June 28th 2024.
The world of Harry Potter just keeps getting bigger and bigger, with fans willing to shell out big bucks for a piece of the magical franchise. And recently, a rare piece of artwork from the series has broken records by becoming the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold.
At a recent US auction, this original watercolour painting sold for a staggering £1.5 million, making it the most expensive Harry Potter item to ever change hands. The artwork, created by illustrator Thomas Taylor, was the cover for the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, published in 1997.
Taylor was only 23 years old when he painted the iconic image of Harry arriving at King's Cross and standing in front of the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9¾. The painting was first auctioned off over 20 years ago in 2001, the same year the first Harry Potter film was released. Back then, it fetched just over £85,000, but with the franchise now being one of the biggest in the world, the value of this piece has skyrocketed.
Initially, it was expected to sell for somewhere between £300,000 and £500,000, but to everyone's surprise, the bidding quickly went past those estimates. In the end, it sold for an astounding £1.5 million, more than three times the original expected amount.
The painting, which took two days to complete, was created using watercolours and black pencil outlines. It was commissioned by Bloomsbury, the publishing company behind the Harry Potter books, after they were impressed by Thomas' portfolio in 1996.
The value of this painting has only increased over time, thanks to the success of the Harry Potter film franchise. The story of Harry and his journey has captivated millions of fans around the world, and as new generations discover the magic, the interest in these rare items only grows.
In fact, the popularity of Harry Potter has become so massive that HBO has announced plans for a TV series based on the books. Set to premiere in 2026, each season will cover one of the famous children's fantasy novels. While some of the original actors, like Daniel Radcliffe, have stated they will not be involved in the series, others, like Matthew Lewis who played Neville Longbottom, have expressed interest in returning to the Wizarding World.
As the franchise continues to expand, it's no surprise that fans are eager to get their hands on a piece of the magic. And who knows what other treasures from the world of Harry Potter will be unearthed in the future.
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