Harry Potter breaks a new record - this from The Guardian overnight.

A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has fetched the record-breaking price of £19,700 at auction.
The first book in JK Rowling's bestselling series had an initial print run of only 500 copies. Many of the first editions of the book, which set the boy wizard bandwagon rolling, were bought by libraries and have since disintegrated or are in very poor condition. In contrast, the copy that went under the hammer at Christie's today was in pristine condition.

Originally bought by a father who read a review and thought it sounded like something
his son would enjoy, the novel has only been read once. It stayed on the
boy's shelf in his father's house until the family realised recently that it
might be valuable. A copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sold
recently for £19,500.

According to Crispin Jackson, head of books at Christie's South Kensington, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the most valuable book in the series by a long way.
"From Goblet of Fire "onwards, the series took off so quickly that first editions were common
because the print runs were huge," he said.

"The collecting buzz started with Prisoner of Azkhaban in 1999 and while the market slightly
dipped before the publication of Deathly Hallows, it has picked up again
with the conclusion of the series and the huge success of the films".

The auction also featured an uncorrected publisher's proof copy of the book, produced for internal use and promotion, and with "JA Rowling" printed in error on the title
page. It went for £2,250.

A paperback and hardback edition of the second book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, both signed by the author, one with the inscription "To Ella -
I know your Mum!!! And she beat me in the quiz but we won't mention that -
love from Jo (aka JK Rowling)", sold for £1,250.