HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (First edition - early ninth impression with dustwrapper)

An early ninth impression of the true first edition, with just the number-string 10 9 at the bottom of the printer's page. Unusually there is no mention of previous titles is listed as 'also available' on the reverse of the half-title page. ***Please note that there is quite a lot of foxing and browning to the page block edges (please see scans). ***A very good copy in the pictorial colour illustrated boards. The boards are clean and unmarked. Head and tail of spine slightly creased. Bottom edge of back board also slightly creased. Two corner tips slightly creased. There is a reading lean to the binding but the spine is tight. The colours of the book are nice and bright, with virtually no fading, even to the spine. Internally, the book is also very good, with no previous ownership inscription or annotations. The internal pages are clean, with no obvious stains or foxing, but there is slight foxing to a few page margins from the page block edge foxing. The paper stock is lightly tanned as usual. There is no straining to the page block gutter at the title page (often found due to the cheap binding quality of these books). ***In a very good colour illustrated dustwrapper, which retains the original publisher's printed price of £10.99 on the front flap. The dustwrapper is complete, but does have some rubbing and creasing at the edges, mainly to the head and tail of the spine and corner tips. There are no so serious creases, and no chips or tears, and the colours on the spine of the dustwrapper are virtually unfaded, which is unusual for this title (please see scans). ***251 pages plus four advertisement pages at the back of the book. 206mm x 136mm. ***'The Worst Birthday --- Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive. Mr Vernon Dursley had been woken in the early hours of the morning by a loud, hooting noise from his nephew Harry's room.' (Quote taken from the first paragraph of the book) ***An early ninth impression of the true first edition of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", in very good original condition, albeit with the above-mentioned faults. These early 1998 impressions are becoming hard to come by now. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.…