A rare copy of the first Harry Potter book, bought from a south Manchester charity shop for 50p and covered in doodles, has sold at auction for a staggering £15,000.
The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was expected to fetch between £2,000-3,000 when it went under the hammer yesterday (Wednesday).
It was one of only 500 copies of JK Rowling's worldwide best-seller published in the first print run in 1997. But its well-thumbed pages, peeling covers and children's felt-tip pen doodles of the boy wizard failed to deter potential buyers.
Bidders from around the world got into a 'colossal' battle when the book went under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Staffordshire on Wednesday, with the book eventually being sold to an online bidder from America for £15,500. Read more: The TV shows you can try out across Greater Manchester The seller, a Manchester businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I am astounded.
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