Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone - First Edition, Fourth Printing Rowling J.K. Harry Potter,J.K. Rowling

Near fine copy of the scarce first edition, fourth UK Bloomsbury printing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, with a number line of 10 9 8 7 6 5 4. According to Errington [p.4], the fourth printing had a publication figure of only 500 hardback copies. The copyright page credits Joanne Rowling with no space between Thomas Taylor and the year. This early printing features the original illustration of the brown-haired young wizard on the reverse and spine of both book and jacket, which was later replaced by an image of Dumbledore. It does not yet have the Hogwarts shield on the title pages, which was used in all subsequent printings after the fifth hardback printing. The first and second Hardback printings were issued without a dust jacket; the fourth printing was the second to include a dust jacket. Fine pictorial boards with minor bumped lower spine end; upper spine end and corners are sharp. The binding is tight, neat dedication to the previous owner in gold ink, otherwise no marks, stamps or other flaws. Pages are clean without the usual browning to the edges. The book appears unread. The first edition unclipped dust jacket is in almost fine condition with a little waving at the top edge but without wear. The jacket has vibrant colors and no fading whatsoever. Now protected by a Brodart removable archival book cover. A very nice copy indeed.