Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Deluxe British Edition - Hardcover

J.K. Rowling

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0747545723 ISBN 13: 9780747545729

Publisher: London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 1999

Synopsis

Specially produced British collectible edition of the first volume in the Harry Potter Series. The first print run was limited to 12,000 copies, making this one of the most highly collectible volumes in the series. First Printings are identified by the presence of a full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page. Bright red cloth-bound boards with gilt lettering, gilt-stamped JK Rowling signature and gilted page ends; pictorial onlay; sewn-in satin ribbon placemarker; full-color harlequin endpapers; unique typeset, illustrations and paper quality all make this a valuable addition to any collector's library. Ships well-packaged and protected.

About this title

Review:

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson

From the Inside Flap:

Read by Jim Dale
8 hours 17 minutes, 7 CDs
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable muggle aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's a wizard, just as his parents were.
But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.
From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.

About this edition

• Publisher: London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0747545723
• ISBN 13: 9780747545729
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224
• Illustrator: Thomas Taylor