I have some exciting news for you avid Potter book collectors out there. Sotheby’s will be auctioning off a very rare edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone at their English Literature, History Private Press, Children’s Books & Illustrations on Thursday, 15 December 2011. Peter Selley, Sotheby’s Senior Director and Senior Specialist in the Books and Manuscripts Department said: “Another imaginary realm which has captivated millions of readers is that of J.K. Rowling, and the sale features perhaps the ultimate bespoke Harry Potter novel. The unique copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone includes 10 wonderfully fresh illustrations, offered with the original watercolours, by Thomas Taylor, who created the first ever depiction of the young wizard.” Details on the book are as follows:
Offered for sale for the first time, a unique copy of the first 1999 deluxe edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, is estimated at £30,000-50,000. The bespoke, extra-illustrated edition is not only signed by the author but also includes 10 specially commissioned full-colour plates by the original Harry Potter illustrator, Thomas Taylor. The consignor asked Taylor to create the images in 2002 for his own library. The scenes were chosen for their significance and to provide an even spread of illustrations throughout the narrative. They were originally intended to be bound into a copy of the book, but proving too thick, were instead reproduced on fine wove paper and sumptuously bound by Asprey. Thomas Taylor provided the first-ever depiction of Harry Potter for the cover of Rowling’s debut novel in 1997. After it was published the image achieved world-wide fame and Taylor’s original watercolour was sold at Sotheby’s London in July 2001 for £85,750.
If I were rich I would definitely bid on this amazing piece of Potter history, for those of you that don’t know I love collecting the Potter books (US and UK editions for now…and a few French from when I visited Paris). My Harry Potter collection is even featured in a book, The Harry Potter Collector’s Handbook. Photos of my collection can be seen in the gallery.
MTV has released a new interview from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter celebration earlier this month. In the interview Rupert talks about Ron and how he wouldn’t have minded if Ron had died, he said, “Nobody really dies in the wizarding World — he could’ve come back as a ghost or something!” [Do you think Ron would have come back as a ghost? I don't.]
Today Evanna tweeted letting fans know she did a photoshoot and interview for TheHFMagazine. To see her interview visit this page and scroll down really far OR search for Evanna Lynch. Some snippets may be read below:
What and who inspires you?
People who can be completely content and creative by themselves, who don’t need others to feel inspired. As an actor, I spend a lot of time travelling alone and living alone and it used to make me very lonely but you have to turn that loneliness into a chance to discover your individuality and be a consistently positive, creative person. You can’t find that in other people. I think people who crave attention, those girls that go from one guy to the next and are never alone, are shying away from their own creative purpose because they can’t stand the oddness of their own company. That’s why I find myself inspired by people like Michael Jackson and my character from Harry Potter, Luna Lovegood; they’re oddballs to our society, but in truth they’re completely natural and self possessed. Both of them are strong and bold enough not to conform to what their peers expect of them. That’s why Michael Jackson exceeded everyone else’s expectations creatively. He brought something new and radical to his music and performances; he brought himself.
I read a lot of artists’ biographies, too. I’m kind of fascinated by their arrogance. That’s one trait that almost every great artist possesses. Van Gogh was a great artist but he wasn’t arrogant and I think the lack of that quality is why his life was so tortured and painful. Artists are such sensitive souls that if they listened to their own rational minds, the fearful, paranoid part that tells them they suck, they would never be crazy enough to paint. That’s why they need a steely shell of arrogance that tells them they can produce something fresh and original. I’m a sensitive person but I could never be arrogant enough to be a good artist. But I like reading about those people in the hope that eventually I may pick up some of their steeliness.
Where would you like to find yourself in 5 years? In 15 years?
I want to be surprised by whatever I’m doing. I’d like to look back in 5 years time and laugh because I could never imagine I’d be doing what I’m doing. You never anticipate the best things that happen in life. Like when an amazing new friend or guy comes into your life but you never could have dreamed them up and you didn’t realize they were missing in your life. I think what I want most out of life is adventure and learning. I kind of like my life to be unpredictable so I’m always being pushed. I’d like to be happy, too, but really learning and growing is paramount and you have to be ok with a certain level of discomfort for that.
Although, I have some conventional ambitions, too. I’d definitely like to be married in 10-15 years. I’d like to have a partner in crime. I’d love to have made more movies and have a strong network of friends within the industry who I can be creative with. I’d like to have written a book too, though maybe I’ll give myself 20 years for that… And I hope to be a better driver. I just got my license a few months ago and as it stands, lives are at risk.
What is the best life lesson you have learned from a fellow actor? Stop thinking.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Warner Bros. is planning on opening a SECOND Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios LA. According to the Journal, an official statement is due be released in the coming days, so stay tuned! The article states:
The new “Harry Potter” addition in the Los Angeles park, Universal Studios Hollywood, will likely resemble the one in Florida, these people say, which includes a Hogwarts Castle, roller coasters, and several Potter-themed restaurants including the Hog’s Head tavern, which serves butterbeer, as in the books.
If the new section succeeds, more “Potter” attractions could open in other parts of the world where Universal has theme parks, including Japan, Singapore, and Spain, say people close to Universal.
Numerous sources are reporting that Daniel Radcliffe will be playing gay poet Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings, a thriller directed by John Krokidas.
A thriller based on actual events, Kill Your Darlings revolves around the relationship between Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and Lucien Carr. Carr, for his part, is credited for connecting Ginsberg, Kerouac and William S Burroughs but, most notoriously, served time for the 1944 murder of his lover David Kammerer.
This is only a rumor as of yet, if anything is confirmed I will post.
Since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is releasing in the UK on December 2nd, on Blu-ray Triple Play, DVD and Digital Download, Warner Bros have sent over another new behind the scenes clip. This one is titled ‘Harry’s Return to Hogwarts’ and shows the making of the Great Hall scene in which Harry reveals himself to Snape.
You can pre-order the film in the UK by using the following links:
