SCARCE-- US TRUE FIRST STATE--HARRY POTTER and the SORCERERS STONE--GUIDE WITH PHOTOS of 1ST STATE--BUYER BEWARE ALERTS !

NEWS FLASH!!!!

J K ROWLING'S "The Tales of Beedle the Bard TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 4TH, 2008 (Pre-Ordering is available)

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - 10th Anniversary Edition TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 (Pre-Ordering is available)

FIRST STATE ISSUE POINTS Guide:

 ALL ISSUE POINTS ARE DENOTED THROUGH-OUT THE GUIDE

 Issue points have descriptions and explained in detail to help you determine authenticity.

Run and get your book, we'll wait for you..  :)

Your book will need to have "ALL" of the following issue points to be a True First State!

• ISSUE POINT- ISBN 0-590-35340-3
• ISSUE POINT- 309 pages
• ISSUE POINT- The hard boards should be purple, and have a diamond-embossed/quilted pattern, with red spine.

• ISSUE POINT- The full number line as it appears on the copyright page Should Read, and in this order with "No Exceptions" what so ever --------> 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2    8 9/9 0/0 01 02  (Be certain your hard boards are red & purple as pictured above)
• ISSUE POINT- The  "1" must be present and in the Very FIRST POSITION in the number line. (The arrow is pointing to where the "1" should be. The number "1" indicates a First Printing.

BOOK CLUB EDITIONS SECTION:

THE JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD IS A BOOK CLUB! The Junior Library Guild is a unique service that provides libraries with new-release children's books from the lists of the foremost children's publishers at a discount of up to 55% off the publishers prices. These books are reproductions of the original versions and no matter how you look at it...IT IS A BOOK CLUB EDITIONS.

Book Club Edition ---->

There are a few Different & Early Book Club Editions with an exact number one as the Rare First State Book, but they have Black & Maroon hard boards and spines... OR... Solid Black hard Boards. They are actually early BCE First Printings, and becoming more and more scarce as well. They were published soon after the rarest Trade Copy hit the shelves . They are NOT Trade Copies and DO NOT have a price on their jackets.

FYI AREA

Did you know a Trade Copy of any book almost always wears a "Price" on it's jacket?

Did you know that most Book Club Editions don't?

If your Sorcerer's Stone copy reads -->1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9...etc, in this order, it is also NOT a Trade Copy, but rather a Book Club Edition.  

There is yet another BCE and this First Edition has RED HARD BOARDS and SPINE. This particular version of the BCE is found more often then the other Book Club Editions, but becoming harder to locate. This BCE is a bit smaller than the original book. It is not marked First Edition, nor does it have a number line. The text on the copyright page simply reads "Printed in the USA". This BCE was a Scholastic Press exclusive by arrangement of the Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Again, No price on the dust jacket.

....At this point, most of you are going to slam your book shut and scream!...Or...some might want to jump into the car and nonchalantly venture down to the nearest sporting goods store and explain to the clerk that you are going on a hunting trip to an undisclosed location where you just spent a hefty portion of your income on a book that promised to be.."The Rare One" !!

Or..you might want to read on.. 

What printing is your book section:

The LOWEST number... in the first run of numbers... BEFORE the open space ...INDICATES THE PRINTING

Example Shown: Lowest number in this first run is (one)... or A First Printing

---> 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 ... Note that the "10" in the center is the number ten.

The FIRST number in the second run of numbers AFTER the open space ....indicates the first year of publication.

Example: First number in the second run is (eight)-----> 8  9/9  0/0  01  02   or...    (Published in 1998)

Please know that any run of numbers may or may NOT always be in a specific order. But, If the Number "1" is present, then it indicates a first printing of that book's publication, weather it be a Trade Copy or Book Club Edition.  Also, "Letters", instead of numbers are sometimes used to indicate a printing as well. "A" being a First Printing.

MORE ISSUE POINTS SECTION CONTINUED

• ISSUE POINT- The copyright page should state "Printed in the U. S. A. 23 First American Edition, October 1998
• ISSUE POINT- The jacket price "MUST" be present in order to confirm your copy is a trade copy. Most Book Club Editions are not priced.  
• ISSUE POINT- A TRUE FIRST, original jacket price, if not price clipped, should read $16.95 and be located on the inside flap of the front of the jacket. If no price is present, question seller to see if the price has been gift/price clipped, or if book is a Book Club Edition. (BCE)

• ISSUE POINT- ANY Gold lettering found on the jacket cover... should be "raised and or recessed" Gold Lettering. ( If you close your eyes and run your finger tips over the lettering, it SHOULD be felt).
• ISSUE POINT- A true First State of this book,  SHOULD NOT HAVE the number "1" on the Spine of the (JACKET or... the BOOK). The number "1" was added to later printings and was meant to indicate the first year in a series of seven years or... 7 books, with 6 books to follow the first. AGAIN, The number "1" should be absent on the spines of the jacket and book. This is very important!

