Rare proof sheets of first Harry Potter book sell for almost $50,000 at auction
April 29, 2022, 7:46 am

Rare proof sheets of first Harry Potter book sell for almost $50,000 at auction

Book collection of Harry Potter (Photo: Pixabay)

The Anews reported, citing the DPA , the only known surviving set of galley sheets for JK Rowling's "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone" has sold for £37,500 ($46,745) after causing "quite a stir" at auction.

The never-before-seen uncorrected sheets are a version of the book that was sent before final proofreading and consists of 224 numbered pages on 109 sheets.

The set of sheets sold for almost double its pre-sale low estimate of £20,000, after a frenzied bidding war was won by a private collector bidding on the telephone from overseas.

At the time, a copy of the book was sent from Rosamund Walker, the marketing manager of Bloomsbury Children's Books, to Fiona Waters, the children's book reviewer, in February 1997.

Rare proof sheets of first Harry Potter book sell for almost $50,000 (Photo: Pixabay)

In an accompanying letter, Walker wrote: "Dear Fiona, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Joanne Rowling. I have enclosed a manuscript for your interest as promised... I would really appreciate if you would let me know your comments for pre-publication quotes."

Children’s book axed by Oxford University Press over Islamophobia allegations

A month later, Waters replied: "I just loved this book. There is something about Harry Potter that reminds me of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Waters' quote was used as a review on the back of the first edition of the book that was printed.

Clive Moss, head of Chiswick Auctions books, manuscript and works on paper, said: "We are thrilled with the result of this only known surviving set of galley sheets today, which were on the market for the first time and caused quite a stir.

"The Batman" tops North American box office for second weekend in a row

"We expected stiff competition for them, as they offered a unique insight into what was to become an iconic work in the history of literature."

Source: anews

HRW: Several hundred killed and maimed by landmines around Libyan capital in two years Lebanon running out of passports and suspends renewal requests

Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.