J.K. Rowling | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue

J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. London: Bloomsbury, 1997

8vo (197 x 125mm.), FIRST EDITION, (hardback issue), ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' on publisher's imprint page), original laminated pictorial boards by Thomas Taylor, contemporary ink ownership inscription on half-title, boards very lightly rubbed or bumped at corners and head and foot of backstrip, spine sunned, OTHERWISE A FINE COPY

This legendary rarity was issued in an edition of 500 copies hardback and 5150 copies of the paperback, with no priority for either issue. Approximately 300 of the hardback copies were sent immediately to libraries.

The seventh line of the publisher's imprint page carries no space between 'Taylor' and '1997'; p. 53 has in 'Other Equipment' listed twice '1 wand'; the lower cover has misspelt 'Philospher's'.

This was the illustrator Thomas Taylor's first professional commission and his impression of the sorcerer on the lower cover was a personal generic representation. "I was asked to provide a "wizard to decorate the back cover". So I did. The books are full of magical characters and sorcerers, so it wasn't difficult to conjure up one of my own. It never even crossed my mind to depict Dumbledore". The publishers were inundated with queries over this depiction and it was later replaced by a specific portrayal by Taylor of Dumbledore, probably for the 18th impression.

LITERATURE:

Errington, Rowling A1(a)

PROVENANCE:

Charlotte, contemporary inscription on half-title to the present owner "To Charlotte on your 9th birthday, our love and best wishes, Nana xxx and Grandad xxx"