First Ted Smart Edition-1998. Third Impression. Octavo (20.5cm); original pictorial boards; dustjacket; [7],8-223,[1]pp. Correct copyright number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 ) and Joanne Rowling on the copyright page as opposed to JK Rowling in later versions. Fine example, unclipped dustjacket (priced £10.99). Pictorial boards immaculate and no dog-eared pages, inscriptions etc. Clean, tight pages. Strong binding. Mint condition and protected by a Mylar cover. Ted Smart Logo on DJ and board spine plus title page. Details of how to order further copies printed on front flap. Young Dumbledore on back of DJ. Copyright to Joanne Rowling on publishing details page. The earliest available editions of the first Harry Potter book, following the first impression in pictorial boards and illustrated wrappers by Bloomsbury. Published in May 1998 by The Book People, an independent bookselling company founded in 1988 by Ted Smart. It is significant in that it appears so early in the chronology of editions and precedes the first printing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by five months (Scholastic). There was some controversy surrounding the Ted Smart editions because Ted Smart did not have official rights to publish the book. Bloomsbury, the publisher that held the rights to Harry Potter in the UK, sued Ted Smart for publishing these unauthorized editions. The case was settled out of court, and it’s generally believed that Bloomsbury reached a deal to allow Ted Smart to continue producing the editions for a limited time. A really immaculate copy.