HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

Rowling, J.K.

ISBN 10: 0590353403 / ISBN 13: 9780590353403

Published by Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic Press, (New York), 1998

About this Item

Signed early printing of the US edition of the first book in the Harry Potter series, with the slightly altered title (from "Philosopher's" to "Sorcercer's") and the vivid illustrations by Mary GrandPré. The Harry Potter series, about a boy who goes to a wizard school, has been the biggest literary phenomenon of our lifetime. The books remain formative for millions, including the many readers who reject Rowling's agitations against trans rights. This copy from the personal collection of Mary and Robert Brown, longtime owners of Books, Bytes, and Beyond bookstore in Glen Rock, NJ, who hosted Rowling for an event in October 1999, where this book was signed. Due to the strength of the forgery market, Rowling signatures are justifiably suspect. Authentically signed copies with clear provenance, like this one, are therefore more desirable. An excellent example of her early signature. 9'' x 6''. Original quarter red cloth, purple paper boards, gilt-lettered spine (no "Year 1"). In original unclipped ($17.95) color pictorial dust jacket with art by GrandPré. Dark green endpapers. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Grandpré. 21st printing. viii, 309, [1], [2] pages. Signed by Rowling in black ink on title page. Overall clean, bright, sharp, and tight. Seller Inventory # 52212

Bibliographic Details

Title: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic Press, (New York)

Publication Date: 1998

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: GrandPré, Mary

Condition: Fine in a fine jacket.

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: Later printing.

About this title

Synopsis:

A winner of England's National Book Award, the acclaimed debut novel tells the outrageously funny, fantastic adventure story of Harry Potter, who escapes a hideous foster home thanks to a scholarship to The Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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