A Copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Featuring Daniel Radcliffe's 'First' Autograph Just Sold for More Than $3000
Alright, Potterheads. Ready to feel old? Wednesday, June 26 marked the 22nd anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. And it seems that the books are still holding up—with both fans and collectors.
Forbes reports that a hardback edition of the book believed to contain Daniel Radcliffe's first autograph as Harry Potter sold recently in the U.K. for £2600, or about $3300. The book was also signed by Radcliffe’s co-stars Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley), and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone director Chris Columbus.
The book was owned, until this week, by Verity Collins, an extra on the first film. Forbes explains that, while autographs and pictures were not allowed on set, Columbus made an exception for Collins, who was battling leukemia at the time. Radcliffe reportedly signed her copy of the book on the first day of filming.
The book was auctioned by Vectis, a British auction house that specializes in toys. “The seller, who now lives in the south, has great memories of her time on the film and the way the cast treated her during a difficult time while she was ill but her mum said recently it had been sitting in a drawer," Vectis auctioneer Kathy Taylor told the BBC.
According to the BBC, Vectis estimated the book would sell for around $630. It has been reported that on top of the astounding $3300 purchase, the new owner will also pay 25 percent commission, bringing the total price paid up to more than $4100.
[h/t Forbes]