Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
First US Edition, Second Printing, Hardcover, Scholastic 1998, Signed by J.K. Rowling
In October 1998, as the magic of Harry Potter was only just beginning to take hold in America, J. K. Rowling embarked on her first U.S. promotional tour—a modest three-week journey that would precede the global phenomenon to come. This inaugural visit, the first of four she would make during the course of the series, was intimate in scale, with only a few hundred readers attending each appearance. By contrast, her 1999 return would draw many thousands, marking the transition from literary curiosity to cultural sensation.
The particular copy was signed in black pen on the half-title page during that historic first tour and is a superb first U.S. edition, second printing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, displaying all of the requisite points. The binding features the correct red spine over purple boards, with “J.K. Rowling” printed in full at the head of the spine. The copyright page bears the number line 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 and states “Printed in the U.S.A.” The first-state dust jacket is present, with raised gold lettering to the title, no numeral “1” on the spine, a rear panel quote from The Guardian rather than Publishers Weekly, and the original price of $16.95 intact on the front flap. At the time of this tour only first and second printing copies had been released so it is only possible to find authentic 1998 variation signatures in first and second printings of the book. This is a particularly rare and difficult variation of J.K. Rowlings signature to acquire.
The book remains in fine condition with pages that are clean and bright, with no internal markings, ownership inscriptions, or dog-eared corners. The boards are clean and unmarked, with sharp, well-preserved corners and a binding that is square and tight. The dust jacket is also in fine condition, showing no colour fading, and is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover.
The signature and inscription have been fully authenticated by Adam Houston ‘The HarryPotter Specialist’, widely regarded as the leading authority on authenticating J.K. Rowling’s signature. The book is accompanied by a complete authentication package, including a Letter of Authenticity and collector card.
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by Leanne O'Leary
