A Harry Potter first edition bought at a jumble sale for 25p sold for a staggering £28,500 at auction on Bargain Hunt.
It was one of only 500 hardback copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – the first in JK Rowling’s series. The world's most famous author was born in Yate and later moved to Winterbourne before writing her incredible books.
The owner of the valuable book, a 54-year-old office worker, read it then left it on the shelf for 20 years before finally having it valued last year. It went under the hammer at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, and, after a bidding war and was bought by a UK collector, according to the Mirror.
READ MORE: Harry Potter star supports JK Rowling and wishes people would 'just listen'
“I can’t believe it," the owner told the show. "It’s what I’d hoped for but I never really believed my book would make that price.”
Auctioneer Charles said on the BBC1 show: “Even now the softback publications, which were first editions, are fetching thousands of pounds. But this is a hardback and one of only 500. It’s so important in that great history of Harry Potter.”
Jim Spencer, head of books at Hansons, said: “I was slightly caught in disbelief when I first saw it. I receive calls every week from people saying they have a first-edition Harry Potter.
“In fact, when news of this discovery broke, I was receiving 50 emails a day. But most copies can invariably be ruled out in seconds.
“I found the book when I was called to a client’s house near Stafford to value three boxes of books. And here it was – the holy grail of Harry Potter books. I was so excited. Every book valuer dreams of finding one of these.”
UP NEXT:
