‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ turns 20 with new covers

Twenty years ago, the Potterhead mania unknowingly crept up on us when the first book in the Harry Potter series was released in 1997. Yes, it has been two decades since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone debuted. Bring on the nostalgic! 

Now in celebration of its 20th anniversary, Bloomsbury will be releasing four new Hogwarts house themed editions of the first book in both hardback and paperback. Each cover will feature a specially designed crest to represent Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The illustration is done by artist Levi Pinfold who researched into historic images and traditional coat of arms to come up with the story of each house.

{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Harry Potter Philosopher’s Stone Hardback” rid=”4795″ order=”a_tstamp”}

The Gryffindor red is meant to signify military strength with a unicorn for purity and courage, as well as antlers for agility. While the Slytherin crest with a dragon-like cockatrice in green symbolises endurance, glory and honour.

 

In Ravenclaw, the crest features a parchment scroll to symbolise academic achievement, an owl for wisdom, a spearhead for sharpness of wit and a book for knowledge. For Hufflepuff, the crest features beech leaves to symbolise tolerance and a little lamb to show gentleness, and the colour yellow represents generosity.

{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Harry Potter Philosopher’s Stone Paperback” rid=”4796″ order=”a_tstamp”}

The new editions of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone books will be released this June 2017. 

 

Related stories:

J.K. Rowling reveals she’s working on not just one but two new books

#InstaLove: This ‘Goblet of Fire’ cocktail from a Harry Potter themed cafe in Singapore