A new Harry Potter exhibition has opened at the British Library in London, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’s publication.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic uses ancient books belonging to the Library, as well as original manuscripts, drawings and paintings by creator JK Rowling and illustrator Jim Kay, to explore Harry’s world through his magical lessons.
The themed galleries take you through the topics of Potions, Herbology, Divination, Charms and Care of Magical Creatures, revealing much of the history, myths and legends that inspired JK Rowling.
The most heart-warming parts of the exhibition are seeing her scribbled notes, diagrams and unpublished drafts, and these are certainly the parts where fans linger longest. The exhibition reveals that she is quite a talented illustrator herself, with her early sketches allowing fans to see exactly how she first envisaged the beloved characters.
The many books on display include texts from all over the world and through the centuries, from the 16th-century Ripley Scroll showing how to make a Philosopher’s Stone, to a traditional interpretation of a witch with broomstick from the Victorian period.
Other artefacts include crystal balls, an apothecary sign featuring a unicorn’s head, an “invisibility cloak”, and – the oldest item in the entire British Library – Chinese Oracle bones, which are 3,000 years old.
The exhibition runs until 28 February 2018. Tickets are £16pp (£11pp for over-60s). There is no group rate.
The British Library also has a free permanent exhibition, Treasures of the British Library, which features handwritten Beatles lyrics and Jane Austen’s notebook among the exhibits.
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