Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, London, 1997

First Edition, Second Softcover Printing Near fine condition softcover with the typical fading to the spine colors. Not bookclub, Not the Australian edition, Not the Ted Smart edition, Not the Canadian edition, Not ex-library, but the scarce true first edition, second printing Bloomsbury edition with the complete number line of 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2. Copies of this title unsigned, in similar condition are extremely scarce, with few even available for sale. However first/second edition softcovers in fine condition sell for $8000 and up. First/first printings fine hardcovers have soared in price attaining auction prices of $450,000.00, and fine condition first printing soft covers are now almost impossible to locate. Wendy Cooling review is present to the base of the front board. And the publisher page credits Joanne Rowling and contains no space between “r” and “1″ on Thomas Taylor 1997 in error.

A beautiful near fine condition soft cover with strong unfaded colors to the front and back and with fading to the spine. The binding is tight and square. The wraps are in superb overall condition with no laminate issues, but the barest hint of laminate lifing to the very outer front lower edge. Minimal very slight rubbing to the very outer edges (please see images). The interior pages are very clean and flat with no owner names, no inscriptions, no handling marks, no writing, no marks, no stains, no foxing. A beautiful, internally very clean copy, internally appearing as unread. Please see images.

A handsome, very scarce example of this book in stunning collectible condition.