MuggleNet Exclusive: Sirius Black Wanted Poster Prototype Breaks World Record!

A prototype marketing poster, featuring Sirius Black from the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, has set the world record for the most valuable Harry Potter movie poster ever sold at auction!

Heritage Auctions is no stranger to selling priceless Potter artifacts and in the past has sold must-have items such as original cover art and J.K. Rowling’s chair. However, the sale of this Potter poster has given the auction house yet another world record to add to its list, after it sold for an incredible US$17,925!

The wanted prototype poster has a similar design to that of the posters in the movie and features Gary Oldman as Sirius Black along with the iconic “Have You Seen This Wizard?” slogan. The poster, designed by Warner Bros. for marketing purposes, was made using lenticular printing technology in an attempt to mimic the moving posters in Prisoner of Azkaban. As a person moves backward and forward in front of this poster, the image of Sirius Black disappears and reappears, giving the impression of movement. Rather amusingly, the poster also details a web address for Azkaban (www.azkaban.com), something that is not included on the posters in the movie!

Although we think that this is a very cool idea for a wizarding world poster, it is sadly only one of six in existence. According to Heritage Auctions, the project was stopped after Warner Bros. assessed that the costs of production were too high. Even so, the poster’s rarity and size (at 25.5″ x 40″, it’s full movie poster size) means that it is a must-have for any Potter collector. We’re certainly a little jealous of the lucky auction winner who took it home!