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LONDON - A copy of the first trade edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first book in the seven-volume series, fetched 19,700 pounds (NZ$53,000) at auction, Christie's said.
The book was one of only 500 copies made of the edition, many of which were bought up by libraries, making pristine copies scarce and highly sought-after.
Crispin Jackson, head of books at Christie's, South Kensington, said the copy sold was the best he had seen. The book, published in 1997, had been expected to make 8-12,000 pounds.
J.K. Rowling's stories of Harry Potter and his fellow wizards have sold over 335 million copies worldwide.
The seventh and final book in the series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - was published in July.
- REUTERS
