Purchasing this artwork only transfers ownership of the physical artwork. The right to reproduce the image, the right of copyright and intellectual property remain with the artist.

SCHOOL OF MAGIC – HARRY POTTER AND THE ORIGINAL TITLE DESIGN

Preliminary Upper Wrapper Concept for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1997)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
Dated lower left: 1997
24 cm x 17 cm
£85,000 (excl. VAT)



This early preliminary sketch by Mary GrandPré, created in 1997, represents a formative stage in the development of the dust jacket design for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book in the now-legendary series. Significantly, it features the book’s working title—Harry Potter and the School of Magic—alongside an early version of what would become the iconic Harry Potter typeface, hand-drawn by the artist.

In this vibrant and densely composed concept for the upper wrapper, Harry is depicted mid-flight on his Nimbus 2000 as he reaches for the Golden Snitch—an image rich in motion and energy. GrandPré, conscious of the young readership, sought to embed key visual motifs from the story into her design: Fluffy, the fearsome three-headed dog, prowls in the lower right; a unicorn grazes near the edge of the Forbidden Forest at lower left; and a group of witches and wizards soar above the Great Lake. Hogwarts Castle looms in the distance, anchoring the fantastical world of the narrative.

One of only three known sketches that incorporate both the original working title and prototype font, this artwork captures a unique moment in the creative evolution of a global publishing phenomenon.

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

Note
This piece stands as a rare artefact from the inception of the Harry Potter visual canon. It is a collector’s cornerstone—one of the earliest artistic interpretations of a story that would go on to redefine modern children’s literature.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré B(1)