A very well-preserved copy of the first UK Bloomsbury edition, fourth hardback printing, of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, published in 1998. Near-fine book in a near-fine original dust jacket, with the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4.
This early impression predates the introduction of the Hogwarts crest on the half-title and title pages, which did not appear until the eighth hardback printing. It retains the original pictorial boards and first-state dust jacket, featuring the earliest textual points, including the non-italicised Philosopher's Stone, the absence of a comma in 'Tom El-Shawk Age 11', and the capitalisation of 'Age'.
The book is in near-fine condition, with bright, clean pictorial boards and only minor bumping to the lower front corner. The remaining corners and spine ends are sharp, and the binding is tight and firm. The interior is exceptionally fresh, with clean pages showing virtually none of the age-related browning commonly encountered in early Bloomsbury printings. The book appears unread.
The original, unclipped first-state dust jacket is also near fine, showing only slight fading to the spine and minor waviness along the edges. Otherwise, it is remarkably well preserved, with no noticeable edgewear or shelfwear.
An attractive example of a very early hardback printing of the second novel in the Harry Potter series, retaining its original first-state dust jacket and preserved in excellent, apparently unread condition.
