Rare Copy Of Harry Potter Bought For Less Than $1 Sells For Huge Price At Auction

A very rare "proof copy" of the original Harry Potter book that someone bought decades ago for less than $1 has sold at auction for a huge premium.

Auction company Hansons announced that a first-edition "uncorrected proof copy" of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sold for 11,000 pounds, or about $13,900, according to The Associated Press. Someone walked into a secondhand book store in 1997 and bought the book and two others for 40 pence ($0.50). Not a bad return on investment for the seller.

The identity of the seller and the buyer is unknown, but Hansons said this person only picked up the book in 1997 as a "throw-in" with the two other books they actually wanted. This person only came forward to sell it after reading online that it might be valuable.

"In 1997, when I was 26, I had just got back to the UK and was living in Crystal Palace in London. I didn't have much money but I always liked to treat myself to a browse round second-hand bookshops on Saturday mornings," the seller said.

Making this copy even rarer is the fact than an inside title page of this Harry Potter book lists the book's author as "J.A. Rowling," not J.K. Rowling.

Rowling remains involved in the Harry Potter series these days, as she is an executive producer on the upcoming Harry Potter TV series for Max. She continues to face criticism and controversy over comments about transgender issues.