J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. [London]: Bloomsbury, [1997].. First edition, first p...

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First Edition, First Printing, of the First Harry Potter Book, with One of the Very First Presentation Inscriptions by J. K. Rowling

J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. [London]: Bloomsbury, [1997].

First edition, first printing, of the first and rarest of the Harry Potter books, with the correct full number line ("10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1"), "Copyright © Text Joanne Rowling 1997" (rather than "J. K. Rowling"), and "Taylor1997" (rather than "Taylor 1997") on the copyright page, and with "1 wand" appearing twice (first and last) in the list of "Other Equipment" on page 53. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in black ink on the dedication leaf: "Breathe some more / smoke my way! / J. K. Rowling." Octavo (7.75 x 5 inches; 197 x 127 mm.). 223, [1, blank] pages.

Publisher's stiff color pictorial wrappers illustrated by Thomas Taylor. Very minor rubbing to the lower edges; one central crease down the spine; a diagonal crease to the lower outer corner of the back cover, and another short crease to the middle of the back cover starting at the spine; a few additional tiny creases; tiny area of slight blistering to the outer edge of the back cover. Text very slightly browned, as usual. Very slight, almost imperceptible, crease in the lower blank margin of pages 159-200. A near fine copy.

This copy was inscribed to Daily Telegraph journalist Elisabeth Dunn during an interview for an article published on 29 June 1997 under the title "From the Dole to Hollywood" - Rowling's first interview to be printed in a national newspaper. Ms. Dunn interviewed the author at Nicholson's Cafe in Edinburgh, where the book was inscribed. In a signed letter of authenticity, Dunn explains how she was addicted to Gauloises cigarettes and had, during the interview, blown smoke in the direction of Rowling, who had recently given up smoking. Dunn notes in the letter that signing books was "a novel experience" for Rowling at the time.

Together with the Typed Letter Signed (at lower left) from Elizabeth Dunn, dated 23 April 2003, with her address at the top and with "Elizabeth Dunn" written in pencil above the address. In the original envelope addressed to "Mr R M Collins." The letter is typed double-spaced in eight lines, and is folded twice, with one vertical and one horizontal crease: "This book was inscribed and signed by J.K. Rowling in June 1997 just after its first London publication, / in Nicholson's Café in Edinburgh where much of the story was written. / The enigmatic inscription needs some explanation. We met to conduct an interview (the first to be / printed in a national newspaper) for the Daily Telegraph at a time when Rowling, who had been / very hard up, had recently given up smoking. As the interviewer and addicted to Gauloises, I / hadn't and throughout our meeting, Rowling continually leaned into the smoke to pick up the / secondary nicotine. Asked to sign the book (a novel experience for her at the time), she thought for / some moments before creating this inscription."

Also included is a transcript of the original Daily Telegraph article, and a "Document of Authenticity" from HP4U Authentication Services, dated "28/6/09," signed at lower left: "K. Bradwell" (Kevin Bradwell), with their unique silver hologram attached.