A FATHER-of-three called Harry Potter is celebrating auction success after his rare copy of JK Rowling’s first book sold for a spell-binding £27,500, writes Jack Evans SWNS

Harry’s dad David bought the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 24 years ago because his eight-year-old son’s name was in the title.

The hardback copy was one of only 500 made in the first print run of the novel which was released in June 1997.

Harry kept the rare book in a sandwich bag under the stairs at his home for several years following the death of his dad from cancer in 2017.

But he decided to part with the precious novel in order to raise money to scatter his father’s ashes in Africa, which was his final wish.

And despite being in well-thumbed condition, it sold to a private UK buyer on Thursday at Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall, for a hammer price of £22,000.

With buyer’s premium, the total paid by was £27,500.

Harry, 33, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, who attended the sale, said: “I’m happy it sold.

“We plan to use the proceeds to take my dad’s ashes to Kenya.”

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, added: “We’re delighted to deliver a happy ending, and add a new chapter to the Potter story.

“Considering its well-used, well-loved condition, the book did extremely well. I’m so pleased Harry and Katie can now use the proceeds to honour their father.

“And I’m delighted Hansons’ has sprinkled yet more Potter magic. It’s all down to the hard work of our hugely respected books expert Jim Spencer.

“He has uncovered and sold several rare Potter books and gained a formidable worldwide reputation for his expertise.”

The sales manager previously told of how has spent the last 25 years trying to convince people that his name really is the same as the fictional boy wizard.

He said: “People just don’t believe me.

“When I was a young footballer, a referee threatened me with a red card for saying my name was Harry Potter.

“When I met my wife Philippa on holiday in Greece, she didn’t believe me either.

“People think it’s a wind-up. I’ve had the Mick taken out of me over the years but you get used to it.

“I’m quite outgoing and I’ve handled it pretty well, plus it has its pros.

“When I was 12 and the first Potter film was released, we were invited to be family of the week on the Big Breakfast TV show.

“I met lots of stars including Gwen Stefani and Ben Stiller.

“My current boss, Steve Barrett assumed my surname was Shaw because that’s my mum’s new married name and she works for him.

“When he found out I’m called Harry Potter he said he should have paid me more because people would always remember me.

“When you ring someone up and they ask your name they usually dissolve into laughter or say ‘you’re joking’. It makes making a complaint quite difficult.

“We think now’s the time to use the money to benefit our families and do something dad wanted. I have three small children – Hugo, five, Arthur, two and Maggie, 19 weeks – and my sister Katie has Freddie.

“Funnily enough, Hugo and Arthur are both names of characters in Potter books but the choice was accidental.”

Proceeds from the sale of the book will also be shared with Harry’s sister Katie Sign, 36, an accountant and mum to Freddie, one, from Waterlooville.