Potter & Potter Auctions held a 504-lot books and manscript sale on Jan. 16. Prices noted include buyers premium. The top lot was Chase Owens (1797-1869) Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex of Nantucket; Which Was Attacked and Finally Destroyed by a Large Spermaceti-Whale, in the Pacific Ocean; with an Account of the Unparalleled Sufferings of the Captain and Crew. It was estimated at $15,000-$30,000 and realized $26,400. Published in 1821 in New York by W. B. Gilley. This rare, first edition book was the first authentic account of a large whale ramming and sinking a whale ship, and was the source book for Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick from 1851. Melville extensively researched this incident and used it as basis his legacy marine tome. Nathaniel Philbricks popular book In the Heart of the Sea published in 2000 is an account of the whaleship Essex. That book was made into a Netflix film with the same name. Jumping ahead more than a century, J.K. Rowlings (b. 1965) Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, estimated at $8,000-$12,000, traded hands at $11,400. This first American edition, first printing of the book and jacket of the first Potter book in the franchise was published in New York by Scholastic Press in 1998. This copy was inscribed by Rowling on the verso of the half-title: To Dr. J. Robert Dornish, with my very best wishes & Thanks for all youve said! J. K. Rowling. It was also inscribed by illustrator Mary Gandpr on the title-page: To Dr. J. Robert Dornish, May you always find magic! Mary GrandPr. Diane and Leo Dillons original artwork for the cover for The Girl Who Spun Gold by Virginia Hamilton was estimated at $200-$400 and realized $7,200. This matted and framed multimedia on paper work was signed by both artists. The tale told a West Indian version of the Rumplestiltskin legend and was accompanied by a signed copy of the book. We are delighted with the results of this sale.It was an honor and a pleasure to offer these books, as well as the original artwork from the Dornish collection of childrens book art. Fierce competition for many of the one-of-a-kind pieces from the Dornish collection made for an exciting day, according to Chad Reingold, Potter & Potter Auctions Director of Rare Books. For more information, visit www.potterauctions.com.