Harry Potter exhibition showcases history of magic across cultures. See pics - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Harry Potter exhibition showcases history of magic across cultures. See pics

Agence France-Presse | By
Oct 20, 2017 11:29 AM IST

The British Library has conjured to life the magical world of Harry Potter in a new exhibition featuring the oldest objects in its collection alongside never-seen items from J.K. Rowling’s personal archive.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic, which opens in London on October 20, includes Chinese oracle bones from 1192 BC – the oldest datable items in the library’s vast collection – as well as annotated sketches, notes and books by the author.

An illustration of Fawkes the Phoenix during a preview of Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition at the British Library, in central London on October 18, 2017.(AFP)
An illustration of Fawkes the Phoenix during a preview of Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition at the British Library, in central London on October 18, 2017.(AFP)

Marking the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the world-famous series, the display brings together nearly 100 other historic treasures, including cauldrons and scrolls, with original material provided by Potter publisher Bloomsbury.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A detail of a painting of Professor Dumbledore at the exhibition. (AFP)
A detail of a painting of Professor Dumbledore at the exhibition. (AFP)

Artworks by Jim Kay, illustrator of the books, including paintings and sketches of key characters, are also among the exhibits.

The four-month show, which took a year to curate, has sold a record 30,000 advance tickets, with an additional 11,000 made available free to school groups, which have a day-and-a-half reserved for them each week for exclusive visits.

A book of Charms on display at the exhibition. (AFP)
A book of Charms on display at the exhibition. (AFP)

“It’s the biggest, best thing happening in London at the moment,” said Jamie Andrews, head of culture at the British Library, as he unveiled the exhibition to the media on Thursday.

Chinese Oracle bones, the oldest dateable items in the British Library's collection from 1192 BC, on display at the exhibition. (AP)
Chinese Oracle bones, the oldest dateable items in the British Library's collection from 1192 BC, on display at the exhibition. (AP)

To tell the history of folklore and magic around the world, the curators set up eight themed viewing rooms based on subjects studied at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from “Alchemy” and “Astronomy” to “Defence Against the Dark Arts” and “Care of Magical Creatures”.

The curators have set up eight themed viewing rooms based on subjects studied at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from Alchemy and Astronomy to Defence Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. (REUTERS)
The curators have set up eight themed viewing rooms based on subjects studied at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from Alchemy and Astronomy to Defence Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. (REUTERS)

Among the many dazzling displays is the Ripley Scroll, a six- metre (20-foot) manuscript of symbolic imagery from the 1500s describing how to create the philosopher’s stone, which in the books is able to give everlasting life.

The Battersea Cauldron on display at the exhibition. (AFP)
The Battersea Cauldron on display at the exhibition. (AFP)

A stunning celestial globe dating from 1693 has been enlivened by a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture with interactive screens offering an augmented reality experience of the stars and constellations.

Other highlights include the Battersea Cauldron dating back to 800 BC, which was dredged from the River Thames; a mermaid, reputedly caught in Japan in the nineteenth century; and the first record of the charm “abracadabra”, written in ancient Greek.

Urania's Mirror or View of the Heavens on display at the exhibition. (AFP)
Urania's Mirror or View of the Heavens on display at the exhibition. (AFP)

“Our exhibition sets J.K. Rowling’s wonderful Harry Potter stories in the wider cultural context,” said Julian Harrison, the lead curator, who said he hoped it would appeal beyond the books’ fans.

A visitor stands next to a sketch titled The Boy who Lived. (AFP)
A visitor stands next to a sketch titled The Boy who Lived. (AFP)

“It demonstrates that many of the stories that she features relating to cauldrons and broomsticks, unicorns and dragons, they all have historical, mythological precedence,” he said.

The exhibition also features two rooms showcasing rare Harry Potter material, such as a unique first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone annotated and illustrated by Rowling.

Rare international editions from among the nearly 80 different language versions published, including Tibetan, Turkish and Ukrainian, are also on display.

Books are suspended from the ceiling of a mock library at the exhibition. (AFP)
Books are suspended from the ceiling of a mock library at the exhibition. (AFP)

Rowling said in a statement the library had done “an incredible job”. “Encountering objects for real that have in some shape or form figured in my books has been quite wonderful,” she said.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On