First Run Potter Book Fetches $40K at Auction

NEW YORK—A hardcover edition of J.K. Rowling’s first novel in the Harry Potter saga pulled down more than $40,000 at a Christie’s auction here last Thursday.

This first-edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was signed “Joanne Rowling” on the back of the title page, according to The Associated Press. Published by Bloomsbury PLC, the book’s initial print run of just 500 copies makes it difficult to find first editions in top condition because many were purchased by libraries.