A rare Harry Potter first edition which was kept in pristine condition for 25 years after its owner almost returned it to a bookshop has fetched almost £70,000 at auction.
The hardback copy of the the Philosopher’s Stone was bought in 1997 and has been stored in darkness, left unread, unopened and in a protective sleeve ever since.
But its owner almost let the valuable book slip through his fingers after he nearly returned it to ask for his £12.99 back - because it didn't have a dust jacket.
The "as-good-as-new" copy, one of only 500 ever printed, has now sold for £69,000 at Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall Derbys.
