DEATHLY HALLOWS – HARRY WITH HIS PARENTS IN THE FORBIDDEN FOREST

Full Dust Jacket Concept for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2006)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
Dated lower left: 2006
25 cm x 45 cm
£20,500 (excl. VAT)

This original full wrap-around dust jacket concept by Mary GrandPré was created in 2006 as one of two alternative cover designs for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the iconic series. It spans the upper and lower wrappers as well as the spine, capturing one of the most poignant and emotionally charged scenes in the entire saga.

In this moment, Harry walks alone through the Forbidden Forest, having accepted the harrowing truth: that in order to defeat Lord Voldemort, he must sacrifice himself. The Resurrection Stone in hand, he is accompanied by the spectral forms of his parents, James and Lily Potter, along with Sirius Black and Remus Lupin—loved ones who had given their lives before him and now return to give him courage in his final moments.

GrandPré’s composition depicts a solemn, determined Harry flanked by the ghostly figures of his mother and father, rendered with delicacy and quiet strength. The iconic “Harry Potter” title appears at the top in her original hand-drawn font, with J.K. Rowling’s name anchoring the lower portion of the design. This is the only known artwork by GrandPré that illustrates this scene in such detail, offering collectors an extraordinarily rare visual interpretation of the story’s emotional climax.

Provenance & Condition
The work is in excellent condition, with minor wear and subtle creasing consistent with the artist’s working process. It has been professionally preserved and archivally mounted on museum-quality board with protective mats and cover.

Note
As both a narrative and visual artefact, this piece holds exceptional significance. It not only reflects GrandPré’s artistic sensibility but also honours one of the most thematically powerful scenes in the entire Harry Potter series—a moment of sacrifice, legacy, and love.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré A(7)