and the
Cover Designs
S Mercer bloomsbury
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs S Mercer
bloomsbury
Contents The World of Harry Potter
01
The Covers of Harry Potter
02
The Designs for 2010/2011
03
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
18
The Philosopher’s Stone The Chamber of Secrets The Prisoner of Azkaban The Goblet of Fire The Order of the Phoenix The Half-Blood Prince The Deathly Hallows
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs The Philosopher’s Stone The Chamber of Secrets The Prisoner of Azkaban The Goblet of Fire The Order of the Phoenix The Half-Blood Prince The Deathly Hallows
iv
27 28 29 30 31 32 33
26
Original Children’s US Cover Designs The Sorcerer’s Stone The Chamber of Secrets The Prisoner of Azkaban The Goblet of Fire The Order of the Phoenix The Half-Blood Prince The Deathly Hallows
34
35 36 37 38 39 40 41
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
42
Quidditch Through the Ages
46
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 50 Illustrators 54 The Typography of Harry Potter
56
Index 59
Content
v
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The World of Harry Potter
H
arry Potter is the worldwide phenomenon by JK Rowling, with the first book, The Philosophers Stone, released 30 June 1997 and its final book, The Deathly Hallows, 10 years later on 21 July 2007. Along with the series of books, Rowling also wrote three companion books, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001), Quidditch Through the Ages (2001) and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008), all of which are mentioned in the series. The series follows the protagonist, Harry Potter, and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, through their seven years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here they learn the ways of the wizarding world and for Harry find a place where he finally fits in. As well as facing things that all children go through no matter what type of school they go to, horrible teachers, tests, friendships being broken and mended, finding love, they also face perils that most children their age wouldn’t dream about, for Harry has a dark past linked to one of the greatest yet most evil of wizards, Lord Voldemort. Each book sees Harry and his friends face new dangers of some sort and all can be linked back to Voldemort directly or indirectly. The series theme is predominantly about death, with a minor character/creature death either taking place or being attempted in each book and towards the end some of peoples favourite characters being killed. That being said it hasn’t stopped the millions of children and adults alike from around the world being gripped by the powerful stories Rowling has produced. Just take a look at the premiers of the films based on the book that draws thousands each time and how long the films stay in the cinemas for (Deathly Hallows part 1 (2010) was showing for nearly three months, that’s the same as James Cameron’s Avatar (2009)). The books themselves are still going strong with thousands still being sold each year around the world and with the new cover redesign in 2010/2011 it is sure to double, with its biggest fans wanting a copy of the books in every cover available! The World of Harry Potter
01
The Covers of Harry Potter
A
s with most books, Harry Potter was translated for the world to enjoy. Each foreign publisher had covers designed for the books. Not only that but adult editions were released with a more grown up cover to encourage them to read the books without being embarrassed or put off reading them. Here we will be looking at the latest UK covers from Bloomsbury as well as a set of covers by a hopeful designer, the adult editions, US editions and the covers for Quidditch Through the Ages, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
02
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
I
n 2010 Bloomsbury, the UK publishers of the series announced that they were going to redesign the covers for a rerelease. There were many freelance designers and illustrators chomping at the bit to be the lucky chosen one.
The Designs for 2010/2011
03
H
ere you can see MS Corley’s hopeful designs for the series of books. Corley states on his blog that he designed them “to look like classic Penguin Books”.
04
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
05
06
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
07
08
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
09
10
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
B
ut the designs that were chosen by Bloomsbury are pictured below. They are by Webb and Webb designs limited with special artwork by linocut artist Claire Melinsky. The design is known as the ‘Signature’ as is features the series name in Harry’s hand writing.
“I was delighted and excited to be asked to
illustrate the covers for such massively famous books—and seven of them! It was top secret for the best part of a year.” Claire Melinsky, 2010.
The Designs for 2010/2011
11
12
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
13
14
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
15
16
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Designs for 2010/2011
17
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
T
he original cover designs for Harry Potter featured art work by various illustrators. The design is the same across all the original covers with a coloured band across the top in a different colour for each book and a slimmer band at the bottom of the book which either had Bloomsbury or award information written in it. The band contained the title of the book with a round ended rectangle with Rowling’s name; although from The Goblet of Fire it is featured on the bottom band.
18
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Philosopher’s Stone The cover, drawn by Thomas Taylor, depicts Harry Potter staring at the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ¾.
