A rare copy of the first Harry Potter book just sold for nearly £60,000
Get checking your loft!
If you can believe it, the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - AKA the first in the series - was released a whopping 22 years ago in 1997. Feeling old yet?
And whilst most Potter super-fans had the original copy of the book with that now-iconic illustration on the front of Harry at King's Cross on Platform 9-and-three-quarters, there was actually an incredibly rare hardback version of that... With only 500 copies made.
Today, a couple from Lancashire sold their first-edition copy of the book at an auction - and earned a huge £57,040 for their rare version of the book! Choosing to remain anonymous, the couple decided to sell it - and it went for almost £30,000 more than they'd expected!
The couple revealed that they'd been hoping to keep the book as a family heirloom, and have kept the novel locked up in a coded briefcase along with a similar edition of the second novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, for over 20 years - meaning it's in excellent condition.
They said, "It's been locked away in a briefcase along with a first edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets which is also up for auction. The plan was to keep them as family heirlooms, which is why my wife put them in a briefcase. It was to stop the pages turning yellow.
"It goes without saying that we’re absolutely delighted with the price achieved. The book was given to us as gift by an aunt when our children were small. She bought it at an independent book shop when it was first published."
Hansons Auctioneers’ Jim Spencer 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."
Scroll through to see what the child cast of Harry Potter look like now...
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe
The last Harry Potter film was released in 2011. Here's what the main cast of children look like all grown up!
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe had already starred in David Copperfield when he was cast as the most famous boy in the UK, Harry Potter.
Daniel Radcliffe
Since Harry Potter ended, Daniel has starred in a number of stage productions and films.
Rupert Grint
Rupert had only starred in school plays when he was cast as Harry Potter's best friend Ron Weasley.
Rupert Grint
Rupert has starred in a number of films including, Moonwalkers, he also appeared on screen in the A.B.C. Murders. He's now also a proud dad, welcoming his first daughter in 2020.
Tom Felton
Tom was cast as Harry's school nemesis Draco Malfoy. He had already starred in a number of commercials and the film 'The Borrowers'.
Tom Felton
Most recently Tom starred as CSI Julian Albert / Doctor Alchemy on the third series of The Flash.
Emma Watson
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001 was Emma's debut screen performance.
Emma Watson
Emma has starred in a number of films and took on the role of Belle in the live action version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis starred as Neville Longbottom, who ended up being one of heroes of the story.
Matthew Lewis
The term 'Longbottoming' was coined to describe people who became extremely attractive when they grew up after Matthew Lewis turned into a hunk!
NOW WATCH: James Arthur Worked With Harry Potter Actor Tom Felton And Told Us All About It!
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