The 10 most valuable children’s books that could make YOU a fortune – with a first-edition Harry Potter earning £1.4k
AS ONE of the best-selling literary series of all time, it's likely you've got at least one Harry Potter book sat on your shelf.
However, one man has discovered that his Philosopher's Stone copy was worth £1,400 at auction.
The Potterhead, from Melbourne in Australia, picked up a first edition of the book - which was printed in 1997 - for £1.60 in a second-hand shop.
Sharing online how he came to realise the book's true value, he said the '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' print code on the copyright page proved it was from the first ever batch sold in Australia.
"I'm aware it's not first print ever UK version but it is first print Australia,' he wrote on the Markdown Addicts Facebook page.
"I've done my research and some people are willing to pay for it."
Indeed, according to Abe books, the rare copy - penned by J.K. Rowling - could command as much as £1,400.
However, it's not just Potterheads who have tomes on their shelves worth the price of a car.
There are several children's classics which have in the past fetched their owners hundreds - if not thousands - at auction.
Antiques expert David Harper recently revealed the most lucrative old kids' titles.
These include The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with an original 1969 edition worth up to £12,085.
Similarly, an original copy of the popular 1963 Maurice Sendak classic Where The Wild Things Are could garner £5,090.
While The Little Engine That Could is the least valuable - a 1930s edition will still nab you a healthy £130.
The 10 children's books that could make you a small fortune...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969), £12,085
Where the Wild Things Are (1963), £5,090
The Velveteen Rabbit (1922), £6,971
The Giving Tree (1964), £3,491
The Cat in the Hat (1957), £831
The Tiger Who Came to Tea (1968), £641
Histoire de Babar (1931), £538
The Polar Express (1985), £475
The Gruffalo (1999), £161
The Little Engine that Could (1930),£127
Harper told the : “Most 20th century books also need to have their original dust-jacket to be of collectable value.”
Matthew Hayley, director and head of books and manuscripts at Bonhams, previously told The Sun that first editions, or a full set of volumes, can command the highest prices, as well as those manufactured as a one-off.
If the book is damaged, and has a battered spine or missing title page, its value will decrease.
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