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
19
The Chamber of Secrets The cover, by Cliff Wright, has Harry and Ron inside the Flying Ford Anglia. The Hogwarts Express runs below them. 20
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Prisoner of Azkaban The cover, also by Cliff Wright, depicts Harry and Hermione riding Buckbeak.
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
21
The Goblet of Fire The cover, by Giles Greenfield, depicts the First Task of the Triwizard Championship, with a Firebolt-riding Harry being attacked by a Hungarian Horntail. 22
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Order of the Phoenix The cover, by Jason Cockcroft, features a phoenix rising from flames.
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
23
The Half-Blood Prince The cover, by Jason Cockcroft, depicts Dumbledore and Harry inside the Horcrux cave, surrounded by a ring of fire created by the former. 24
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Deathly Hallows The cover, by Jason Cockcroft, depicts Harry, Ron and Hermione breaking into the Lestrange Vault in Gringotts. A sword-wielding Griphook stands behind Harry.
Original Children’s UK Cover Designs
25
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs
E
ven though the Harry Potter books appealed to both children and adults, many adults were put off by the children’s covers so Bloomsbury commissioned adult editions. The images were also used for the US adult covers. The photos were taken by Michael Wildsmith.
26
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Philosopher’s Stone The cover depicts the Philosopher’s Stone.
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs
27
The Chamber of Secrets The cover features the door to the Chamber of Secrets. 28
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Prisoner of Azkaban The cover depicts Azkaban.
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs
29
The Goblet of Fire The cover depicts the Goblet of Fire. 30
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Order of the Phoenix The cover depicts a statue of a Phoenix.
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs
31
The Half-Blood Prince The cover depicts the Half-Blood Prince’s copy of Advanced PotionMaking. 32
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Deathly Hallows The cover depicts Salazar Slytherin’s Locket.
Adult Edition UK and US Cover Designs
33
Original Children’s US Cover Designs
T
he US covers were commisioned by Scholastic and were designed by Mary Grand PrĂŠ.
34
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Sorcerer’s Stone The cover shows a Nimbus-riding Harry (in Muggle attire) about to catch the Golden Snitch, with other Quidditch players in the far distant background. Hogwarts castle appears behind Harry and the columns through which he is flying, and Fluffy’s three vicious heads are visible in an opening in the castle wall. In the distance the forest’s pointed pine trees mirror the pointed towers of the castle, while a unicorn gallops by.
Original Children’s US Cover Designs
35
The Chamber of Secrets The cover shows Fawkes flying Harry, Ron, and Ginny to safety after the defeat of Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets The title not including Harry Potter is written in blood on the walls like Ginny’s messages while possessed. 36
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Prisoner of Azkaban The cover shows Harry and Hermione riding Buckbeak. It could be said that all four Marauders appear - Sirius is probably the silhouette toward the bottom of the front cover.
Original Children’s US Cover Designs
37
The Goblet of Fire The front cover features all Triwizard Champions - Harry holding the Golden egg, Fleur, Viktor, and Cedric. An acromantula, partly obscured by Fleur’s hair ribbon, Sirius’ dog form, and distant stands full of spectators projecting above the maze and what looks like a Dementor are also visible. 38
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Order of the Phoenix The picture depicts Harry in the circular room at the entrance to the Department of Mysteries.
Original Children’s US Cover Designs
39
The Half-Blood Prince The picture has Harry and Dumbledore in front of the potion-filled basin on the Horcrux Cave. 40
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
The Deathly Hallows The cover depicts the Duel in the Great Hall, with Voldemort in the back flap and cover and Harry in the front cover.
Original Children’s US Cover Designs
41
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
T
he Tales of Beedle the Bard are a collection of children’s stories much like the tales by the Brothers Grimm, but feature witches, wizards and creatures from the Harry Potter universe is starring roles. The Tales of Beedle the Bard are first mentioned during the reading of Dumbledore’s will at the Burrow and are where we first hear about the Deathly Hallows. The book was published in 2008 after The Deathly Hallows was released, originally intended to be a collector’s item with only seven copies each hand written and illustrated by Rowling.
42
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
T
he UK cover depicts a tree stump (from the story Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump) and a skull (The Tale of the Three Brothers).
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
43
T
he US cover has objects from each story: a tree stump, a hopping pot, a fountain (with the three witches and the knight climbing the hill toward it), a heart and three hands holding the Deathly Hallows. 44
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
45
Quidditch Through the Ages
Q
uidditch Through the Ages is a companion book to the Harry Potter series and like The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a book mentioned in the series.
46
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
T
he original edition’s cover was designed to look like a Hogwarts Library book, complete with seal.
