J.K. Rowling is auctioning off her annotated, first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for charity. The book features 1,100 handwritten notes and 22 illustrations made by the famous author herself.
She drew a crest of the four Hogwarts houses on the title page, which reveals that Hufflepuff's original symbol was a bear, not a badger. "Perhaps Hufflepuff house would have the respect it deserves from the fans if I'd stayed with my original idea of a bear to represent it?" she wrote below the drawing.
There's an illustration of Snape as well as baby Harry on the Dursley's front porch, among many others. The notes give insight to Rowling's writing process and inspiration.
"[Quidditch] was invented in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend," she noted. "I had been pondering the things that hold a society together, cause it to congregate and signify its particular character and knew I needed a sport. It infuriates men, in my experience (why is the Snitch so valuable etc.), which is quite satisfying given my state of mind when I invented it."
Sotheby's is handling the auction; several other books are included in the "First Editions, Second Thoughts" sale, like Life of Pi and Bridget Jones' Diary.
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[via The Guardian]
[via Sotheby's]
