HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – COVER ARTWORK STUDY WITH EXTENDED EDGES

Preliminary Dust Jacket Design for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2004)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
Dated lower right: 2004
24 cm x 24 cm
£20,000 (excl. VAT)

This original preliminary pencil sketch by Mary GrandPré was created in 2004 as an extended study for the final dust jacket cover of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The drawing includes the spine to the left and part of the inside front flap to the right, offering a rare and comprehensive view of the jacket’s layout beyond the central image.

The artwork captures the pivotal scene in which Dumbledore leads Harry to the cave in their quest to locate and destroy one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, a moment charged with tension and foreboding. This piece complements earlier study sketches found in the alternative cover section of this catalogue, revealing the evolution of GrandPré’s artistic vision.

Provenance & Condition
The artwork is in excellent condition, exhibiting minor handling wear and slight creasing consistent with the creative process. It has been professionally preserved and archivally mounted on museum-quality board with protective mats and cover.

Note
This extended study not only showcases the central narrative imagery but also highlights GrandPré’s thoughtful integration of title placement and author credit within the overall jacket design. It stands as an important element of the visual development of the Half-Blood Prince dust jacket, illustrating both thematic depth and compositional refinement.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré B(6)