Rare Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book sells for $5000

The 1999 Bloomsbury-printed book has special features which set it apart from newer editions, such as dropped text on one page and J K Rowling listed as Joanne Rowling in the copyright section.

The Estate at Webb's specialist Charlotte Dippie said this was what made it sought-after in the already highly collectable world of Pottermania.

She believed this was one of roughly 2500 first-edition Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban books available.

"Harry Potter is such a dedicated fanbase. There is all kinds of collectors all over the world [for] who this would be quite a dream item," told Midday Report.

"Also it could be seen as an investment piece, moreso overseas, but mainly what we've been experiencing is collectors [buying these books]."

The unidentified vendor's mother is said to have purchased the book in 1999, around the same time the fantasy children's series was gaining attention.

"I didn't read many books as a kid ... and this must have been the first one. I did form an emotional attachment to it," the vendor said.

Harry Potter first edition books have proven to have big value in global auction markets, with a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone first edition sold for £21,000 (NZ$46,000) last week.

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