These ‘Harry Potter’ ebook covers were never released (but should have been)

BY SHANNON CONNELLAN From Mashable

Since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997, there have been many different covers published for J.K. Rowling’s beloved books.

UK illustrator Olly Moss was commissioned by Rowling’s website Pottermore to create covers for the release of the first Harry Potter ebook series in 2015, and now he’s released a host of unpublished alternatives.

Moss, who currently lives and works in Winchester, created this “Optical Illusions” series for the digital release.

IMAGE: OLLY MOSS
But Moss didn’t just create one concept for the ebooks, and he’s just gained permission to release the whole set, sharing it on Twitter. “They asked for one sketch for one book but I really, really, really wanted to win it,” he tweeted.

Amongst Moss’ Google Drive link of alternate cover ideas is a few stunning possibilities that were never used.

There’s an unpublished series of covers dubbed “Heraldry,” which picks up a different icon for each book — there’s giant spider Aragog on the Chamber of Secrets cover, a Hungarian Horntail for the Goblet of Fire and Marvolo Gaunt’s Ring from the Half-Blood Prince.

IMAGE: OLLY MOSS
There’s another series dubbed “Silhouettes,” with scenes from each book contained within Harry’s head in profile, which ages a little each time.

IMAGE: OLLY MOSS
Plus, there’s this stunning illustrated cover that looks like an old classic, using the sky above Diagon Alley to sneak in Harry’s signature lightning bolt.

Among the alternative cover stash, you’ll also find the collection of “Travel” posters Moss ran with Pottermore in 2016.

Perhaps Pottermore might consider rolling out a limited edition run with Moss’ unpublished covers? Prints at the very least?

Accio galleons.

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