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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1st Ed.

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113. First Edition, First Impression of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Bloomsbury, (1997). Octavo, 223 pages. First edition, first impression. One of approximately 200 softcover copies printed simultaneously with the hardcover edition. Inscribed by J. K. Rowling on the dedication page in black ink to Elizabeth Dunn: "Breathe some more smoke my way, J. K. Rowling". 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 is explained by Dunn, "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 unique inscription. Elizabeth Dunn, 23 April, 2003".

Slight crease to rear cover; otherwise, fine condition. An incredibly rare book, with a fantastic association to this new writer. This is perhaps the very first copy to be signed by this soon to be world famous author. Includes letter of authenticity from Elizabeth Dunn explaining the provenance, transcript of printed interview. $12,000 - $15000

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