Original “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” Cover Art Set for Auction

The original cover illustration for J.K. Rowling’s debut novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” is scheduled for auction at Sotheby’s next month. It is anticipated to fetch up to $600,000.

Thomas Taylor, the author and illustrator behind the watercolour artwork, depicts the young wizard Harry Potter with his characteristic dark, dishevelled hair, round spectacles, and the iconic lightning bolt scar. The illustration captures Harry ready to embark on his first journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

While Taylor’s cover adorned various international editions, it was notably absent from the U.S. release, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Initially sold at Sotheby’s London in 2001 for £85,750 (about $106,000)—four times its estimated price—the artwork is now expected to surpass all previous records for Harry Potter collectables.

The record for the highest sale price of a Harry Potter book is currently held by an unsigned first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” This book was sold for $421,000 in 2021 during a Heritage Auctions event in Dallas, Texas.

Taylor, who was just 23 at the time of the cover’s creation, completed the piece in just two days. At that time, he worked at a bookstore where his colleagues proudly informed customers about his contribution to the bestselling novel.

The auction is a pivotal piece of Harry Potter history is scheduled for June 26 at Sotheby’s in New York; additionally, on July 10, Sotheby’s will auction one of JK Rowling’s handwritten original manuscripts for her 2007 book, “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.”