Released between 1997 and 2007, the Harry Potter series reshaped the landscape of children's literature, capturing the imaginations of readers around the world. Its themes of friendship, courage, and the eternal struggle between good and evil resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. When a client sent us their prized first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, we were thrilled to conserve such a magical treasure!
The front of the book prior to conservation.
The back of the book prior to conservation.
Upon arrival, the book exhibited creasing at the upper right corner, discoloration at the text block, and a layer of surface grime. Our conservators got to work: the piece was photographed for in-house documentation before and after treatment, then surface cleaned using appropriate conservation methods and materials. It was treated with a deacidification spray to introduce an alkaline reserve into the paper. Finally, we addressed the crease locally to reduce it as much as possible.
The front of the book after conservation.
The back of the book after conservation.
Once reunited with the book, our client explained its importance:
“In 1997, the first “Harry Potter” book hit shelves in the United Kingdom. It was an instant smash hit, and twenty-seven years later, it is the best-selling book franchise of all time. Over 500,000,000 copies have been sold.
In America, “Harry Potter” was introduced in the novel “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” But that wasn’t the original title. Originally, it was called “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” As the story goes, when bringing the book to the U.S., the publisher thought 'Philosopher' sounded less appealing than 'Sorcerer' (probably a good call). So, the name change adds interest to early books, but also, the first run had a few very noticeable errors. On the back cover, 'Philosopher' is misspelled, and the copyright page shows 'Joanne Rowling' rather than 'J.K. Rowling.'
The error on the back cover.
There are other issues, too, all of which make first editions even more intriguing than they would normally be. And they’re rare. There were only 500 hardback editions (or “library editions”) and 5,150 paperbacks. Three hundred of the pressboard hardback copies went to libraries. As you might imagine, they were well-read, and hardly any remain in good condition. That left only 200 hardbacks for private sale. There are many more paperbacks, but like the library books, people read them, reread them, and passed them along to their friends and their friends’ kids. All that is as it should be. Books are made to be read. But collectors care about preserving artifacts, and well-preserved first-run “Philosopher’s Stone” books are few and far between.”
One of the most compelling aspects of Harry Potter books is their scarcity, which has created a vibrant marketplace for collectors. A rare first edition of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sold at Heritage Auctions for an astonishing $471,000, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for any edition of the boy wizard's first book. The few copies that have appeared at auction have become some of the most sought-after titles in modern literature, with two others fetching over $138,000 in 2021.
"And not only is it the most expensive Harry Potter book ever sold, it's the most expensive commercially published 20th-century work of fiction ever sold," said Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena in a press release. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was brought to life on the big screen two decades ago, and this result shows the power of that combination of literature and cinema. These books are being rewarded for the results of their films."
Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios in Florida.
The magic of Harry Potter extends beyond its pages, as many collectors have personal stories intertwined with the series. For countless readers, these books were not just stories but gateways into the world of literature, sparking a lifelong love of reading. As the legacy of the Wizarding World evolves, so too will the passion and dedication of its collectors, ensuring that the magic will be cherished for generations to come.
If you’d like to learn more about our client’s collecting journey, follow along on his blog!
