"A MARRIAGE OF GOOD WRITING, INVENTIVENESS AND SHEER CHILD APPEAL"

ROWLING, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. (London): Bloomsbury, 1997. Octavo, original stiff paper wrappers. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. $26,000.

First edition, softcover issue, of the first book in the phenomenally popular Harry Potter series.

"A marriage of good writing, inventiveness and sheer child appeal that has not been seen since Roald Dahl, perhaps even since Tolkien, Lewis and Ransome," Rowling's extraordinarily popular Harry Potter series has become a modern fantasy classic praised by children, teachers and parents (The Times). First published in 1997 in a hardcover edition of only 500 copies; this softcover edition was published simultaneously in a print run of 5500 copies, using the same sheets as the hardcover edition. With list of equipment on page 53 with "1 wand" listed twice, and misprint "Philospher's" on back panel. Owner signature to half title.

Small faint stain to text block edge. A near-fine copy.