Final promise of 'miracle sister' set to come true after first edition Harry Potter book goes under the hammer

One of the best Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first editions ever seen is up for auction in Lichfield and will honour the final wish of a miracle sister.

The hardback copy, one of only 500 books in the first ever print run of JK Rowling’s debut novel in 1997, has been discovered by books expert Jim Spencer, having previously been owned by Katie King, who died in 2010 at the age of 40.

Due to its quality and scarcity, it carries an estimate of between £60,000 and £80,000 in the Rare Book Auctions' sale on Wednesday and also carries a true life story which Jim Spencer, director of Rare Books Auctions, said was more powerful than fiction.

He said: “There’s a heart-breaking tale behind this book. It bears an inscription, ‘Dear Katie, my favourite sister! With all my love, Sarah, 12 August 1997’. Tragically, Katie battled cancer from the age of five and passed away aged only 40. Her family said she was a miracle sister because she survived so much against the odds.

"Katie knew her book was a first edition and hoped any money raised would eventually go to Sarah’s children and that wish is poised to be honoured. I’ve discovered 20 hardback first issues of Philosopher’s Stone from the fabled 500 and this is one of the very best examples I’ve ever seen. 

"My biggest premium-inclusive price achieved for one of them is £86,000 and, in honour of Katie, I would love to top that, and due to the fact that she and her sister Sarah cared for the book so well, there’s a chance that will happen.

“It’s in near-fine, superb condition.  There are no signs of it having been read, aside from a minuscule pale spot at the top edge of pages 128/129.  These scarce first printings mark the very beginning of the Potter phenomenon and are regarded as the ultimate treasure by collectors.”

Sarah King, who lives in London, spoke about the struggles her sister had had when she was growing up and dealing with a brain tumour and how the book brought joy to both their lives.

She said: "Even as an adult, Katie loved children’s adventure and fantasy novels  and so when I was browsing through the Bookseller one day at work in 1997, I was interested in an interview with a then unknown author, Joanne Rowling,  who’d got a book deal for a children’s fantasy novel about wizards.  

"My sister had almost exhausted children’s fiction in the fantasy genre after my mum had spent years teaching her to read again after she had cancer as a five year old in 1975. Listening to audiobooks and music helped her through recovery and chemo after surgery to remove a brain tumour.  

“As soon as I’d read the interview, I popped out to the nearest WHSmith in Victoria Street, London, to pre-order a copy.  My sister was 27 at the time and I was  24 and working as an assistant in an academic publishing company.  

"I didn’t think much more about it until the shop called to say the book was available. Katie read the book in one sitting and loved it so much, I decided to read it straight afterwards. We were both hooked and we pre-ordered the next book in the series as soon as we could."

Ms King also spoke about how they realised how valuable the book could be and the decision they made to ensure it was kept safe and in the best condition.

She said: "Luckily, my sister and I looked after the book as we’d never turn the corner on a page or break a spine. 

"The book remained in a safe place at my parents’ house, but it wasn’t until several years after its publication that we were watching The Generation Game TV show all together as a family when contestants were asked to value certain items including a first edition Philosopher’s Stone.  

"When the expert revealed its value, Katie and I looked at each other, went to the cupboard it was kept in and checked the details as we were sure it was a first edition.  After a lot of thought my sister said she wanted to keep it until I had children and so she could give it to them as a present so they could sell it and use the money for something useful. "

“Katie never got to meet my daughter, Matilda Katie, who was born the following year although they’re very alike. 

"My son, Joseph, was born a couple of years later and recently my parents moved in with us so that we can take care of them and it was time to move the book from my parents’ to my house.  

"We kept it with us for a few months so that our home could absorb some of its magic and now we are carrying out my sister’s wishes to provide the gift for my children she always dreamed of.”

Auction: The book, Lot 1, is being offered in the world’s first Harry Potter Auction at Rare Book Auctions with the online timed sale ending at 6pm on November 27.