'MAGICAL'
Original painting for front cover of first Harry Potter book sells for eye-watering record sum
The piece was created by art school graduate Thomas Taylor, then 23, in 1997, for unknown author JK Rowling
THE original painting for the front cover of the first Harry Potter book has sold for a record £1.5million at auction.
The watercolour shows Harry with his trademark scar in front of the Hogwarts Express. It was created by art school graduate Thomas Taylor, then 23, in 1997, for unknown author JK Rowling.
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It smashed its £450,000 estimate in New York, making it the most expensive Harry Potter item ever sold.
Mr Taylor, not involved in the sale, said: “I’m proud to look back on such magical beginnings.”
It is the most expensive Harry Potter item ever sold, beating a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which was auctioned off for £350,000 in Dallas, Texas, US in December 2021.
A spokesperson for the auction house said: “The assignment came from Barry Cunningham at Bloomsbury for a novel by an unpublished author by the name of Jo Rowling, and Taylor was among the first to read the manuscript and experience J.K. Rowling's wizarding world.
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“Taylor’s charming submission featured a young Harry Potter boarding the train to Hogwarts, unaware that his magical depictions would enchant readers worldwide for years to come.
“With over 500 million copies sold worldwide and translations in 80 languages, the series has become a worldwide hit.
“Taylor’s first-ever depiction of the boy wizard, coined the “universal image” of Harry Potter himself, is complete with his trademark dark hair, round glasses, and lightning bolt scar."
The illustration was first offered for sale in 2001 where a prominent collection paid £85,750 for it - so it has increased 17 times in value since then.
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