First-ever 'Harry Potter' cover art heads to auction
The original cover art for J.K. Rowling's debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is set to be auctioned next month. The piece was created by acclaimed children's book illustrator Thomas Taylor when he was just 23 years old. According to Sotheby's auction house, the artwork is expected to fetch an impressive $600,000 (₹5,00,76,840), setting a new record for Harry Potter memorabilia.
Artwork depicts Harry Potter's first journey to Hogwarts
The watercolor illustration features a young Harry Potter, identifiable by his dark brown hair, round glasses, and bolt scar, preparing to board the Hogwarts Express on his first journey to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This iconic image was used on several international editions of the book. However, it was notably absent from the US version, which was published under a different title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Record-breaking expectations for Harry Potter memorabilia
The artwork was previously auctioned at Sotheby's in London in 2001, where it sold for around four times its estimated sale price, fetching £85,750 (approximately $106,000 or ₹88,46,866). Now, over two decades later, it returns to auction with hopes of surpassing its previous sale value and potentially setting a new record for any Harry Potter merchandise. The current record is held by an unsigned first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which fetched $421,000 (₹3,51,39,143) in 2021.
Illustrator's quick turnaround and bookstore anecdote
Interestingly, Taylor reportedly completed the original cover art within two days while working at a bookstore. His colleagues would proudly tell customers that their local bookseller was also responsible for the cover art of this best-selling novel. The iconic illustration will be available for bidding on June 26 at Sotheby's in New York, alongside other notable works from English and American literature.
Rowling's handwritten manuscript also up for auction
Following the auction of the cover art, Sotheby's will also auction one of J.K. Rowling's handwritten original manuscripts for her 2007 book The Tales of Beedle the Bard on July 10. This manuscript is one of the six handwritten by Rowling that were originally intended as gifts for those who played key roles in the publication of her Harry Potter series. Both items will be on display at Sotheby's in New York from June 21 to 25.
