Potter-themed Library Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire.

The May sale has 17 Harry Potter auction lots but the star of the show is the first edition hardback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Jim Spencer, books expert at Hansons, said: “Hardback first editions of Philosopher’s Stone are as rare as hens’ teeth. They’re the holy grail for collectors, so I was amazed to find one last summer.

“The reason why I’ve put what may seem like a humble estimate of £8,000-£12,000 on the latest copy is because the binding is damaged. Internally it’s very good, though, and could surprise us.

“The paperback first editions are in good condition and could fly above their estimates.”

Of the 500 hardback first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone printed in 1997, around 300 were sent to British schools and libraries and some reached private book shops. They all contain various printing errors, corrected in later versions.

The books will be sold on May 21 in an online-only Harry Potter Library Auction at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffs, ST17 0XN. To find out more or arrange a free valuation, email [email protected].