But let's be real as to why I made up this feature: I just want the opportunity to post something about Harry Potter.
So, I haven't done this feature of mine in over half a year. Honestly, there hasn't been much going on in the Harry Potter fandom to talk about. Pottermore continues to fail to truly impress me and the announcement of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, while cool, is OLD news as fans have known that it has been in the works, in secret, for years now. But there have been some notable pieces of news recently that I would like to highlight:
New 15th Anniversary US Edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Cover Art Revealed at BEA:
I am LOVING these new covers. I can't say that anything could ever replace the old covers in my eyes, as I have too many nostalgic memories associated with them, but I really love the artwork and I love how each cover features a key scene from Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (entering Diagon Alley for the first time and escaping the Dursleys in the flying Ford Anglia, respectively).
It makes me wonder what key scenes they're going to use for each of the next five cover releases. Any ideas? I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments!
First Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Featuring Annotations and Illustrations from J.K. Rowling Auctioned Off at Sotheby's:
A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been auctioned off at Sotheby's for 150,000 GBP (about 300,000 USD). What makes this particular copy so special is that it features 43 pages of notes from Jo herself! There are also 22 original illustrations by J.K. Rowling.
"Perhaps Hufflepuff house would have the respect it deserves from the fans if I'd stayed with my original idea of a bear to represent it?"
And, under the chapter title Quidditch, Jo writes:
"-invented in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend... I had been pondering the things that hold a society together, cause it to congregate and signify its particular character and knew I needed a sport... [Quidditch] infuriates men… which is quite satisfying given my state of mind when I invented it."
AIIIEEEEE!! What I wouldn't give to get my hands on this treasure! My left leg? My first born? My undying and eternal gratitude? I would give it all up, I say! I'm guessing its new owner won't be up to sharing anytime soon though, unfortunately. Ah, oh well. I guess I could start saving my pennies so that maybe one day I could afford to spare $300,000 in an auction for something like this. I can dream!
Love this post! :D The new covers are amazing. Wow, I want that annotated notebook! The snippets that you posted are so interesting, especially the one about Hufflepuff - I think that house deserves more respect!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing news about the HP series. I'm currently re-reading the series (for the first time!)
I love the new covers! I'm going to have to replace my paperbacks at some point since they're literally falling apart because I've read them so many times! I would LOVE to get my hands on that notebook! :D
ReplyDeleteawesome, I like the new covers!
ReplyDeleteOoooo I really like the new cover Aylee! The original artwork is of course gorgeous, but I love this new illustration. The car and the Weasley's house is just awesome:)
ReplyDeleteYay for the Weasley's house! I love the new covers :D
ReplyDeleteOMG it's gorgeous. I've always loved that house. It's on my list of imaginary homes I wish I could actually live in.
ReplyDeleteWow, 300,000 dollars is insane! I knew it would go for a lot though. I would DIE to get my hands on such a copy. Sheesh; we can certainly dream, yes. haha
ReplyDeleteI love the new cover for Chamber of Secrets. I'm definitely curious what the other five will look like!
I still love the original covers more, but I really adore the new ones so far (yay for the Weasley's house)! It's nice to see different parts of the book come to life.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I want that annotated copy so badly. It would be so cool to read her notes and see her drawings!
I totally agree, the originals will always have a special place in my heart. They are falling apart, however, and so when I reread them (because I'm a totally HP dork and am following along with Alohomora) it might be worthwhile to get these.
ReplyDeletePottermore isn't for me either. Physical encyclopedia or bust!
While I like the new covers, I think I prefer the original! It's still great that people are continuing to appreciate Harry and Jo, though. <3 AND THAT BOOK. I NEED IT. LIKE, NOW. Wanna rob a bank with me, Aylee? We can share the book! *evil grin* Jo is actually a fantastic illustrator. Which leads me to think that the books would have been PERFECT if she'd drawn the pictures in the earlier editions of the books, instead of Mary Grandpre. She's a stunning artist as well, of course.
ReplyDeleteThe Amulet guy!? I never liked his covers or that book (sorry but it's true) BUT these editions aren't that bad. I do somewhat like them.
ReplyDeleteI like the Hufflepuff Badger and I am amused that quidditch infuriates men (:
I wonder why there is past tense notes on this first edition. Maybe it was in her private stock and she wanted to give it away? That's strange.
HOW HAS IT ALREADY BEEN 15 YEARS?! That's all I really want to know. But seriously, I do really like the new covers, though I'm super nostalgic over the first covers. I don't think anything could ever replace them in my eyes :)
ReplyDeleteI love the new covers and am looking forward to seeing the next ones too! Also the auctioned book looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteRight before you said "I am LOVING these new covers" I thought EXACT same thing! I really do adore them. They're nice illustrations and I like how they catch my eye and use color and just otherwise look nice. But what I really love is how they seem to capture something. I can't put my finger on it, but they seem to capture the spirit, for lack of a better word, of the book they're portraying. There's a lot of emotion. They seem to pay homage and do the stories justice. I cannot wait to see the rest of the covers.
ReplyDeleteThe new covers look so so good!
ReplyDeleteI just got a whole set of them in English so I won't be buying new editions anytime soon :(
Still!! Great artwork.
LOVE it! I can't wait to collect these new covers :)
ReplyDeleteWhy does Quidditch infuriate men exactly? :S But I want that notebook so much. Imagine being able to see what was going through her head when she wrote different parts...
ReplyDeleteWow! I love that cover. The new covers seem even more detailed. They are REALLY awesome. As much as I like that special limited edition Potter book, I have to say $300,000 USD is more than my house. Woah!!!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't enjoy new covers but these are great. Different but perfect in a different way.
ReplyDeleteI was at BEA - how did I not see this????
I'm loving the new covers too. I like one for The Chamber of Secrets even more than the one for The Sorcerer's Stone.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I'd love to get my hands on that first edition! And like you, I have a lot of nostalgia and good feelings attached to the old covers, but these new covers are so wonderful and brilliantly done! I kind of want to buy the series all over again, but I really don't have the room. :( And then I would have to admit I'm obsessed lol wonderful post, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteI too am REALLY LOVING the new 15th anniversary covers!! And I though there was no way they'd live up to the originals but they did an amazing job!! I'm especially excited to see books 3, 6 & 7 :D Oh and I agree about Pottermore, though I still get the urge to visit now and then...what about you?! I should see if I can look up your user name next time! Oh and that special edition HP is TO. DIE. FOR. Hopefully some day we're rich enough to get our hands on something like that!! Eeeek >.< And if not, we'll give out some limbs and future children LOL Awesome post doll
ReplyDeleteWOW! Hopefully the owner will have the heart to scan some more pages of the book! :D
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree w u on the covers! Still love the originals but the new ones are amazing!
Mary G Loki
I'm loving the new covers too and I would die for that rare edition!
ReplyDeletePottermore is something I have given up trying to figure out. I loved this post and you should do them more often, Aylee. There sure is something or the other happening in our magical world. Lovely post!
Sarika @ The Readdicts
Oh I just love this new artwork! Nothing against Mary Grandpre (those books will always be on my shelf and will be a lovely physical memory of some of my favorite parts of childhood), but I do love seeing a new take on the series. Thanks so much for sharing, and I love the concept of Muggle Monday. :-)
ReplyDeleteGenerally I am not all that impressed with cover redesigns (even anniversary ones). But I have to say I absolutely love new Harry Potter designs. They're gorgeous. Is it bad to own more than one set of those books?
ReplyDeleteIf I had a lot of money, I know what I would buy!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm loving the new designs <3
I LOVE THE NEW DESIGNS! WOAH, They're so cool!
ReplyDelete