The craze for Harry Potter and the film franchise’s memorabilia knows no bounds. Recently at an auction, the cover art of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, which was the first book by author JK Rowling in the series, was sold at a record price. This was the original watercolour illustration for the cover art.

It has notably become the most expensive piece of Harry Potter-related memorabilia ever sold at an auction.

The auction happened at Sotheby’s in New York. The cover art was on the debut edition of the 1997 novel which later became films and series and garnered huge popularity.

<h2>Auction creates record</h2>

The cover art has now been sold for $1.9 million. It was not an easy bid as there ensued a four-way bidding battle that lasted almost 10 minutes for the same.

The original cover art for the book was painted by artist Thomas Taylor. It depicts Harry Potter on Platform 9¾, awaiting his first ride on the Hogwarts Express. Taylor completed the painting in just two days using concentrated watercolours on cold-pressed watercolour paper with black pencil. He was paid $650 for his painting.

<h2>Other bids that caught the attention</h2>

Among other record holders at world auctions from the Harry Potter is the edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It was the previous record-holder. It sold for $421,000 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas in 2021.

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After the sale, Sotheby’s noted that it was the “highest pre-sale estimate ever placed on an item of any Harry Potter-related work.”

The craze for Harry Potter and the film franchise’s memorabilia knows no bounds. Recently at an auction, the cover art of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, which was the first book by author JK Rowling in the series, was sold at a record price.

The craze for Harry Potter and the film franchise’s memorabilia knows no bounds. Recently at an auction, the cover art of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, which was the first book by author JK Rowling in the series, was sold at a record price. This was the original watercolour illustration for the cover art. It has notably become the most expensive piece of Harry Potter-related memorabilia ever sold at an auction. The auction happened at Sotheby’s in New York. The cover art was on the debut edition of the 1997 novel which later became films and series and garnered huge popularity. Auction creates record The cover art has now been sold for $1.9 million. It was not an easy bid as there ensued a four-way bidding battle that lasted almost 10 minutes for the same. The original cover art for the book was painted by artist Thomas Taylor. It depicts Harry Potter on Platform 9¾, awaiting his first ride on the Hogwarts Express. Taylor completed the painting in just two days using concentrated watercolours on cold-pressed watercolour paper with black pencil. He was paid $650 for his painting. Other bids that caught the attention Among other record holders at world auctions from the Harry Potter is the edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It was the previous record-holder. It sold for $421,000 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas in 2021. Also read: Mindy Kaling flaunts postpartum body in swimsuit days after secret pregnancy reveal After the sale, Sotheby’s noted that it was the “highest pre-sale estimate ever placed on an item of any Harry Potter-related work.”

Harry Potter cover art auctioned for record price of $1.9 million

The original watercolour illustration for the first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" -- the book that introduced the world to the young bespectacled wizard -- sold for $1.9 million on Wednesday.

The artwork becomes "the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold at auction," auction house Sotheby's said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The illustration was chased by four bidders on the phone and online for nearly ten minutes before selling to applause."

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The work by Thomas Taylor, who was just 23 years old in 1997 when he painted the iconic image of the young boy with the lightning bolt scar and the round glasses, had been expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 at Sotheby's.

Taylor was working at a children's bookstore in Cambridge, England, when he was tapped by publisher Barry Cunningham at Bloomsbury to paint the image for J.K. Rowling's book, which was to be released in London on June 26, 1997.

He was one of the first people to read the book, getting an early copy of the manuscript to inform his artwork, according to Sotheby's books specialist Kalika Sands.&nbsp;

"So, he knew about the world before anybody else, and it was really up to him to think of how he visualized Harry Potter," Sands told AFP ahead of the auction.

Rowling and Taylor were unknown when the book was released, and few expected it would become a global phenomenon. Only 500 copies of the first edition were printed, and 300 of them were sent to libraries, according to Sotheby's.

But the book soon became a runaway bestseller.

Twenty-seven years later, the so-called "Potterverse" features Rowling's seven original books, a blockbuster film franchise, a critically acclaimed stage play and video games.&nbsp;

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More than 500 million copies of the books have been sold in 80 languages.

"It's exciting to see the painting that marks the very start of my career, decades later and as bright as ever," Taylor, now a children's book author and illustrator, said in a statement released by Sotheby's.

"As I write and illustrate my own stories today, I am proud to look back on such magical beginnings," Taylor said.

The first time the illustration was offered at auction at Sotheby's in London in 2001, it only fetched £85,750 (about $108,500 at current exchange rates) -- but only four of the books had been published at that time.

The original watercolour illustration for the first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" -- the book that introduced the world to the young bespectacled wizard -- sold for $1.

The original watercolour illustration for the first edition of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" -- the book that introduced the world to the young bespectacled wizard -- sold for $1.9 million on Wednesday. The artwork becomes "the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold at auction," auction house Sotheby's said in a statement. "The illustration was chased by four bidders on the phone and online for nearly ten minutes before selling to applause." Leaked images of David Corenswet as Superman from James Gunn's film gets a thumbs up from fans The work by Thomas Taylor, who was just 23 years old in 1997 when he painted the iconic image of the young boy with the lightning bolt scar and the round glasses, had been expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 at Sotheby's. Taylor was working at a children's bookstore in Cambridge, England, when he was tapped by publisher Barry Cunningham at Bloomsbury to paint the image for J.K. Rowling's book, which was to be released in London on June 26, 1997. He was one of the first people to read the book, getting an early copy of the manuscript to inform his artwork, according to Sotheby's books specialist Kalika Sands. "So, he knew about the world before anybody else, and it was really up to him to think of how he visualized Harry Potter," Sands told AFP ahead of the auction. Rowling and Taylor were unknown when the book was released, and few expected it would become a global phenomenon. Only 500 copies of the first edition were printed, and 300 of them were sent to libraries, according to Sotheby's. But the book soon became a runaway bestseller. Twenty-seven years later, the so-called "Potterverse" features Rowling's seven original books, a blockbuster film franchise, a critically acclaimed stage play and video games. Here first look: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright look decades younger More than 500 million copies of the books have been sold in 80 languages. "It's exciting to see the painting that marks the very start of my career, decades later and as bright as ever," Taylor, now a children's book author and illustrator, said in a statement released by Sotheby's. "As I write and illustrate my own stories today, I am proud to look back on such magical beginnings," Taylor said. The first time the illustration was offered at auction at Sotheby's in London in 2001, it only fetched £85,750 (about $108,500 at current exchange rates) -- but only four of the books had been published at that time.

Original Harry Potter cover art sells for $1.9 million at auction

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Harry Potter cover art auctioned for record price of $1.9 million

Original Harry Potter cover art sells for $1.9 million at auction