Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
First UK Edition, First Printing, First State, Hardcover, J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury 1999, Pristine Condition
Offered here is an exceptionally rare first state copy of the first UK printing of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, widely regarded as one of the most desirable Bloomsbury Harry Potter titles.
This copy displays all requisite first-state points: the dropped text on page 7, “Joanne Rowling” listed on the copyright page, and the complete number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. While three “states” were once reported, the third is now generally accepted to represent the first Australian edition. True first-state UK copies are therefore significantly scarcer than later states.
The book and original dust jacket are in outstanding, pristine condition. The book is unread, with a tight binding, square boards, and sharp corners. The pages are bright white and entirely free from toning, creases, marks, inscriptions, or writing of any kind. Remarkably, there is no colour fading whatsoever to either the book or the dust jacket—an extremely rare feature for this title. The dust jacket is unclipped and preserved in a removable archival cover.
The book is housed in a bespoke dark green clamshell box, finished with gold gilt lettering to the leather spine, offering both protection and an elegant presentation.
Approximately 5,000 copies of the first printing were produced across both states, though the precise breakdown is unknown. What is certain is that far fewer first-state copies appear on the market, particularly in such exceptional, unread condition.
This is a highly sought-after and increasingly scarce example of a cornerstone Bloomsbury Harry Potter volume—an outstanding opportunity for the serious collector.
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by Leanne O'Leary
