Harry Potter Magic Helps Conjure up Profit Rise at Bloomsbury

Harry Potter is still working his magic for the publisher Bloomsbury after nearly 20 years, with sales more than doubling over the past year thanks to a new illustrated version of the first book in the series.

Sales of the enduringly popular books by JK Rowling jumped by 133% in the 12 months to 29 February, boosted by the new edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, illustrated by Jim Kay and released in October. 1.1m copies have been sold.

It will be followed by an illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, to be published within the next year.