Tickets for Harry Potter: A History of Magic, a new exhibition delving deep into Harry Potter’s culture and historical inspirations, are to go on sale Monday 3 April.
From today, fans can sign up to the British Library website to learn more about the upcoming Harry Potter exhibition and how to get tickets.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic comes as part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the UK publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The exhibition will delve into manuscripts, magical objects and myths from across the globe, and will feature new material from J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury.
Each room in the exhibition will be devoted to a different class from the Hogwarts curriculum, including Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Divination.
Over 100 specially-selected artefacts will go on display, some of which are centuries old and reside in the British Library. Other pieces are on loan from institutions around the world.
Today the British Library website unveiled a few artefacts that will appear in the exhibition, including this image of a Mandrake, drawn by Jim Kay for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition.
Another piece unveiled today is an illustrated manuscript known as Splendor Solis – Latin for ‘splendour of the sun’. According to head curator at the British Library, Julian Harrison, this particular manuscript was made in Germany in 1582. It depicts an alchemist in a red cap and flowing red and blue robes.
With the Philosopher’s Stone anniversary in mind, might this have been something fifteenth century alchemist Nicolas Flamel – a real person, who was also a character in the first Harry Potter story – have worn?
Harry Potter: A History of Magic opens at the British Library on 20 October 2017, until 28 February 2018. Tickets go on sale 3 April, and you can sign up for more information at the British Library website here.
Available to pre-order now, Pottermore is also publishing two official eBooks alongside the exhibition: Harry Potter - A History of Magic and Harry Potter - A Journey Through the History of Magic. An enhanced edition of Harry Potter - A History of Magic is available from Apple.
For US readers, Harry Potter: A Journey Through the History of Magic will publish this year, and further publishing is planned alongside the US exhibition in 2018.
