First impression
1997- Copyright page
- 1997 is the only date given; full number line from 10 down to 1
- Number line
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1- Print run
- 500 (Confirmed by two sources, listed under sources)
- Binding
- Laminated pictorial boards with Thomas Taylor's cover art of Harry beside the Hogwarts Express. Issued without a dust jacket.
- Jacket
- None issued. A hardback in a jacket is either a later printing or has had a jacket added.
Points of issue
- title pageBloomsbury named at the foot of the page→ Bloomsbury UK edition
- copyright pageNumber line runs the full sequence from 10 down to 1→ first impression
- copyright page1997 is the only date printed→ first impression
- copyright pageAuthor named as Joanne Rowling in the copyright line→ early printing
- copyright pageNo space between the illustrator's surname and the year ('Taylor1997')→ early printing (also reported on the second impression)
- p.53In the list of school equipment, '1 wand' appears twice→ early printing (not proof of a first on its own)
- rear boardTitle misspelt 'Philospher's' (second o missing)→ first impression
- rear boardSchool name given with the two words in reverse order (Wizardry before Witchcraft)→ first impression
Traps and later printings: No UK book club issue is documented. The common traps are later Bloomsbury printings, which keep the 1997 date but lose the 1 from the number line.
Ex-library copies are common because most of the run went to libraries, so stamps and plastic sleeves are normal on this printing.
Errington A1(a). About 300 of the 500 went to libraries, so ex-library copies with stamps and sleeve marks are normal. Neither this hardback nor the simultaneous paperback has bibliographical priority. Check the copyright page first: the number line ending in 1 is the decisive point.
Value guide
No values yet
Values by condition appear once we have estimates or recorded sales for this printing.
Price history
Price history coming soon
Recorded sales of this printing appear here as we verify them.