First edition, first paperback printing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, signed by J.K. Rowling on the dedication page. Signed examples of the true first paperback printing are extremely rare, and this copy is particularly distinctive because it bears the larger and more flowing style of signature Rowling adopted around the year 2000, when the series had already become a worldwide phenomenon.
The book was signed in Edinburgh in 2000 during a special event following the publication of The Goblet of Fire. The original owner obtained a coveted "Golden Ticket" at the launch event at Waterstone's on George Street, which granted entry to a subsequent signing with Rowling at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms. According to the owner, Rowling greeted each child warmly and even joked that signing a slim paperback copy of Philosopher's Stone was easier on her wrist than the newly released Goblet of Fire. A full written account from the original owner describing the event is available.
The first paperback printing was issued simultaneously with the first hardback edition on 26 June 1997 in a print run of 5,150 copies, alongside only 500 hardbacks. The true first Bloomsbury issue can be identified by the following points: the Wendy Cooling quote on the front cover; 'Philosopher's' misspelled as 'Philospher's' and 'Witchcraft and Wizardry' reversed on the rear cover; number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; the full name 'Joanne Rowling'; the missing space between 'Thomas Taylor1997' on the copyright page; and '1 wand' listed twice on page 53.
A near fine copy. The covers remain bright with fresh colours. The delicate laminate layer - often damaged in surviving copies - is fully intact. The spine shows only a minimal reading crease and the spine ends remain sharp. Corners lightly bumped. The binding is excellent. Pages are clean and fresh with only very mild toning to the half-title and final page; the remaining pages show virtually none. A minute indentation to the upper corner of pages 110-118. No inscriptions or dog-eared pages.
The book is housed in an elegant full-leather clamshell box featuring a fragment of the original cover illustration. The complete provenance of the book is known. The authenticity of the signature has been confirmed by Adam Houston of The Harry Potter Specialist, the world's sole specialist in J.K. Rowling's signature. A Letter of Authenticity is included.
