Harry Potter first edition sets world records at Heritage Auctions
(Artdaily.org)

A rare, first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – one of just 500 original copies, of which 300 were destined for British libraries – set a world record when it sold for $81,250 during Heritage Auctions’ offering of rare books Sept. 14 in Dallas. Frenzied bidding pushed numerous lots well past their pre-auction estimates, propelling the total sales in the event to nearly $2 million. “We are very pleased with the performance of Genre fiction in our auction, continuing on our earlier successes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery and Detective Literature,” Heritage Auctions Rare Books Director James Gannon said. “Heritage is extremely strong in presenting and marketing these books, and by now we have the attention of the rare book market and a large following of enthusiastic bidders.” A swarm of bidders pursued the first edition of J.K. Rowling’s