Note: Some BCE (Book Club Editions) also......DO NOT HAVE the number "1" on the spines of the jacket or book, but you now know... that a jacket price should be present, and the hard boards on a true first should be purple and red. 

• ISSUE POINT- The UPC bar code on the back of the dust jacket should have a white/cream (not pink) backing and the number 51695 (in black), above the SMALLER bar code. This should be located in the lower left hand corner on the back of the jacket, and not across the back.

• ISSUE POINT- The quote on the rear of the dust jacket should be from (-The Guardian London), and not, I repeat, NOT from Publishers Weekly. This is very important, if your book says Publishers weekly, then it is not a First State Jacket, but may contain a First State Printing of the book. It must have the Guardian Blurb present in order to be a First State Jacket. (MORE ISSUE POINTS BELOW)

"The Guardian Blurb"SECTION

This is the original quote which was made by the Guardian of London, and the way it SHOULD HAVE appeared on all jackets originally, but didn't: "And Harry Potter, the hero of the tale, could assume near-legendary status as Roald Dahl's Charlie, of the chocolate factory fame." (This correct quote never appeared on any of the books)

This is the miss-quoted error (Blurb) and the way it ACTUALLY APPEARS on all First State Jackets.  "Harry Potter could assume the same near-legendary status as Roald Dahl's Charlie, of chocolate factory fame." (This uncorrected error should appear on your jacket for a First State Status)

Notice the missing word... ((("And"))) 

Also missing is this segment: ((("the hero of the tale")))

• ISSUE POINT- Must have the initials (J K) Upper Line, (Rowling) lower line, printed (in Gold) on the top of the spine of the book and jacket. (if only "Rowling" is present and not J K), it is quite possible that your book, and or jacket is a second state or later.... in some cases... much later.

(TRUE FIRST STATE-Spines Correctly Matched)

This concludes the issue points needed. I counted at least 13 that should be present in order to secure a True First State US Trade Copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

If your book ...has ANY differences, even a single difference...It is a good possibility that it is NOT a True First State of this US Trade Copy of the book. There are so many editions and variations of this book that it is very difficult to determine which printing of which state one might actually have. I have honestly lost count of the many printings and states. Everytime a mistake is found in the text, a new printing was created. Everytime a "Blurb" or mistake is found on a jacket or something as minor as a price increase, then a new state jacket would again be created. The jacket price alone, changed about 3 times after it was issued at $16.95.

*****

.....If your book matches ALL of the above issue points, Congratulations!...You have in your possession one of the most sought after books in the world today.  Do protect it, professionally, and insure it. It is a very rare book indeed, but worth much more in its original First State Jacket!

If you are one of the lucky few to have found a book with the First State Jacket, Congratulations!....Now double check all the issue points to see if your book is worthy of it's cover!

Together....they are Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone...FIRST STATE BOOK

 NEW FINDINGS SECTION

Although all second printings I seen, early and near the release date, were covered with Publishers Weekly Jackets, a few recent findings indicate the possiblity of second printings being covered with a FIRST STATE JACKET. 

I think this needs to be addressed in spite of these new findings.  I have chosen to remain undecided on this subject matter. Undecided, because I know for certain, near the release date, and nearly 10 years ago, a large percentage of First State Jackets were being removed from their books and sold. Why?... my guess is because the books had already been read and because the jacket alone was going for top dollar. I think the questions we need to ask are..What printing was originally under those First State Jackets and,..Where are all of the first printings now? And why, after 10+ years, are First State Jackets being found with 2nd printings under them? Where have they been all this time?

Recent Event: A student wrote a letter to J K Rowing some time ago and in response, the author sent her a signed second printing, as a gift. Her boyfriend, claimed it was original and it is covered with a First State Jacket. The documention to authenticate this book/signature is NOT available. The autograph is superb and I believe it to be authentic. Was the jacket original to the book? I don't know. Did/does the author have an allotment of second printings? I don't know that either. You be the judge, you decide. 

A special "Thanks" to Greg for helping me keep you up to date. This is an unconfirmed and undocumented finding, but certainly possible.

