This book cover image released by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas shows a 1997 soft cover edition of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, that sold for a record $19,120 in a rare books auction conducted online by Heritage Auction Galleries.
The winning bidder was a vintage comic book collector from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. His wife is a fan of the Harry Potter series.
Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, was one of only 200 copies from the first printing issued with illustrated wrappers by London publisher Bloomsbury. The 1997 book includes an illustrated card signed by author J. K. Rowling.
The book was published in the US as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The winning bid of $US19,120 was nearly double the previous record for a softcover Harry Potter book, Heritage Auction Galleries said Friday.
