Waterstones to Host 25th-Anniversary Event for “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” with Cover Illustrators
Next month will mark 25 years since our world was introduced to the wizarding world and its most famous inhabitant: Harry Potter. Just as Warner Bros. spent a good portion of last year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the British publisher of the Potter books, Bloomsbury, will be commemorating the 25th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
On June 26 at 2:00 p.m., the British book retailer Waterstones will be hosting a massive event at its flagship store at Piccadilly in London, England. To celebrate the occasion, Bloomsbury has invited some extraordinary guests to the event. Illustrators Thomas Taylor and Jonny Duddle will be in attendance to meet with fans and mark the release of the special 25th-anniversary edition of Philosopher’s Stone.
Thomas Taylor is the illustrator responsible for arguably one of the most recognized book covers in recent literary history. The iconic cover, which features a befuddled Harry in front of the Hogwarts Express, has helped usher generations of Potter fans for 25 years now.
Thomas Taylor illustrated the now-iconic original cover of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
Jonny Duddle is known to more recent Potter fans for his gorgeous and vibrant illustrations that grace the 2014 children’s edition of the Potter books.
In 2014, Jonny Duddle illustrated a children’s edition of the “Harry Potter” series.
Tickets to the event are £20 and include a copy of the 25th-anniversary reprint of Philosopher’s Stone. Otherwise, general admission is £8. With two seminal Potter cover artists under one roof, this is an event that no Potterhead should miss.
For those who can’t attend, don’t fret. Bloomsbury is also extending some of the anniversary festivities to the Internet. On the same day, the publisher will be releasing a special compilation video on social media featuring footage from fans recounting their first experience reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In addition, to one lucky fan who contributed to the video and shared their experience, Bloomsbury will be giving away a signed copy of the anniversary book.
We want to hear YOUR memories of your first reading experiences of Harry Potter, as we get ready to celebrate 25 years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. On 26th June (the anniversary) we’ll be releasing a video 📽️ of fans’ first memories of reading Harry Potter. [1/3] pic.twitter.com/agoqVHjO1a
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) March 22, 2022
Announced last year, the reprint will feature a removable dust jacket with the original cover from 1997, a beautiful silver commemorative sticker, and original sketches from the author.
The 25th-anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is currently available for preorder and is expected to be released on June 9. It’s best to act fast because this special reprint will only be available for one year, while supplies last.
Will you be attending? What was the first Harry Potter book cover that you ever came across? What’s your favorite Potter book cover? Let us know in the comments.
