Man's 'amazing' $3 Op Shop find could sell for hundreds
A Melbourne man has made an “amazing find” in an op shop which could be worth hundreds of dollars.
Dale Baker, 36, was checking out the DVD collection at a Salvos store in South Melbourne last week when he stumbled across a hard copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
“Telling you I had a big smile would be an understatement,” Mr Baker told Yahoo News Australia.
“I knew it’d be worth a bit of money and it cost me $3.”
He believes his copy is worth $700.
According to AbeBooks, which sells new, used and rare books, Mr Baker’s purchase could be worth between $650-$850.
It’s not a first edition print from the UK, but according to its International Standard Book Number and a print line which reads, “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” it’s an Australian first edition.
One is currently listed on eBay with a $700 price tag.
'The best one': Rare Woolworths collectable receives bid of over $10,000 online
Mystery after 'unique and intriguing' grave found during construction in Sydney
A UK first edition of the first Harry Potter book recently sold for more than $50,000.
The one at the end indicates it’s a first printing.
Mr Baker shared his find on Facebook where people called it “awesome”.
One woman called it a “great find”.
“Nice pickup. Well done. It may be worth even more later on as less of them are available,” another woman wrote.
Another added they hope Mr Baker “laughs all the way to the bank”.
However, while one woman congratulated him on finding the book she added most of her appreciation was for what the Harry Potter books have done for her kids.
“I don't care about the value I care that Harry Potter has brought my kids closer together and enjoying reading,” she wrote.
Mr Baker said he plans on selling the book to put towards a holiday.
“I have a 2001 version I can read if I want,” he said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
