Potter first edition nets £6,000

The new Harry Potter book had a first print run of 1m copies

A first edition copy of the debut Harry Potter book has raised more than £6,000 at auction.

Only 500 copies of JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone were issued during its first print run three years ago, according to auctioneers Doiminic Winter Book Auctions.

There were originally 200 paperback copies and 300 hardbacks - including the one sold to London dealer Peter Harrington.

He secured the book with a telephone bid of £5,400, although the figure rises to £6,075 once the buyer's premium has been added.

Commenting on his successful bid, Mr Harrington said: "There are millions of people out there who like Harry Potter.

"We've been selling Harry Potter books for the past 18 months, from first editions to deluxe editions, particularly to America."

Auctioneer Geoff Jackson said: "It's a phenomenal price for a book published in 1997. There are rumours of one copy selling for as much as £16,000.

"Maybe the reason for there not being so many around is that they probably didn't think at the time they would sell too many."

JK Rowling - the writer behind the Potter phenomenon

In contrast the recent fourth book in the series - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - had an initial print one of one million copies, he said.

In the three years since the launch of the first book, JK Rowling's Harry Potter tales have become a worldwide publishing phenomenon.

The 35-year-old Edinburgh-based author has become Britain's highest earning woman and was awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours earlier this year.

A film version of the first book - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - is in production.

Also up for grabs at Wednesday's auction were a series of drawings and watercolours believed to be originals by children's author Beatrix Potter.

The pictures were discovered in a house in Kent, where they were found between the pages of a book and in a folder.

Four of the pictures fetched more than £5,000 each after the premiums were added.