It presented both an uncorrected proof copy of the book in its blue and white wrappers and a proof design for the dust jacket that bears a different quote from that seen on the first edition as eventually published.
On the dust jacket proof illustrated here a quote appears from Nicolette Jones of the Sunday Times that reads “A Wizards story in every sense”, whereas the book as eventually published bore the “Inventive and Action Packed” line from a review that appeared in The Bookseller.
Consigned to auction (via the Rogers Jones Cardiff office) by a collector from Carmarthenshire, the double lot was valued at just £500-700 but attracted a great deal of bidding interest at this Welsh auction, all of it online, and ended up selling online at £11,000.
That is more, I think, than any straightforward first of …Chamber of Secrets has made at auction, even those bearing good inscriptions in Rowling’s hand.
