Harry Potter's broomstick goes on show alongside British Library's ancient treasures

The oldest objects in the British Library — Chinese oracle bones from 1192BC — will go on show alongside broomsticks and magic wands in a new Harry Potter exhibition.

More than 30,000 fans have already bought tickets for A History Of Magic, which includes exhibits from author JK Rowling’s personal archive, including a handwritten list of teachers at Hogwarts.

The writer said the library had “done an incredible job” putting together the show, which includes the bones used to predict the future, a six-metre-long scroll dating from the 16th century describing how to make a philosopher’s stone, and one of the earliest written records of the use of “abracadabra” as a charm to cure malaria.

She said: “Encountering objects for real that have in some shape or form figured in my books has been quite wonderful, and to have several of my own items in the exhibition is a reminder of 20 amazing years since Harry was first published.”

The exhibition is themed around the subjects studied by the teenage wizard at the school, and include Potions, Care of Magical Creatures and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

It also includes Rowling’s own sketch of Hogwarts, alongside original artwork for the books by Jim Kay, with portraits of characters including Harry, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Hagrid.

Curator Julian Harrison said: “We’re thrilled to welcome visitors and Harry Potter fans alike to Harry Potter: A History Of Magic. We’ve loved discovering the magical traditions that lie behind the books, and we’ve encountered so many amazing artefacts along the way. The exhibition takes visitors on a fascinating journey — from mermaids to crystal balls, from broomsticks to garden gnomes.”

A BBC2 documentary on the exhibition will be shown on Saturday, October 28.

The show opens on Friday. Buy tickets (£16 for adults, £8 for children) at the Library’s website