An ultra rare Harry Potter first edition one of just a handful made has been found in a house clearance among items earmarked for the tip.
Auctioneer and Harry Potter nut Daniel Pearce made the discovery of a lifetime which is now for sale – for £30,000.
The first impression, first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one just 500 printed and one of just 300 issued to libraries.
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Mr Pearce of NLB Auctions, Paignton, Devon, unexpectedly found it during a house clearance in nearby Brixham as reported by What’s The Jam.
“It’s what everyone dreams of.
“I popped into the property and there wasn’t much of value.
“But experience tells you that you have to check everything.
“And there sticking out of a pile on a cardboard box near the front door earmarked for the tip was this first edition,” he said.
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“I saw the front cover and knew for definite what it was.
“I nearly fell over to be honest.
“It’s the find of a lifetime.
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“We’re a smally family run auction house and we’ll likely not see another one.
“It’s one of 500 made and just 300 that went to libraries – and considering that it’s in cracking condition.”
He added that another library first edition that sold recently went for £42,000.
“To find a true first edition is extraordinary,” he added.
“And extraordinarily unlikely.
“I believe they are the most expensive contemporary first editions now.”
Incredibly Daniel named his business after his daughters who were themselves named after Harry Potter characters.
“NLB was named after my daughters – Nova, Luna and Bellatrix,” he said.
“JK Rowling was famous for naming her characters after astronomical objects.
“And my daughters are all named after Harry Potter characters.”
He said the first edition was his biggest find.
“It was sat on a bookshelf for 20 years and never thought about,” he said.
“Until we came along.”
He said the family who want to remain anonymous were delighted and didn’t expect it at all.
The book is being auctioned on Saturday February 8 and has a guide price of £20,000 to £30,000.
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