I am currently looking for a photo of any letter(s) that may have been sent to the receipent of any signed second printing with a First State jacket,  from the author or any event.  Any photos sent, will not be added to this guide and will be kept secure. Thank you

BUYER'S BEWARE SECTION

FRAUD UNCOVERED!!

"READ THIS SECTION, IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE !"

This section is reserved for recent FRAUD or questionable activity

It seams the "Varmints" are definitely at it again. Thanks to the help of another eBayer, this has been brought to my attention. After viewing some photos and confirming with the actual buyer(s)... This is the discovery: Books have been found with chopped up, cut or replaced copyright pages that were not original to the book. Slashed bindings and teal end papers were found with razor cuts along the spine and clear evidence that the entire front leaf stack (which includes the copyright page), had been glued into place and switched without much notice. These books began to surface ( Feb 14, 2008) and were sold and bought around Christmas 2007. In most cases, 100% feedback had been exchanged with few complaints...  DIG DEEP INTO PROFILES- NOONE IS SAFE!  Please double check your book for glued in , stuck, or uneven copyright pages. Submit your findings to eBay ASAP and make contact with your seller!

TO BE CERTAIN: AVOID ALL BOOKS THAT YOU SUSPECT HAVE FALLEN PREY TO THE SHARP CLEAN CUT OF A RAZOR OR BOX KNIFE !

ANY obvious cut to the spine or binding area is RED FLAG MATERIAL!

Please be careful when making your very valuable purchase. Ask for CLEAR, CLOSE UP, overhead images from all sides of the book to help determine authenticity.  

If you suspect deception with your purchase, my advice is to Black Light test your book for glued in or excess adhesive along copyright pages. Fresh glue will stick out like a sore thumb and will glow like nothing else under black lighting, especially on paper. If copyright pages are sticking out, short or pages won't turn freely-question it! Have it looked at by a professional and report it! Fresh glue along the copyright page of ANY book is absolutely questionable.

Note: Some books may contain actual repairs, so use good judgement to determine your book's condition.  

It seams some sellers have a stock pile of the very early, very rare printings. How is that possible you ask? Deception! If the book is so rare, how are they able to list them on a weekly basis? It's Simple-RED FLAG!  

ALWAYS.. ALWAYS... ALWAYS question a "Private" auction. Ask yourself..."Why would this auction be "Private", if the seller has nothing to hide! WHY? There has to be good reason...lol

NOTE: The original jacket price of $16.95 remained on jackets up through about the 14TH PRINTING.  Publishers Weekly Jackets with a $16.95 jacket price are very prized among the varmints who switch jackets because it's difficult to prove what printing that jacket originally covered.

What you are up against:  It would be very possible to remove a First Print copyright page from another version of the same book, glue that page into a trade copy...And to make it all look kosher,  cover that book with an early $16.95 Publishers Weekly Jacket.  A chopped up book like this could be passed off as a True First Printing/Second State Jacket, and chaaa ching!...instant Frist Printing is born and ready to list! Don't fall for it!...avoid those Razor Cuts, or so called dropped books with clean cuts...and people?...heres a newsflash...puddy tats generally have four claws.... unlikely that purr kitten is able to make a clean,  single cut along ANY BOOK spine!

Always remember-The True First State was published in a heavier weight paper, as was the Library bound edition. Under certain lighting, the back side can be seen but is very light or in some cases cannot be seen at all.  I have tested this theory. The First Printing BCE copyright page is thinner and very transparent and the back side of the copyright page is clearly visible without much lighting at all. Always look at the QUALITY of the copyright page in the photo and along the binding seam. If you can clearly see through that copyright page...RED FLAG! If you are not happy with what you see, ask for additional photos of overhead shots. If you get no response, keep shopping. Use caution when sellers use excuses for where the book was bought to try to release themselves of any possible deception. That to me, is an instant RED FLAG.

Advice: Be certain that the jacket's condition is consistent with the book's condition.  Always ask if the jacket is original to the book. If you get no response, keep shopping.

 REVIEW SIGNATURE SECTION

 I do not know how many actual US First State (Guardian) Printings exist. It has been estimated or rumored to be around 5000 copies. I personally believe it to be much less.  Here's why....

After much effort, time, and research, I have discovered that an estimated 250 "First State" copies were handed out during the Author's FIRST American Debut.... at a book extravaganza in New York. Many have speculated that this event was the actual American Review of the book. The event took place sometime late in 1997?... Oddly enough, I can find NO documentation of the fact that this event was the actual Review. Further more,  it has been reported that No review sheets were made available, nor handed out during the event. To this day it remains uncertain if those first state printings were actually review copies. These 250 said books were US Hardback Trade Copies, not paper back ARC or Galley Readers. The actual US release date of this book was late in 1998. I am still researching this event for documentation, and will update this section as new information is found.

