Harry Potter fans might like to hop on a broomstick and fly down to Beamish to see a spellbinding framed print of the Hogwarts Express.
Those who use their wizarding skills to seek out the illustration could conjure up a magical prize.
To celebrate the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay, Bloomsbury Children’s Books is launching the Harry Potter Spotter competition in association with children’s charity, Kids in Museums and The Telegraph newspaper.
The Harry Potter Spotter competition launches today (Friday 9th October). It challenges people of all ages to seek out and photograph an image from the book placed in museums around the country and share via social media. Working with Kids in Museums, Bloomsbury has placed 12 Jim Kay prints in 12 different museums around the UK and Ireland, including Beamish. With a clue to solve at each venue participants must find these images, take a photo of themselves with it and share via Twitter (@KidsBloomsbury and @Beamish_Museum) or Instagram (@BloomsburyPublishing and @beamish_museum) using the hashtag #HarryPotterSpotter.
Beamish is displaying a magnificent Hogwarts Express print, which visitors can search for with the help of the following clue: “There’s magic at work here, as the past comes to life. Below the blue and gold ‘Time-Turner’, you’ll find two arches. As you enter turn right, train your eye and picture the prize”.
Jim Kay has always been a fan of museums saying: “Museums are one of my favourite places to visit. The objects they contain tell the story of ourselves and our world, and I find them endlessly inspiring and fascinating. My illustrations owe so much to museum collections, it’s an honour to know they will appear in the places that made me want to become an artist.”
Helen Barker, Beamish’s Assistant Director Engagement and Participation, said: “Beamish is a magical place where the past comes to life, so we’re really excited to be part of this spellbinding Harry Potter Spotter competition.
“Good luck finding the print – you won’t need a Marauder’s Map! We’re looking forward to seeing your fantastic photos, but remember to take off your invisibility cloak first.”
One overall winner will receive a family ticket to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter plus a Harry Potter tote bag, a Jim Kay signed print and a copy of the Deluxe Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (RRP: £150). Twelve additional prize winners, one from each museum, will receive a Harry Potter tote bag, a Jim Kay signed print and a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustrated Edition (RRP: £30). Participants only need to spot one print to enter.
The Harry Potter Spotter competition launches on Friday 9th October and closes at midnight on Sunday 1st November.
Go to www.harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-spotter-competition for full details of the competition.
The 12 museums taking part in the Harry Potter Spotter competition are Beamish Museum; Derby Museum; Egypt Centre, Swansea; Falmouth Art Gallery; Hampton Court Palace; Manchester Museum; Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh; Museum of London; National Gallery of Ireland; Norwich Castle; River and Rowing Museum, Henley-On-Thames; V&A Museum of Childhood.