In the week that Stanley Gibbons launched their rare books index, a unique literary work will be auctioned early next month that is sure to attract substantial bids.

A deluxe illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling's “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” containing inscriptions from the author (“The Book that changed my life - J.K. Rowling”), and the illustrator ("Mine too! Thank you Jo - Jim Kay"), with an original drawing by Jim Kay of a baby dragon, will be offered for sale at Sotheby’s London on 17th December 2015.

This is the first printed copy of the deluxe full-colour illustrated edition of “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” published by Bloomsbury on 5th November 2015. An advance copy, it was handbound in Italy, and is the only book to contain the inscriptions and unique dragon illustration. It is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the Publishing Director of Bloomsbury Children's Books.

Estimated at £2,000-3,000, the book is being sold to benefit Lumos, an international non-profit organisation founded by J.K. Rowling. The organisation works to support the eight million children in institutions worldwide to regain their right to a family life and to end the institutionalisation of children globally by 2050.

Lumos is named after the light-giving spell that J.K. Rowling created in Harry Potter that brings light to desperately dark and frightening places.

Historic Harry Potter Prices at Sotheby’s:

2007 saw the sale of J.K. Rowling’s “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” for an unprecedented £1,950,000 (est. £30,000-50,000). It was one of just seven copies of the book – each different from each other - hand-written and illustrated by J.K. Rowling.

In 2013, Sotheby’s auctioned the “Lumos Maxima” bracelet, a bespoke sterling silver charm bracelet made by Hamilton & Inches, based on designs by J.K Rowling and inspired by her Harry Potter books, for £20,000 (est. £15,000- 20,000). The charms included Harry Potter's bolt of lightning; glasses and broomstick; a Golden Snitch; Dark Mark skull set with amethyst eyes; Slytherin locket; a winged key; The Tales of Beedle the Bard book; the Sorting Hat; the Deathly Hallows symbol and a wand, which acts as the fastener. 100% of the net sale proceeds went directly to J.K. Rowling’s children’s charity, Lumos.