HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

Uncorrected proof copy of the first edition, first printing. Publisher's original white card covers printed in yellow and black. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh, soft vertical creasing to the spine edges. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Housed in a bespoke quarter red morocco, felt lined, solander case with titles in gilt to the spine.

Introducing Harry Potter. The first appearance of the complete novel, preceding all others. It is generally accepted (and noted by Bloomsbury) that the publisher produced 200 copies of this advance proof state, the bulk of which were distributed to critics and booksellers for the purpose of review and to elicit orders of the first edition. No copies were permitted for sale. The first edition was published on 30 June 1997 in an edition of 500 hardcover copies (primarily for libraries and schools) and 5,150 copies in softcover. There are several minor differences in this proof state, most notably the author is listed as 'J. A. Rowling' on the copyright page, the text was reset and this error corrected in the first edition. [Errington AA1 (a)].