Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

An extremely scarce first-state copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. A bright and almost unread copy in exceptionally fine condition. Page 7 features a misprint in the form of a dropped section of text, meaning 'Indeed, Wendelen the Weird enjoyed being burnt so much that she allowed herself be be caught no fewer than forty-seven times', becomes:
'Indeed, Wendelen the Weird enjoyed being burnt
so much that she allowed herself be caught no fewer than forty-seven times'.

No definite figures exist for how many copies of the first state exist, however it is often thought to be around 500.

The story evolves around the escape of the notorious 'mad' wizard Sirius Black from top penitentiary facility for wicked wizards & witches, Azkaban; a novel notable for the considerable darkening of tone that was to continue to deepen as the series of Harry Potter books developed. Other elements of note must include the Dementors, Professor Lupin (the first truly effective Defense Against the Darks Arts teacher in the series), the Patronus spell and, perhaps, Hermione's rather remarkable ability to turn back time...

First edition, first issue, first state with the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page and the incorrectly dropped text block on page 7, with © Joanne Rowling and no advertisements at the end); 8vo (205 x 140 mm); publisher's pictorial boards with illustration by Cliff Wright; publisher's pictorial dust-jacket, correctly priced at £10.99, one very small indentation to the lower cover along the fore-edge, which is barely noticeable, otherwise a near-fine copy; 317pp.

Errington A7(a)