LONDON: A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has sold for £36,000 (RM202,320) at an auction, nearly 30 years after it was purchased for just £10 (RM56).
According to BBC, Christine McCulloch bought the book in 1997 from a bookshop in Stratford-upon-Avon for her son, Adam, unaware of its future value.
The sale took place on Wednesday at Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire, with the buyer paying £45,000 in total, including a buyer's premium.
According to Hansons Auctioneers, the book is one of only 500 hardback copies from the iconic series' first print run and it was estimated to be worth between £30,000 (RM168,600) and £50,000 (RM281,000).
Adam McCulloch, from Tansley, Derbyshire, revealed that the book had been stored in a cupboard under the stairs in their former Chesterfield home – a nod to the famous setting for Harry Potter's early life in the story.
The family discovered its potential value during the 2020 lockdown after reading about similar first editions.
"Once we got it verified, it was a bit of a pinch-yourself moment," Adam said.Recalling her 1997 purchase, Christine shared: "We went in (the bookshop), bought it for £10.
"Adam really loved the book, and it started off this sort of fascination, as with so many children all over the world now."
Adam said the family felt it was the right time to sell the book so others could appreciate it.
"In some ways I think having that bit of a story around it, some tea stains there and a folded over corner here where someone's enjoyed reading it - I think that adds to the magic," he said.