A scarce Harry Potter first edition given to an RSPCA charity shop has raised thousands of pounds for the animal charity.
The book, given by a mystery donor to the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch, sold for a hammer price of £7,500 at Hansons Auctioneers (Feb 26). All funds raised will directly go towards helping animals in the charity’s care, now and in the future.
Rebecca Busby, fundraising, marketing and engagement officer at the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch, said: “The book was gifted to one of our charity shops as a possible first edition. One of our volunteers, who is an avid Harry Potter fan and book enthusiast, checked for all the well known markers and noticed it had them all.
“She called me and I could hear her excitement as she said, ‘I can’t believe it we have a Harry Potter first edition, it’s in the best condition I have ever seen. Please could you find somewhere to sell this, as we can’t sell it in the shop’.”
One of the dogs set to benefit is another Harry, an 11-month-old cockapoo-type, who found himself in the care of the branch following his owners’ change in circumstances which meant they were unable to look after him.
Rebecca said: “I’m sure Harry Potter will help his namesake, Harry the dog, find his magical home and enjoy an amazing new chapter in his life.”
When the book was discovered the RSPCA Isle of Wight team called in Jim Spencer, a world-renowned Potter books expert based at Hansons Auctioneers’ Staffordshire saleroom Bishton Hall.
Jim said: “It would have been very difficult to find another copy as well-preserved as this one. It deserved to set tails wagging at auction. I am delighted it’s raised thousands for such a great cause. As well as securing a strong investment, the buyer can be doubly happy in the knowledge money raised will help animals like Harry.
“This book represents the beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon. Not many paperbacks published in the 1990s have the potential to fetch thousands of pounds at auction. Nobody predicted the huge popularity of Harry Potter, so these books were printed on cheap paper stock.
“This, coupled with the fact it’s a children’s book, means most examples are in very poor condition, showing signs of being swung about in a school rucksack, full of doodles, stained from orange squash, or, at the very least, faded at the spine from sunlight hitting the bookcase.
“This one is exceptional. The only minor flaws are a couple of lightly folded corners and the usual light browning to page edges, which is in fact a reassuring sign due to the cheap paper that was used. I’d be worried if the pages didn’t have this slight discolouration.”
Rebecca said: “We currently have over 50 pets in our care – including dogs, cats and rabbits – and due to the cost of living crisis we, like many animal charities, are struggling.
“More animals are coming into our care as owners struggle to support them and less people are adopting due to the costs involved. This is putting many RSPCA branches under immense strain as we are funded independently and rely on public support.
“Over the past decade our branch has helped rehome 4,126 pets and we are confident this donation will help us rehome many more, as the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday this year.”
To mark this special anniversary the animal welfare charity wants to inspire one million people to join their movement to improve animals’ lives. To find out how you can join, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200
Auction: The Harry Potter first edition sold in Hansons Auctioneers’ February 26 Bishton Library Auction in Staffordshire.
Enquiries/book valuations: [email protected]
