Harry Potter first edition saved from rubbish pile

In a remarkable turn of events, a first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' was rescued from being discarded. Daniel Pearce, the owner of an auction house in Devon, stumbled upon this rare book that was set to be thrown away. This particular edition is expected to fetch an impressive price of up to £40,000 at auction. Daniel discovered the book while sorting through the belongings of a deceased individual from Brixham. He expressed his excitement, stating, 'It's our biggest find. The family are delighted, they didn't expect it at all. it will be important money for them, and it has been sat on a shelf for 20 years. ' This first edition is one of only 500 copies that were printed initially, with 200 copies sent to bookstores and 300 distributed to libraries. Daniel noted that the book is in excellent condition for a library edition, which typically suffers from wear and tear over time. He remarked, 'Usually these come to the market beaten up and spines damaged. This one is great. ' The cover of the book features the iconic 'Hogwarts Express' train, with Harry Potter depicted in a shocked pose. Additionally, there is a quote at the bottom that reads, 'A terrific read and a stunning first novel- Wendy Cooling. ' Daniel Pearce recounted how he found the book resting on top of a pile of items destined for the rubbish bin. He shared, 'It's something everybody dreams of really. You pop into a property hoping to find something valuable. ' Upon examining the book, he identified several errors that confirmed its status as a first edition. For instance, there was a £2 pencil mark on the first page, indicating the price at which the library sold it when checked out. Furthermore, a misspelling of 'philosopher's' on the back cover, missing the 'o' at the end, was another clue. Daniel explained that other distinguishing features of first editions include the title line on the first few pages, which displays numbers from 10 down to one. He also mentioned that a similar copy in comparable condition sold for £42,000 last November. He believes that these first editions are among the most valuable contemporary books available today. This incredible discovery highlights the potential worth of certain books, especially those from beloved series like Harry Potter. It serves as a reminder to cherish our books and recognize their significance, both personally and financially.