manuscripts Dr Philip Errington poses for photographers by holding a first edition copy of the first Harry Potter book "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" containing annotations and illustrations by author J.K. Rowling on top of a stack of other annotated first edition books featuring at auction, during a photocall organized for the media at the auction house's premises in London, Monday, May 20, 2013. The books will be offered for sale as part of the "First Editions, Second Thoughts" auction on May 21, for which there are no price estimates available in advance as it is a charity sale.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham
May 21, 2013 - 4:11 PM
LONDON - A first edition copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" that contains author J.K. Rowling's notes and original illustrations has sold for 150,000 pounds ($228,000) at a London auction.
Sotheby's said the work, offered as part of a charity book sale jointly organized with the writer's association English PEN, was sold to an anonymous bidder by telephone late Tuesday.
Rowling peppered the book with about two dozen illustrations and many personal annotations, including editorial decisions and a note on how she came to create the game of Quidditch.
Other participating authors in the charity sale included Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Seamus Heaney, Lionel Shriver and Yann Martel.
The funds raised will benefit English PEN, which promotes the freedom to read and write.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013