How to Spot a First Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one of the most talked about books in the world of secondhand literature. However, there is a lot of false information out there that might leave you thinking that your copy of the first Harry Potter is worth a lot more than it actually is.

In this post we’ll share what you can look for to determine if your copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is truly a first edition.

The “true first”, and by far most valuable, printing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in London, in 1997, by Bloomsbury publishers. It was published in both a hardcover and paperback format. Whether you have a hard or softcover copy, taking the following steps can help you determine if you’re dealing with a valuable book.

Step One

Look for the following on the title page: “Bloomsbury” followed by a date of 1997 (no later!)

Step Two

Turn to the copyright page. You should find a full number line, which looks like this: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.

If yours doesn’t run from 10 to 1, it isn’t a first printing!

Step Three

Check the back cover to see if there is an “o” missing in the word “Philosopher’s.”

So far so good? You might have something valuable on your hands! To be sure, you should talk to an expert. That’s where we come in.

Contact us at 204-947-5931 to purchase a professional appraisal or to schedule an appointment to sell your books.