[Rowling, J.K.]--Taylor, Thomas

250 by 105mm., pencil and watercolour drawing, signed and dated (twice), mounted, framed and glazed

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An opportunity to acquire the first ever depiction of a wizard (excepting Harry himself) from the first Harry Potter novel.

The illustrator Thomas Taylor, in a blog on his website entitled 'Harry Potter and the Mysterious Wizard' (dated 20 June 2011), discusses the lower cover illustration. The original drawing, represented here, was replaced by an illustration of Dumbledore. Taylor notes that "when I was commissioned... to produce the cover art for a debut middle grade novel by an unknown author... I was asked to provide 'a wizard to decorate the back cover'. So I did... It never even crossed my mind to depict Dumbledore." The publishers, however, were challenged repeatedly about the identity of the wizard and Bloomsbury therefore asked for a replacement. That replacement image was sold in these rooms, 10 July 2001 as lot 613. Also sold in these rooms on that date as lot 612 was the original upper cover illustration which sold for £85,750. The present piece, the only other piece of original artwork for the first Harry Potter book, has never been offered for sale in a traditional auction context.

The illustration includes a caption and signature, dated 1997, all in pencil. The illustration is also signed in ink and dated 1999. A typed letter, dated 30 October 1999, on the reverse of the frame includes a miniature ink drawing of Harry Potter and notes that the image was scanned by the publisher and printed in an elongated state which "accounts for the small difference in proportion from original to reproduction". The artist also notes that "the model for this wizard was actually my own dear old dad!"