A rare Harry Potter first edition book littered with errors but loved by pupils is set to sell for £3,000.
The previous owner of the copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a teacher at a school in a book-testing scheme.
J.K. Rowling’s debut novel was sent out for children to read and rate as part of the Smarties Book Awards.
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The pupils were said to be entranced by the book and the teacher recalled children often stayed late to read just “one last page”.
It was voted the best book in the scheme, according to the auctioneers.
The current owner bought the copy at a book fair.
It was one of 5,000 first edition paperbacks published, as reported by What’s The Jam.
But it has a number of errors.
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It has the misspelling of ‘Philosopher’s’ as ‘Philospher’s’ on the rear cover.
The book also contains the blunder ‘Wizardry and Witchcraft’ instead of ‘Witchcraft and Wizardry’ on the back.
The famous author is listed as ‘Joanne Rowling’.
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There is no space between ‘Taylor’ and ‘1997’ on the copyright page.
Plymouth Auction Rooms in Devon is selling the paperback copy on April 29.
The listing reads: “This particular copy has a fascinating history tied to the original success of Harry Potter.
“Its previous owner, a teacher at a Plymouth primary school, was part of a book-testing scheme in the mid-’90s.
“The scheme involved students reading and rating several new books. J.K. Rowling’s freshly published Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was one of the chosen titles.
“The teacher’s class devoured the book, often staying late to read ‘just one more page’.
“The excitement around the book was palpable, with children begging to continue even after the school day ended.
“The class ultimately voted Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone the best book in the scheme, and many other classes across the country did the same.
“The book went on to win the Smarties Book Award in 1997.”
Earlier this year a rare first edition of the same book, which was set to be thrown away, went under the hammer for more than £21,000 at NLB Auctions in Paignton, Devon.
