A fine copy of the scarce first UK edition, ninth Bloomsbury hardback printing, with the number line 10 9. Retains the original Joanne Rowling attribution on the copyright page and the illustration of a young wizard smoking a pipe on the rear cover and dust jacket.
As no sixth or seventh hardback printings were issued, the ninth printing represents only the seventh actual hardback impression.
Of particular bibliographical interest is the reappearance of the original double ‘1 Wand’ error on page 53, corrected after the first printing but unexpectedly reintroduced in the eighth and ninth UK hardback printings. Although standard in Canadian editions, this error is rarely encountered in UK Bloomsbury printings. Another unusual feature is the original dust jacket, which lacks the £10.99 price on the front flap.
An exceptionally well-preserved, apparently unread copy. Sharp corners and spine ends, immaculate boards, clean endpapers and a firm binding. Internally pristine, without inscriptions or markings. The pages remain remarkably bright, with virtually none of the usual toning. The fine dust jacket retains vibrant colours and shows no noticeable fading or wear.
An outstanding example of this scarce and bibliographically distinctive early hardback printing.
