Harry Potter: two lots demonstrate the value of a signature and the difference between pristine and scruffy copies

Showing hardly any signs of wear and signed by JK Rowling – and originally acquired at a special signing at Harrods, as revealed by a laid-in ticket – a near pristine first issue copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' of 1997, appeared at auction earlier this month.

One of just 500 printed, it sold for a record $130,000 (£102,180) at Christie’s New York (25/20/12…

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