It has been brought to my attention that for years a debate has rolled around Harry Potter fansites, and among commentators, about the identity of the wizard I painted for the back cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The mystery has gained greater resonance because he was quickly replaced with a more clearly recognisable portrait of Albus Dumbledore. So who is this mysterious first wizard? And what sinister forces were brought to bear to bring about the change?
According to many, the first picture shows an unaccountably young Dumbledore, while others think he must be Professor Quirrel or Nicholas Flamel, and perhaps that’s even the Philosopher’s Stone itself we see bulging out his pocket! Some have said that the “illustrator obviously didn’t read the text before illustrating it”. Or perhaps the text was too precious to be released before publication! Because this is Harry Potter, it’s even been suggested, breathlessly, that maybe I was privy to secret knowledge of the characters and books to come.
Well, though I’m afraid it’s rather dull, here’s the real explanation: when I was commissioned by Barry Cunningham to produce the cover art for a debut middle grade novel by an unknown author called J. K. Rowling — and yes, I did read it — I was asked to provide “a wizard to decorate the back cover”. So I did. The books are full of magical characters and sorcerers, so it wasn’t difficult to conjure up one of my own. It never even crossed my mind to depict Dumbledore. Well done, Chlidonias, for guessing correctly.
And the change? Well, the publishers found themselves repeatedly called on to explain why the wizard on the back didn’t correspond to the description of Dumbledore in the book. It was clear what readers wanted and expected, so Bloomsbury contacted me for a portrait of the famous head of Hogwarts, and the original wizard disappeared in a puff of smoke.
So that’s the answer. The first wizard wasn’t anyone in particular. Except…
…except he was, actually. He was based on none other than my own wonderful, magical father. Yes, my somewhat eccentric, embroidered skullcap-wearing dad is the wizard on the back of Harry Potter. Here he is boiling up a potion:
I’ll leave you to guess which wizard I prefer.
(See also: Me and Harry Potter)
If you have any interest in getting your children's novel published, by the way, make sure you click on the Barry Cunningham link. Excellent, excellent advice.
That's a great story! And your dad really only needs a bit more beard and he's there!
I love this! Your dad makes a wonderful wizard!
That's the wizard on the back of my copy – I didn't realise that he'd changed. I'll have to take a look next time I visit my bookshop!Love your magical Dad. Everyone should have a magical Dad 🙂
Fascinating. I can definitely see the similarity. And I've always loved that illustration of yours. Well, always since I first saw it …
Thanks for the comments. Yes, Dad's beard is getting a little silvery these days, but he's stil pretty magical:)
Wow, Thomas! Hadn't realised you'd drawn that cover. It's the copy I have. What a fab story–and good to have The Truth behind the many myths.
Thanks, Lucy. Copies of the book with the first wizard are a little more sought after by collectors, but only I have the amazing apron-wearing original:)
This is Thomas´Dad here…..Thanking you for your magical comments.Yes….life in many ways is a magical journey..and there are many ways we can cast a spell in other peoples lives.
🙂
A great story. I have the copy with your Dad-Wizard on the cover! I presumed that it was Professor Quirrel…so this makes for an interesting read. Did you illustrate any other Rowling books?
Hi, Trish. Thanks for commenting. I only illustrated the cover of the first book. If you like, you can read more about my experiences here:http://thatelusiveline.blogspot.com/2009/09/harry-potter-and-missing-artist.html
What a lovely story – that made me quite tearful!
Thanks, Kathryn:)
How lovely that you get to spread the magic to those of us with neither wizards nor magical dads.
Brilliant, Thomas! I like your writing perhaps even more than your illustrations.Being mentioned in your blog I consider one of the great achievements of my life (not that I have many more). Thanks!
Hi, Rachel. I'm sorry to hear it!Childonias, thanks for that, and thanks also for getting in touch.
I'm obviously a Johnny-come-lately as my copy has Dumbledore on it. I think it's rather too easy to look at the whole HP phenomenon with hindsight and to imagine which characters were going to catch the readers' imagination. After all, Dumbledore doesn't appear that often in the first book. Why not a picture of Mr Dursley I ask you? 😉
There is something about HP that seems to bring out the mystery busting side of human nature. It's amazing how many conspiracies there've been about it.
Interesting story! I've sent it around the Twitter machine…am sure there are plenty of Harry Potter fans out there who will love to read this.
