First Edition Of Harry Potter Book Could Bring $25,000

By June 1997, J.K

By June 1997, J.K. Rowling was beginning anew. After separating from her husband, living on welfare and battling depression, she had completed a novel on an old manual typewriter. The story had been rejected by numerous editors before a small London company took a chance and published "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

With her characters about to storm the literary world, Rowling worked to publicize the book. Among the first to interview the author was Elisabeth Dunn, working for The Daily Telegraph. It was the first interview of Rowling to be published in a national newspaper.

The interview was conducted in Nicholson's Cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland, a favorite writing spot for Rowling. At the time, Rowling had recently given up smoking, Dunn recalls. "I hadn't, and throughout our meeting, Rowling continually leaned into the smoke to pick up the secondary nicotine."

Rowling gave a copy of her book to Dunn, who asked that it be signed -- "a novel experience for her at the time," Dunn says. Rowling thought for a moment before writing: "Breathe some more smoke my way! J.K. Rowling".

That paperback book -- the softcover first edition, first printing of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" -- is featured in a rare books auction scheduled for Feb. 11-12, 2010, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The book, offered by Heritage Auctions, could fetch up to $25,000.

"This book is particularly unique because it shows an early Rowling autograph," says James Gannon, director of rare books at Dallas-based Heritage Auctions. "The pronounced appearance of the 'w' and 'n' in Rowling's last name is rare. In subsequent years, her signature evolved into a much more fluid, less detailed configuration."

A hardcover, first printing of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" realized $33,460 in October 2007, while a softcover first printing of the same title with a signed card sold for $19,120 in March 2009. The book was printed in the U.S. under the title "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

by: Hector Cantu

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