A first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, annotated and illustrated by author JK Rowling, has set a new auction record at Sotheby's First Editions, Second Thoughts auction.
The book sold for an impressive £150,000 ($227,993) in London last night (May 21), destroying the previous $26,046 world record for one of the 500 first editions from 1997 by 775.4%.
The previous record was set only in April 2013, displaying the continuing popularity of Rowling's landmark children's book.
 In the book, Rowling reveals how Quidditch was invented following a quarrel with her boyfriend |
The auction featured 50 modern first editions, each of which had been illustrated or annotated by the author in a bid to raise funds for English PEN, a charity organisation that promotes literature and supports writers.
 Quentin Blake has added several of his famous illustrations to a first edition copy of Roald Dahl's Matilda |
Children's books prevailed in the sale, with a first edition of Roald Dahl's Matilda selling for £30,000 ($45,598) - an outstanding 500% increase on estimate. The book had been specially illustrated by Roald Dahl's long-time collaborator and British institution Quentin Blake.
Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day, illustrated and annotated by the author on 51 of its pages, brought the third highest bids of the auction, selling for £17,000 ($27,359). The price represents a 125% increase on its £8,000 high estimate.
For those that missed out in the sale, PFC Auctions is currently offering a Harry Potter book signed by Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who play Harry and Hermione in the film series. The auction also features Charles Dickens' walking stick.