Thanks, Ian:)
Which makes me wonder why you are not on Twitter, since you have so many interesting things to say, you should spread the word.
Thanks, Ian. I'll join soon, especially as facebook might be about to decline. At least, so they say.
Woah Thomas! Your amazing, that picture is my childhood! Thanks so much, I did wonder who it was! 🙂
Thanks, Ruby:)
Why Dumbledore is Cunningham's old buddy Spike Milligan!
Thanks for that, Anonymous. I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but as this is the second time you've tried to say it, it would be churlish of me not to let you;-)
hi ive been searching for an answer to this for a long time, i know i have the copy with the picture of your dad on the back, its packed in a box somewhere, i have a question though, do you know which printing they changed the picture? i am just curious as someone has told me it is worth a lot and i would like to know if i need to insure it thanxp.s your dad makes a wonderful wizard!
Hi, Cake Ladie.Thanks for getting in touch. I'm afraid I don't know exactly which edition saw the change in the wizard pictures. All I can tell you (glancing at my own bookshelves) is that the 33rd edition still had the old wizard on it, while the 42nd has Dumbledore. As for its value, I would say that unless you have a very early hardback, your book probably wouldn't be worth insuring. But it is worth preserving it in good condition, as the early paperbacks are already falling apart.best wishesThomas
This is awesome, and there was I thinking he was the eccentrically dressed wizard who says hello to Harry on the street in the first few chapters.
Did you know your “Mysterious Wizard” has his own wiki article, which calls him Wizzy?
Is that really his nickname, and if not what name would you give him? 😀
Hi, Matt. Thanks for getting in touch. I had no idea there was a page for this character; so thanks for letting me know.
I don’t know where the name ‘Wizzy’ comes from, but it doesn’t come from me. If I think of something better (which won’t be difficult!), I might post it here.
T
Correction: it DOES come from me, it seems, but only because I used that word as a quick file name. Perhaps I should just rename the file:-)
Ahh, I see, thanks for the reply! I recommend this site for inspiration if you’re stuck, which generates names that are almost as awesome as your picture, such as Erebus Stroulger, Bradley Montague or Adelphus Punnet. 😀
Can you please share with us the full illustration you made for the cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in high resolution? I saw it in your other post and as a fan I wanted to print it as a poster for putting in my room…
Hello Thomas. Just a few questions: If «Wizzy» isn’t his name, would you mind to give him one right now for us to know? What’s the thing he’s holding in his pocket? And, as Reydson asked, can you please share the original illustration? I also thought it was some random wizard you found in the book, like the one who greets Harry.
Thanks for reading, I’ve been watching your work and it’s amazing (sorry for my English, I’m from Argentina) ¡bye!
Hi, Alphonso. Yes, he was only ever intended to be a generic wizard to decorate the back cover, so never needed a name. If he really needs one now, let him be Robertus Tallis. Thanks for getting in touch. T
DEAR MR. THOMAS TAYLOR:
WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME THE EXACT DATE IN WHICH YOU DRAW THE FIRST HARRY POTTER COVER? WAS IT PRINTED SOMEWHERE AS REFERENCE BOOKS?
Dear Mr. Taylor!
I am not a big fan of Harry Potter, and I have read only three books of this series in Hungarian, long long ago. In spite of that, now I thought I give it a chance in English. I just bought the first Harry Potter book with your cover, but with Dumbledor at the back… After I’ve checked literally every cover illustrations – probably because I am also a graphic designer and I am interested in such things anyway – I decided to buy this one. It fits to this magic world the book tells about. So, when I ordered this book, I didn’t know that there’s a picture at the back, too. I was so glad for it!! Now that I see that there’s two kinds of it (one with Dumbledor and one with the other wizard), I thought that I really like how Dumbledor is looking like on that drawing, but I don’t understand why did they demand for a new back art for that book… Because to see a mysterious wizard on it, makes it just more interesting and would make me wonder who is that person, but not in a bad way. It would be something more special and enchanted. I would like that. Well, I wanted to say that I really like it, and both of the wizards. Great art. 🙂
PS: I am so sad that I can’t see the rest of the volumes with your illustrations! It would have been magical.
Flóra
Such a lovely tribute to your father! I’m pleased I decided to read this, after being directed here by Philip Errington’s bibliography on Rowling. It is a lovely bit of trivia to know! Thank you, Becky