INTERESTING TIMELINE...either before, during or shortly after the so called "Review" event, came the discovery of the jacket error, AKA the "Guardian Blurb". Those estimated 250 books handed out at the event, were said to contain the Guardian Blurb on the rears of the jackets. Future publications were corrected a short time later.

A note about signatures and the debut :

In addition to the above information and during this event, very few copies were signed by the Author.... It is not known if any were "signed and then hand dated" and if so...it would be difficult to prove authenticity without a review sheet. 

In my opinion, a true "Review" copy of this book would have to be: a True First Printing/ True First State/ True First Edition, with all the issue points listed above, along with a First State jacket and....proof that the signature was obtained that night in question, and....be flatsigned and... hand dated by the Author! Interestingly enough.... no review sheets were handed out with the book,..so I'm told. To this date, I have not been able to locate a single signed copy that dates back to the US Debut or further more, with any type of review sheet, any documentation, or even a receipt for the purchase of a book linking the event. Was this intentional?...I don't know, you call it! So... if you see that someone is selling a review copy of this book, signed with documentation....be very cautious and question its authenticity.  Ask for proof and more proof, before making your purchase. If you have one...please share it, the world would love to see it!

PRICELESS

THIS BOOK IS PRICELESS TO ME! Ironically, for those of you who are wondering where the book in the photos came from... well....believe it or not, I found it sitting on a bookshelf in my sons bedroom, long after my quest to obtain a copy of the book, and long after my search had been exhausted. When I asked him, "where did this book come from?".. he said to me, and I quote, "Grandma gave me the money and I bought it at a yard sale down the street for one dollar and 50 cents a long time ago, why mom?"....I nearly fell to the floor with tears in my eyes. Grandma is long gone....but she left him something he could treasure for a lifetime.... her love for books, and the reading they shared...Don't ya just love Grandma's?... she had not yet read the book to him and it had been sitting on his shelf all this time.. untouched and unnoticed by me... Go figure!

I was able to locate the original owner a few years later. They do, still live in the house where the book was bought. I was told the book was purchased in New York while on Vacation. She said the book had never been read and was of no interest to her or her husband... so she put it in the yard sale hoping it would sell. Originally, she had bought the book for her nephew but didn't say why she still had it. I left the conversation at that, thanked her for her time, and left with a smile. I didn't have the heart to tell her about the rarity of the book, but I had a feeling she already knew.

PS. I now have my own copy, thanks to a very nice ebayer :)

Please... do not cut, copy, paste, or duplicate in anyway, any portion of the photos or written text in this guide without my consent. This guide was meant for informational purposes only. The information obtained above was based on my own research as an owner and as a victim.

Current VALUES:

This guide has created quite a stir with the release of last book and final chapter. Please don't ask me to place a value on your book. If your book matches the above issue points then my advice to you is to have the book evaluated by your local professional. Do not ship the book out to be appraised , and never let the book leave your sight if getting a written appraisal.

Personal Comments:

Emails continue to come in from all over the country and I am very excited to see such an interest. Thank you, to all of you who have written to me in gratitude, in tears, in desperation and with helpful information.  I appreciate and invite all your comments and questions.

This guide is a work in progress, and is updated from time to time...You are invited to stop back and check out any new information that may have surfaced.

Collectors Corner:

Early printings under 10... have also become very scarce and valuable as collecters continue to stash them away. So don't pass up one of these early copies waiting for the rare one. Recently, any stated First Edition Trade Copies with printings under 50, are being bought up as quickly as they are listed and being placed into private collections. All early versions of Book Club Editions are also being tucked away as their values continue to climb, and are also becoming more and more scarce. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, continues to break all publishing records. Can you imagine what would happen to the market if this book suddenly went into "Out of print" status? Wow! ...and it will happen, some day, its just a matter of time =)

Educate yourself and know for certain, that you have made a sound investment in a book that continues to climb in value. Use this guide to help you in your search to secure the real thing.

Good luck in your search, I hope this guide has been inspirational as well as helpful to you.

If this guide was helpful, please click "yes" at the bottom.

Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone, ....First State Book.

Check out my other guide on how to properly prepare your book for shipping: http://reviews.ebay.com/SHIPPING-TIPS-TRICKS-and-HELPFUL-HINTS-FOR-PACKING_W0QQugidZ10000000001883318