Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as her battered old Harry Potter book given mind-blowing price tag

HARRY Potter fans were racing to their attics tonight after a battered old copy of the book bagged an eye-watering valuation on Antiques Roadshow. One copy – of the Philosopher’s Stone – was in such terrible condition that the cover had fallen off. The other, a copy of The Chamber of Secrets, was in better […]

HARRY Potter fans were racing to their attics tonight after a battered old copy of the book bagged an eye-watering valuation on Antiques Roadshow.

One copy – of the Philosopher’s Stone – was in such terrible condition that the cover had fallen off.

The other, a copy of The Chamber of Secrets, was in better condition but together they are worth £5,000.

However, there is a very good reason as expert Justin Croft explained on Antiques Roadshow.

He was initially unimpressed telling guest Helen: “These are possibly the worst condition I’ve seen on the Roadshow.”

However, he discovered the Chamber of Secrets was a first-edition – and both had been signed by the author.

The book’s owner explained: “Growing up, Harry Potter meant an awful lot to me and my family.

“The Harry Potter paperback I have there I was given in my stocking one year for Christmas and when I started reading it I couldn’t put it down.

“When the second book came out JK Rowling came to the Edinburgh book festival and she did a signing afterwards. She signed it for me.”

Viewers then saw the Harry Potter author’s message – remarking on the bad state of the novel, writing: “To Helen – This is the condition I like to see my books in! (Read).”

Referring to the first book, expert Justin said: “I think I would say £1,000 to £1,500 on this which is really just for the inscription.”

Pointing to the second, he added: “And this, being a first edition albeit without the dust jacket, £3,000 to £3,500.”

Helen appeared momentarily speechless before replying: “Thank you very much.”