Potterheads Share Their Vintage Pre-Movie Harry Potter Merchandise, Unlocking Childhood Memories Better Than Alohamora

Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor

Aug 15, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

Welcome, Potterheads! Those of us that grew up in the late 90s and early 00s might remember a short-lived era of Harry Potter merchandise. The first Harry Potter movie came out in 2001, only four years after the release of the original novel. Since Harry Potter sort of hit the ground running as a near-instant success, those four years were filled with all sort of pre-movie merchandise - pure and uninfluenced by the aesthetics or actors of the film franchise. These designs and drawings were some of the first visual interpretations of the Wizarding World created by J.K. Rowling, and they have a very unique and nostalgic vibe to them. Because the drawings were based purely on the text, many illustrations feature depictions of scenes and characters with more book-accurate details, such as Uncle Vernon's big, black mustache and Dudley's bright, blonde hair. Enjoy this collection of porcelain statues, blankets, stickers, and more from old-school Harry Potter fans.