HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE: TITLE PAGE

Preliminary Study for the Title Page of the Trade Edition (2004)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
20 cm x 17 cm
£9,500 (excl. VAT)

Original preliminary pencil sketch on paper created by Mary GrandPré in 2004 as she prepared the title-page artwork for the trade edition of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

This evocative study depicts the worn and annotated copy of Advanced Potion-Making, discovered by Harry during his first sixth-year Potions class under Professor Slughorn. Marked “Property of the Half-Blood Prince,” the book contains alternative instructions and marginal notes that prove far more effective than those found in the official text. Harry quickly grows reliant on the mysterious author’s guidance, achieving near-unmatched success in the classroom.

Unaware of the book’s true provenance, Harry becomes increasingly intrigued by its contents. GrandPré’s composition distills this intrigue into a single object, hinting at the hidden identity of the Half-Blood Prince—a revelation central to the novel’s arc. The image stands as both an emblem of mystery and a metaphor for knowledge passed down in secret.

Condition & Provenance
Excellent condition. Minor wear and light wrinkling present as part of the artist’s working process. Professionally preserved since its creation in 2004. Mounted on museum-quality board with archival matting and protective cover. Original preliminary pencil sketch on parchment tracing paper. Signed and dated by the artist lower right.

Catalogue Reference: Houston & GrandPré E(2)