Quidditch Through the Ages
47
T
he 2009 edition has a painting of a Golden Snitch in a blue background.
48
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
49
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
J
ust like The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Quidditch Through the Ages, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a companion book and within the series is one of Harry’s school books. The book has information on all the creatures in the Wizarding worlds and Rowling also mentions that those who pay close attention would be able to find out what creature Crookchanks, Hermione’s cat, is crossed with.
50
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
T
he original edition’s cover was designed to look like Harry Potter’s copy of the book, with a sticker featuring his signature, and claw gashes over the cover material.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
51
T
he 2009 edition has a painting of Hogwarts’ coat of arms with the animals escaping the frame.
52
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
53
Illustrators
W
ith a different illustrator for nearly each book it’s a wonder that the covers keep the same feel through the series. Below is a mini biography for each of the illustrators.
T
homas Taylor is an illustrator who created the cover for the UK edition of The Philosopher’s Stone. Taylor was born in England, but grew up in Wales. He attended Norwich School of Art and Anglia Polytechnic University, graduating in 1995 with an illustration degree. The jacket design The Philosopher’s Stone was his first commissioned work.
C
liff Wright is an artist, book illustrator and advertising artist. He has illustrated numerous books - specialising in illustrations of animals and children’s books, most notably the second and third book in the Harry Potter series – The Chamber of Secrets and The Prisoner of Azkaban.
G
iles Greenfield is the illustrator who created the cover for the UK and Australian Bloomsbury editions of The Goblet of Fire. He was supposed to create the cover for the fifth book, but didn’t finish it due to his daughter Sasha being diagnosed with a terminal illness. He also writes and illustrates children’s books.
J
ason Cockcroft illustrated both The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows it is not possible find any other information about him.
M
ichael Wildsmith took the photos for the adult editions and is a photographer whose interest lies in classic photography, working principally in black and white. He has worked for many of the leading publishing houses, including Bloomsbury, Macmillan and Transworld and his client list includes Marks & Spencer, Cannongate, Virgin records and Cellnet. A member of the association of photographers, he has featured twice in their annual awards in recent years. 54
Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
M
ary Grand Pré was born in South Dakota, but spent most of her life in Minnesota. She began drawing when she was only five years old, beginning with a reproduction of Mickey Mouse. By age ten, she was imitating Salvador Dalí experimenting with stretched objects painted with oils, before graduating to copying black and white photos from the encyclopaedia. Grand Pré graduated from Pomona College with a degree in fine arts, and in her mid-twenties chose to go back to school, earning a degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Grand Pré has illustrated all of the American editions of the Harry Potter novels. She was one of the few people who were able to read the Harry Potter books before they were released to the general public. When she received each new book, she read the story through once; highlighting descriptions that she felt would do well as an illustration. She then created various sketches as ideas for the cover and chapter art, before sending her favourites to the editors to decide which should appear in the final publication. Grand Pré is very careful to make sure that her illustrations give hints as to what will happen in each chapter or within the book, without making it very obvious where the plot is headed.
Illustrators
55
The Typography of Harry Potter
T
he well-known ‘ ’ type face used for the film adaptations title sequence and foreign edition books was originally created for the American release of the Harry Potter series. When the series was released here in the UK the font was closer to that of ‘Times New Roman’ but now the ‘lightening’ font is most commonly associated with Harry Potter especially after the film’s release. This iconic font has become a star in itself and has had many free downloadable types created in its image.
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Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
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Harry Potter and the Cover Designs
Index Cover images Harry, Ron and Hermione, by Zombee Illustration ‘Penguin Classic’ covers, Pages 04-10, by MS Corley from M.S Corley’s BlogSpot Bloomsbury rerelease covers, Pages 11-17, by Claire Melinsky from Bloomsbury Original Harry Potter UK covers, Pages 19-25, by Thomas Taylor, Cliff Wright Giles Greenfield, Jason Cockcroft, from Bloomsbury Adult edition Harry Potter covers, Pages 27-33, by Michael Wildsmith, from Bloomsbury Original Harry Potter US covers, Pages 35-41, by Mary Grand Pre from Scholastic The Tales of Beedle the Bard UK cover, Page 43, from Bloomsbury The Tales of Beedle the Bard US cover, Page 44, by Mary GrandPré from Scholastic Quidditch Through the Ages covers, Pages 47 & 48, from Bloomsbury and Scholastic Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them covers, Pages 51 & 52, from Bloomsbury and Scholastic
Index
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S Mercer