From collectibles to cars, buy and sell all kinds of items on eBayWelcome! Sign in or register.
aAdvanced Search
Popular products
No suggestions.

Reviews & Guides

Write a guide

SECOND PRINTING Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

by: gregory-o( 729Feedback score is 500 to 999)
6 out of 7 people found this guide helpful.
Guide viewed: 1153 times Tags: harry potter | 2nd | printing | second | guardian



Does your 2nd Printing book of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone have the 1st issue "Guardian Quote" dustjacket?

If so, you are not alone. 
I have seen 20 Second Printings with the 1st issue jacket in the past two and a half years.
All actual 2nd printings I've seen have had the Guardian Quote jacket.
Third and fourth printings had the later Publisher's Weekly jacket with initials J.K. near the top of the spine. (above ROWLING) 

I've read about a Gazette Quote jacket that came after the Guardian jacket, but no evidence has been provided so far.
I have yet to meet anyone who can provide the full quote contents, or publication name.
I am skeptical until I actually see one - since the Guardian jacket is found on 2nd printings.
The complete absence of the Gazette Quote suggests that it may have been an error, or not intended for release at all... IF it exists.
IF the Gazette Quote exists, it would be FAR more scarce than the First State Guardian Jacket at present time.

UPDATE: 
A few collecting friends have acquired several 2nd printings and report no obvious differences from the 1st print Guardian jacket.
I've noticed some ink and paper texture differences on the few 2nd print Guardian jackets I have owned, but I have also noticed some slight color differences on 1st print jackets.
Thank You to Bob, Al and Peter for their input.

8/08 To 3/09:  FOUR author signed 2nd printings were found with the Guardian jacket.
One was obtained in person at a NYC event.
Another was signed at a lightly attended Colorado 1998 visit.
A girl bought one from a bookstore who was sent signed copies through the publisher.
I own one with no available documentation, but sports an authentic personalized signature.

Special thanks goes out to Jackie, author of the 1st State Ebay Guide, that has informed/educated so many of us hunting for these early US Printings.  Be sure to search Ebay Guides for it if you have not already done so!

FRAUD WARNING...

If you see one of the first four printings of the book reading only "Rowling" on the top portion of the red book spine, the book has been tampered with.
The jacket and book spines reading only "Rowling" started on the 5th printing.
The 1st four prints of the book should read J.K. Rowling on both the book & jacket spines.
Note:  The J.K. initials are sometimes completely or nearly worn from the spines of well used early printings.  The layout of the lettering is different from the "Rowling only" spines, so the lettering will be different - even if the JK is no longer visible.

There has been quite a bit of book chopping & altering going on since the book club edition with the full number line copyright page was released years ago.
The book club edition copyright page is slightly smaller and thinner.   The transparency gives it away even when only part of it is shown. 
If you see the diamond pattern showing through on the copyright page, AVOID!!!

What happens is:  The number line page from a book club edition is glued inside a later trade printing. (which also had the original page removed)
AVOID ALL BOOKS WITH A RAZOR SLICE ANYWHERE NEAR THE SPINE!

SECOND PRINTINGS HAVE BEEN ALTERED TOO!
I'm no expert, but I just don't believe that the first four printings were pressed with "ROWLING" (no initials) book & jacket spines.
I'll believe it only when I encounter one in person.
All copies of the first four printings of Sorcerer's Stone I have handled read "JK ROWLING" on both book & jacket spines.

I have seen fake 1st printings with both "Rowling" and "JK Rowling" spines.
Don't assume a book is the real thing just because a 1st Issue Guardian jacket is present!
I've seen SEVERAL of these sell to unknowing buyers in recent years and it is very likely the fraud has taken place throughout the past decade.

If you have purchased an early printing on the secondary market and put it away for safe keeping,  it is VERY important to check the quality and fit of that numberline/copyright page.
It may be too late to take any sort of action, but it may very well save you or your loved ones some serious embarrassment in the future.
I was floored when I learned of these WORTHLESS FORGERIES.
I even bid on some of 'em myself before I knew better!
A Thank You is due to an Ebay user named Janet, who helped point out some of the features that I was not aware of.  Thanks Janet!

Shop carefully... no matter how good the feedback... even if it's 100%

gregory-o










Guide ID: 10000000007977098Guide created: 07/14/08 (updated 03/20/10)

 
Was this guide helpful? Report this guide

Ready to share your knowledge with others? Write a guide


Related tags: 1st | harry potter | print | scam | guardian | second | printing | 2nd

 


eBay Pulse | eBay Reviews | eBay Stores | Half.com | Austria | France | Germany | Italy | Spain | United Kingdom | Popular Searches
Kijiji | PayPal | ProStores | Apartments for Rent | Shopping.com | Skype | Tickets


About eBay | Announcements | Security Center | Resolution Center | eBay Toolbar | Policies | Government Relations | Site Map | Help
We'll cover your purchase price plus original shipping.  Learn more
Copyright © 1995-2010 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
eBay official time