Several rare books were stolen from SN Books in Thetford over the night of 8-9 January, including a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, described as the ‘Holy Grail’ for serious Potter collectors. This being one of 500 copies from the first edition in 1997 which names the author as Joanne Rowling. 300 such copies were sold to libraries, meaning only a possible 200 exist in unmarked condition. The stolen copy was particularly rare, coming in a red custom-made box. It is valued at £40,000.
Among the other stolen books were, a first edition of The Hobbit, worth £7,000; a set of first editions of the four Winnie the Pooh books, valued at £5,000; a signed first of Terry Pratchett’s first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, worth £9,000; a first edition of The Great Gatsby, valued at £2,000; two first editions of the beginning of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, The Gunslinger, worth £2,000 each, and a ‘thumbprinted’ copy of A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.
Anyone with information about the stolen books can contact PC Weigelt-Holmes at Thetford Police Station or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.