THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD – HARDCOVER WRAP AROUND

Preliminary Pencil Sketch for the Trade Edition Cover Boards (2007)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
22 cm x 30 cm
£22,500 (excl. VAT)

This original pencil sketch from 2007 served as the preliminary study for the full wrap-around cover design of the hardcover trade edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dumbledore bequeaths Hermione this treasured volume, a collection of wizarding fairy tales that includes the pivotal Tale of the Three Brothers, introducing readers to the Deathly Hallows mythology.

Unlike previous editions, this hardcover lacks a dust jacket; therefore, the artwork was created to decorate the book’s boards directly. The upper boards feature enchanting scenes from the tales themselves, including The Wizards and the Hopping Pot and Babbity Rabbaty and the Cackling Stump. Shadowy figures of the three brothers confronting death for the first time are also subtly rendered, adding a haunting yet magical element to the composition.

Provenance & Condition
The artwork remains in excellent condition, with minor wear and natural wrinkles consistent with the artist’s creative process. It has been professionally conserved and mounted on museum-quality board with mats and protective covers.

Note
This rare preliminary sketch offers a unique insight into Mary GrandPré’s artistic vision for one of the most significant companion pieces to the Harry Potter series, capturing the blend of whimsy and gravitas that defines the Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Catalogue Ref: Houston & GrandPré B(10)