HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (First edition - sixth impression - a marked copy in the original dustwrapper)

A very early sixth impression of the true first edition, with the number line 10 9 8 7 6 at the bottom of the printer's page. This impression is so early it doesn't mention "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" on the preliminary pages. Because of the rising popularity of the Harry Potter books by this time, the second book in the series was even more rapidly reprinted than the first and early impressions are very desirable. ***Please note that there are some internal marks (very pale blue ink stains) and some corner page creasing to this copy (please see scans). ***A very good copy in the pictorial colour illustrated boards. The boards are clean and unmarked. Head and tail of spine and top corner tips slightly creased. No reading lean to the binding and the spine is tight. Page block edges slightly marked (with the pale blue stains that appear internally). The colours of the book are nice and bright, with no fading, even to the spine. Internally, the book is also very good, with no previous ownership inscription or annotations. The internal pages are relatively clean, with no obvious foxing, but with very light stains on a few pages in the margins. There are also some bottom corners creased to the first three preliminary pages, and the top corner of p.33/4 has been creased as a place mark by a previous reader (please see scans). 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 virtually complete, but there is slight loss at the head of the spine and a couple of corner tips. There is also quite a lot of rubbing at the edges, and a little creasing. However, there are no serious creases, and no chips or tears, and the colours on the spine of the dustwrapper are completely unfaded which is most 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 sixth impression of the true first edition of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", the second book in the series. Being such a popular children's book, copies of the earliest single-digit impressions of the first three Harry Potter titles are very hard to find now, in any condition. ***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.…