Harry Potter Is About To Set An Auction Record

In the decades since Harry Potter first launched, there have been a number of auctions, selling off limited editions of the novels, specialty box sets, and even props and wardrobe from the eight film adaptations.

Despite bringing in millions for charities around the world, no single item has ever topped the Philosopher’s Stone art in presale value. Though this particular piece of art was not utilized on the American cover, which shifted the book’s title to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the art has become synonymous with the series.

The cover art was made on watercolor by acclaimed illustrator Thomas Taylor, and is currently on display at the Sotheby’s auction house in London, England. For the upcoming Harry Potter auction, the watercolor print is being transported for exhibition in Sotheby’s in New York, where it is expected to sell for far more than the current presale rate. The cover previously sold at an auction back in 2001, taking in $106,000 for the final bid, which was roughly four times the estimated price.

When Thomas Taylor first crafted the stunning watercolor, he was 23 years old and working in a book store. Apparently he was able to hone the vision of the first novel into the prolific display in only two days time, exhibiting his staggering talent. Now, as the Harry Potter cover goes to auction for the second time, Taylor is an acclaimed author in his own right.

The current record-holder for highest final bid at a Harry Potter auction comes from a 2021 purchase of an unsigned first edition of the first novel in the series, which took in over $420,000.

With the cover art on pace to vastly overshoot $600,000, it seems clear that the record will be set for many years to come. In addition to auctioning off the original art, Sotheby’s New York will be offering an original manuscript of one of J.K. Rowling‘s other books, The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

While The Tales of Beedle the Bard is obviously a lesser-known work when compared to Harry Potter, the book also ties into the long-running series, as a book of the same name is referenced throughout the Harry Potter franchise. In this way, Rowling seems to have developed an existing in-universe work.

The original handwritten manuscript set to sell at the Harry Potter auction is one of six, and was originally written by the controversial author to serve as a gift for those who worked closely with her to bring the Harry Potter franchise to life. The Harry Potter auction is currently scheduled for June 26 in New York, with many wealthy fans of children’s literature expected to arrive.

Source: CNN