An original Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book that was discovered in a primary school cupboard is set to fetch up to £20,000 at auction.
A headteacher at a school in Oxford found a proof copy of JK Rowling’s first novel in the Harry Potter series.
Bob Alder, 75, came across the copy when tidying out a cupboard at St Kenelm’s Primary School. However, it later went missing in 2015 and was only rediscovered this year.
Alder, who has now retired from his role of headteacher, said that the school is filled with anticipation over the book auction.
Students at the school chose to read editions with colourful front covers, rather than the plain edition
PA
“There is high excitement among staff who want it live streamed - I will tuning in at that point and biting my nails,” said the former headteacher.
It is expected to fetch between £15,000 to £20,000 at Hansons Auctioneers.
The book is one of 200 copies believe to have printed by Bloomsbury.
JK Rowling is referred to as JA Rowling on the title page.
The primary school in Minster Lovell, Witney, Oxfordshire, purchased the book back in 1997 for £1.
"I thought this is probably going to have to some value to it. I thought in terms for a few hundred, and then a few thousand but to find out it might go for £20,000 is fantastic," Alder said when he discovered the book in a cupboard.
The school has decided to put the book up for sale so it can use the money on new equipment, books and resources, which will help pupils “further their own love of literature”.
The proof copy was available in the school’s library up until 2002, but was hardly picked up, as students tended to gravitate towards editions with illustrations on the cover.
St Kenelm’s Primary School decided to remove it from their library 21 years ago, after they recognised that the book could be valuable.
JK ROWLING LATEST:
JK Rowling published her first novel in the series in 1997
PA
However, the novel disappeared in 2015, and there were concerns that it had been thrown out with other old paperbacks.
Jim Spencer, head of books at Hansons Auctioneers said: “The plain cover evidently didn't inspire many, if any, takers, and so it has survived remarkably well.
"As soon as Harry Potter mania developed, the school wisely removed it from the borrowing shelves."
Spencer highlighted the importance of this edition: “This book is where it all began. This is the very first appearance in print of the first Harry Potter novel.
"The author's signing tours, the midnight queues outside bookshops, the movies, the merchandise - it all stems from this."
Alongside the proof copy, a proposed illustrated cover of the first book as well as a 15th anniversary competition prize edition of the novel will be auctioned.