HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – HARRY AND DUMBLEDORE ENTER THE CAVE

Preliminary Cover Concept 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 left: 2004
23 cm x 21 cm
£13,500 (excl. VAT)

This original preliminary pencil sketch was created by Mary GrandPré in 2004 as an early study for the cover artwork of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, designed for the upper dust jacket wrap and spine. The composition depicts a close-up of Harry with Dumbledore standing behind him as they enter the cave in search of one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes.

At this pivotal moment in the narrative, Dumbledore believes he has located a fragment of Voldemort’s soul and invites Harry to accompany him on this dangerous mission. This sketch captures the tense anticipation before the final scene of their arrival at the stone basin in the lake, a moment that GrandPré explored through several studies to perfect the composition for the final artwork.

The iconic Harry Potter title font appears here, with the subtitle and author’s name positioned below, reflecting GrandPré’s integral role in defining the visual identity of the American editions.

Provenance & Condition
The artwork is in excellent condition, showing minor wear and subtle creases characteristic of the artist’s process. It has been professionally preserved and archival mounted on museum-quality board with protective mats and cover.

Note
This piece offers a rare glimpse into Mary GrandPré’s creative development of a key narrative moment and underscores her enduring influence on the Harry Potter series’ visual legacy.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré A(4)