Real life Harry Potter to sell his first edition copy of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone
24 September 2021 A 33-year-old man named Harry Potter has consigned his copy of 'Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone' to auction at Hansons.The sales manager from Hampshire was eight when the first Potter book came out. Thanks to Pottermania, he’s spent the last 25 years trying to convince people his name really is Harry Potter.
He said: “People just don’t believe me. People think it’s a wind up. I’ve had the Mick taken out of me over the years but you get used to it.”
The book was bought by Potter’s father David James Potter who died aged 71 after a long battle with cancer in October 2017.
Potter said: “With the proceeds from the sale, we would like to take dad’s ashes to Africa, the place he asked to finally rest, where we can make new and fantastic memories with our own children and families.”
The hardback first issue of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers Derbyshire Fine Art auction on October 14 with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.
The first edition, first impression, of the first Harry Potter book was printed only in 500 copies. Of these around 300 were given to libraries and schools and are typically in poor condition.
Read a guide to buying Modern First editions including Harry Potter books.