Man named Harry Potter selling first edition Harry Potter book for $41 K

By Jack Evans via SWNS

A dad-of-three named Harry Potter is set to rake in up to $41,000 when he sells a rare copy of JK Rowling's first book.

Potter, 33, was eight years old in 1997 when his dad David bought him a first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" because his name was in the title.

Potter’s sister, Katie Sign, 36, said: “I remember dad bursting through the front door after work brandishing a book, proclaiming ‘you’ll never believe what I’ve got!

“At first glance we were confused. Had someone written a book for Harry? Our Harry Potter?

“The novelty and coincidence of the namesake made us open that first book, but the magic of the story kept us turning the pages for years.”

Potter's hardback copy was one of only 500 made in the first print run of the novel, which was released in June 1997.

Since then he’s spent the last 25 years trying to convince people that his name really is the same as the fictional boy wizard.

“People just don’t believe me," said the sales manager from Hampshire, England.

“When I was a young footballer, a referee threatened me with a red card for saying my name was Harry Potter.

“When I met my wife, Philippa on holiday in Greece, she didn’t believe me either.”

Potter's sister, an accountant and mom to one, added: “Being Harry Potter’s sister has been hilarious – mad at times. When I told people my name was Katie Potter they’d often say, ‘Have you got a brother called Harry’ and I’d have to say ‘yes.'

“I know there are one or two other Harry Potters in the UK but, as far as I’m aware, only a couple were given the name before the Potter books came out.”

Despite not always being believed, Potter said sharing a name with the boy who lived has its pros.

“When I was 12 and the first Potter film was released, we were invited to be family of the week on the Big Breakfast TV show,” he said.

"I met lots of stars including Gwen Stefani and Ben Stiller.”

He is now selling the precious book to raise money to honor his dad’s last wish to scatter his ashes in Africa.

It will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on October 7 with a guide price of $27,000 - $41,000.

Shortly after their father passed away from cancer in 2017, the siblings realized the book was a rare first edition.

“Our dad was a wise and loving man who believed the richest people were those who lived life to its fullest, and that experience had more value than money,” Sign said.

“Selling the book then, despite its financial value, was of no interest to us. It was one of few lasting, tangible treasures we had from our dad.

“The book had pride of place on the windowsill next to my bed and was eventually joined by the whole collection.

“They’ve stayed on a shelf or a windowsill in every house I’ve lived in for 20 years. It was treasure to us, long before it had any value to the rest of the world.”

Potter kept the rare book in a sandwich bag under the stairs at his home for four years before the siblings realized the book had changed for them.

“We knew rare first editions were selling for tens of thousands. It wasn’t any longer something we could enjoy or love, without fear of damaging it,” Sign said.

“We aren’t investors or collectors, we’re two grown-up kids who would like to enjoy life the way our dad prescribed – to its fullest. The book is the legacy dad left us to do that.

“With the proceeds from the sale, we would like to take dad’s ashes to Africa, the place he asked to finally rest, where we can make new and fantastic memories with our own children and families."

Potter added: “We think now’s the time to use the money to benefit our families and do something dad wanted.”