Bloomsbury released J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book in the UK.
Bloomsbury Publishing issued Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on 26 June 1997. The British publisher acquired the manuscript after editor Barry Cunningham read it and supported publishing it for children. The book’s early success helped transform both Rowling’s career and Bloomsbury’s profile.
The first print run was relatively small by later Harry Potter standards, with 500 hardback copies produced. The novel then attracted strong reviews and awards, including the Smarties Book Prize. Growing demand led to repeated printings and international licensing.
Different publishers handled different territories. Scholastic published the American edition, where the title became Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, while Bloomsbury remained the principal UK publisher for the series. This distinction matters because the question asks about the UK release, not the American edition or later film distribution.