First edition of Harry Potter sells for 3600 times its original value at auction

Many people remember with fondness the time that they acquired their first Harry Potter book. Even to this day, people are coming across the stories of The Boy Who Lived for the first time. There's no wrong age at which to think of yourself under the Sorting Hat as you enter the wizarding world for yourself. Nonetheless, 1997 saw customers picking up the work of an unknown author and bringing it home from the bookstore to see if it had anything to offer. One such copy has been sold by an English mother after 27 years and the selling price is astonishing.

Gallons of Galleons for a first edition

The Independent recently reported on the outcome of an auction. Christine McCulloch bought a children's book for her son Adam in 1997 and "had no idea the book would be so valuable 30 years later." Adam left the book in a cupboard in the family's old Chesterfield home and didn't think of its value until seeing stories about similar editions. "Once we got it verified, it was a bit of a pinch yourself moment," said Adam.

The book is not in pristine condition, but its original owner says that "having that bit of story around it some tea stains there and a folded over corner here where someone's enjoyed reading it - I think that adds to the magic." What makes it unusual is that there were only 500 hardback copies printed in te first edition. Adam enjoyed reading a book that is now valued at between 36,000 and 50,000 pounds.

Sotheby's recently auctioned off the watercolor painiting used for the first book for over one million pounds. While it was valued between 3300,000 and 480,000, its "actual sale price propelled the piece to become the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold." It was artist "Thomas Taylor's first professional commission, which he created when he was just 23 years old." The attention gained prompted Taylor to remark that "it takes me back to the experience of reading Harry Potter for the first time - one of the first people in the world to do so - and the process of creating what is now an iconic image."

Many other Potter fans are thinking of whether they might have such a valuable item in their collection. Perhaps some more first editions will come to light and we will be on the lookout for what becomes of them.