Expelliarmus to all preceding records! An original watercolor painting that graced the cover of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, the inaugural volume of J.K. Rowling's globally renowned series, has emerged as the most extravagant Potter artifact ever auctioned. The illustrious artwork, which adorned the initial edition of the 1997 novel, fetched a staggering $1.9 million at Sotheby's New York after a fierce bidding war involving four contenders that lasted an exhilarating nearly 10 minutes.
The young artist, Thomas Taylor, had barely reached 23 years of age when he captured the essence of Harry Potter standing on Platform 9¾, eagerly anticipating his maiden journey on the Hogwarts Express. Taylor's masterpiece, completed in just two days, showcases the bespectacled boy wizard with vivid concentrated watercolors on cold-pressed paper, accentuated with deft strokes of black pencil.
Previously, a first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone held the coveted record for the most expensive Potter collectible, fetching $421,000 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas in 2021. However, Taylor's illustration surpassed all expectations, fetching nearly four times the anticipated range of $400,000 to $600,000.
Sotheby's hailed it as "the highest pre-sale estimate ever affixed to a Harry Potter-related work," testament to its unparalleled significance. Kalika Sands from Sotheby's exclaimed, "This is indeed the very first visualization of Harry Potter and the enchanting wizarding world." She further elaborated that the staggering auction price was a testament to the timeless charm and enduring popularity of Rowling's creation. "Over the intervening decades, it has been breathtaking to witness not just the conclusion of Harry's epic tale, but also the soaring success of the Harry Potter franchise, with new generations falling in love with Harry and his journey all along the way," she added.
