An original watercolor work that was later used as the cover for the first book in the Harry Potter series is expected to become the most expensive item from the franchise ever sold when it hits the auction block at Sotheby's later this year.when he was 23 years old, will be auctioned off this June and is expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000, according to Sotheby’s—the highest pre-sale estimate ever placed on Harry Potter-related work.
The watercolor painting was featured on the first edition covers of"Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" in 1997 and was used by Bloomsbury Publishing for a commemorative reprint of the book to mark its 25th anniversary last year. The illustration was first auctioned by Sotheby’s London in 2001, when only four of the seven books in the series had been published, and broke a then-record for the franchise by fetching $107,000 .
The work will be auctioned off as part of a sale titled"The Library of Dr. Rodney P. Swantko" on June 26, which will also include a handwritten manuscript for J.K. Rowling's"The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” a fairytale book referenced in “Harry Potter” that was not originally intended for publication—it is expected to sell for between $250,000 and $350,000.We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines.