Heritage Auctions to Feature Rare J.K. Rowling Proof in Dallas Auction

Heritage Auctions is set to showcase a rare uncorrected book proof of J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" at its upcoming Historical Platinum Signature auction in Dallas. This unique proof, which contains a misspelling of the author's name as "J. A Rowling," is part of a limited print run of only 200 copies, marking its significance as the first printed version of the beloved story. The proof exhibits signs of wear, including soiled wrappers, creases, scuffs, and stains. The auction will also include a first edition hardcover of the novel, which is notable for containing several printing errors. According to Francis Wahlgren, Heritage Auctions' international director of rare books and manuscripts, a first edition sold for $471,000 in 2021, while copies without the mock-up have fetched around $18,000, and those with the mock-up have sold for approximately double that amount. The hardcover edition, limited to just 500 copies, features additional misprints, including "Philospher's" and "Wizardry and Witchcraft," as well as errors on the copyright page. Wahlgren emphasized that this auction will provide an opportunity to reassess the market for these rare editions, which have always been highly sought after by collectors. Bidding for the auction will commence on July 1 and conclude on July 25. In a related note, a hardcover edition of the "Harry Potter" book without errors had initial offers of $250,000 at a Christie’s auction in 2022, highlighting the ongoing demand for these iconic literary works.