CLOSE-UP OF HARRY PLAYING QUIDDITCH – NICKELODEON COVER

Preliminary Sketch for Nickelodeon Magazine Cover Featuring Harry Potter (1998)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
38 cm x 28 cm
£12,500 (excl. VAT)

This original pencil sketch was created in 1998 as the preliminary artwork for the cover of a Nickelodeon magazine published in October 1999, featuring an exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling. It is one of Mary GrandPré’s earliest close-up depictions of Harry Potter for a national audience, capturing the young wizard mid-flight on his broomstick during a thrilling Quidditch match.

While Harry’s dynamic Quidditch action takes centre stage, subtle details from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets enrich the composition — notably, the iconic flying Ford Anglia is visible in the upper left corner. The artwork reflects the excitement of Rowling’s imaginative sport, which she once described as inspired by her love of basketball and the humorous chaos of having four balls in play simultaneously.

Provenance & Condition
The sketch is in excellent condition, with minor wear and natural wrinkles typical of the artist’s working process. It has been professionally conserved and mounted on museum-quality board, complete with protective mats and cover.

Note
This early study is a rare glimpse into Mary GrandPré’s evolving visual interpretation of Harry Potter and the magical world, demonstrating her ability to bring kinetic energy and detail to a pivotal sporting moment.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré B(9)