After reading the entire Harry Potter book series, watching all 7 films, playing Lego Harry Potter, and learning the trading card game, I have officially caught the Harry Potter collecting bug.
After hours of research, I pulled the trigger on a signed 1st edition, 1st printing of HP and the Sorcerers Stone. While not the English counterpart, I find this an amazing addition to my collection.
A little backstory to this particular copy: In October 1998, JK Rowling embarked on her first American tour to promote her new book, āHarry Potter and the Sorcerers Stoneā. In England, the Harry Potter craze was in full bloom. In America, she was still a relatively unknown author. She traveled to New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle where she read a chapter of the novel and signed each attendeesā book. About 50-100 kids attended these events and, astonishingly, only 5 people attended in Seattle. Because there were so few who showed up in Seattle, Rowling offered to sign several copies for the Scholastic Staff to hand out to interested readers. This particular copy was one of them. The following year in 1999, Rowling returned to the states and the scene was quite different. One spectator said it was like āBeatlemaniaā and the āboy with a lightning scarā was the talk of the town. I am thrilled to own this 1st print copy because of the history and story behind it.
I purchased a first edition on eBay a few years back. Honestly I remember it being very cheap for what it is. Not sure what the prices are today but to me this is the best collectible in Harry Potter. I donāt have a signed copy but maybe one day. That is awesome!
Iāve been doing research on the books and looking in to the Bloomsbury 1st Printing sets. I can only hope to ever obtain a paper back copy of the Philosopherās Stone but the others Iād love to have in hard back. So many gorgeous artworks circulation in the HP book world. Like mentioned above - Potter Collector is an amazing resource to view a lot of these items. Glad to see someone else in here with the bug besides me.
Thanks for sharing your amazing book. Thatās a very nice signature and very nice book indeed! What else are you planning on getting?
Love all the comments! The Pottercollector on YouTube inspired me to get into collecting the books! His content is so informative on print runs, issue points, etcā¦
For me, it came down to either getting a softcover Philosophers Stone (15k) or a 1st print Sorcerers Stone signed by Rowling (5k)
I opted for Sorcerers Stone because Im in love with having the book signed by the author.
Some numbers to keep in mind:
Softcover Philosophers Stone (5,000 copies)
Sorcerers Stone 1st Print (30,000 copies)
Of Sorcerers Stone 1st Print, there are estimated to be under 1000 copies with JK Rowlingās 1998 signature.
When Rowling went on her 2nd American tour in 1999, she went on a signing blitz. Because of the amount of people, Rowling had to adapt her signature and write fasterā so much so that she developed arthritis in her right hand. Her 1999 signature is thus more sloppy and rushed than the ā98 counterpart.
I canāt express the feeling of opening my book and seeing Rowlings signature. Itās a piece of history reallyā¦ the best selling book franchise. Ever. I think weāre just in the beginning in terms of value.
I myself enjoy Harry Potter but my wife is obsessed and has the first couple books in 1st edition. I wish i knew more about them. Iām trying to get her into the Harry Potter trading cards and getting some booster boxes to display lol
Congrats on your addition keep us posted I enjoy seeing pokemon collectors other collections!
I bought a philosophers stone 1st print 1st impression paperback a few months ago on eBay. Picked up some of the boxes as well and a 4k dvd set Black Friday I want to pick up 1st prints of the other 6 books to have a matching paperback set!
I want to pick up 1st prints of the other 6 books to have a matching paperback set!