Four daughters have been left stunned after finding out a Harry Potter book their late mum bought for them for just £1 is worth £30,000.
The former primary school teacher, who sadly died of breast cancer aged 44 in 2005, was passionate about encouraging her children to read and filled their house with books.
However, as well as the gift of reading, she also unknowingly left them a windfall after buying the book for them at a school fete.
The copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, bought around 20 years ago, is one of only 500 ever printed.
It will go up for auction at Hansons Auctioneers in Staffordshire, where it is expected to fetch between £20,000-£30,000 – however, it could make much more.
The woman's eldest daughter, who doesn't want to be named, said the book had just been sat on the shelf since their mother died 16 years ago.
She revealed money made from selling the "heaven sent" gift will be split between the four daughters as part of their "lovely mum's legacy."
Talking about the discovery, the council worker from Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs, said: "The book, which has been gathering dust on a shelf for years, is a Harry Potter first edition.
"We were really shocked to find out it's worth £20,000-£30,000.
"I couldn't believe it when Hansons Auctioneers confirmed it was genuine and told me the estimate.
"It was like one of those moments on TV's Antiques Road Show.
"When mum bought the book all those years ago, I would imagine for no more than £1, she would have had no idea it would end up being so valuable."
The hardback copy is from the first print run in 1997. It is described as being the "ultimate Potter collector's item".
Previous copies have sold at auction from between £17,500 to £68,000, dependant on the condition.
The seller added: "Mum has left us a fantastic gift thanks to her passion for books and her determination to encourage us to read. She loved books.
"There was always one by her bedside. I remember a study in our home being filled floor to ceiling with books.
"She made us look after them too. We always had to put them away. Consequently, it's in pretty good condition even though we all read it.
"She was a teacher through and through and a wonderful mum."
The daughters said they realised the book might be valuable shortly before Christmas.
They said their dad had seen a couple of news stories about Potter first editions selling for a lot of money and started Googling and printing off the information.
To show it was a first edition, the number on the copyright page must read 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 – which theirs did.
The seller said her mum bought the book at a fete at Ravenstone County Primary School, near Coalville, in Leicestershire, just before it closed in 2003 and it's been on the book shelf ever since.
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Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: "A mother's love lasts forever and this unexpected gift for her daughters seems heaven sent.
"The sale of this book is a delightful way to remember a Derbyshire teacher who did everything she could to help her daughters and whose time was cut short far too soon.
"I'm looking forward to making some magical memories at auction."
The Harry Potter book is due to be sold in Hansons' Hogwarts Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffs. A date has not yet been confirmed.
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