Harry Potter Original Book Illustration Sells For Record $1.9M At Auction

An original watercolor illustration from a first edition of Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone has set a new record as the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold. The artwork by Thomas Taylor, depicting a young Harry Potter in front of the Hogwarts Express, was sold for $1.9 million in a four-way bidding war at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City. The piece, created using concentrated watercolors with black pencil outlines, was originally estimated to sell for $400,000 to $600,000. It had previously been auctioned in 2001 for $108,000. The sale of this piece surpassed all expectations, making it the most valuable item in the Harry Potter franchise. (People)