Throughout its runs with the Harry Potter trading cards license, Artbox did an excellent job of landing nearly all of the big names to sign cards. Things got off to a bang with the 2004 Artbox Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Autographs. Both the main set and the Update have some heavy hitters including the best card the movies ever produced.
The first Prisoner of Azkaban set was also the first Artbox did for Harry Potter. Autographs land 1:48 packs, which works out to every other box. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) are the top signers, although there are plenty of other notable names and important characters.
Because of the first set’s success, Artbox upped the print run for their Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Update set. As a result, autographs are tougher, falling 1:110 hobby packs. But the checklist is nothing short of amazing, even compared to the strong first set.
All three of the main characters, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Watson and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) signed cards. There’s also a triple autograph that has all three of their signatures. Needless to say, it’s one of the most desirable modern trading cards.
A couple of cards can’t be found in Update packs. One of Warwick Davis’ two cards was included in special tins made for the 2004 UK Memorabilia Show. The tin had a production run of 400. The Peter Best Executioner was given to dealers as an incentive after the release of the Update set.
2004 Artbox Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Autographs Checklist
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Prisoner of Azkaban
Julie Christie as Madam Rosmerta – Redemption
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge
Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
James Phelps as Fred Weasley
Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley
Prisoner of Azkaban Update
David Bradley as Argus Filch
Warwick Davis as Choir Conductor – arms down
Warwick Davis as Choir Conductor – arm raised
Pamela Ferris as Aunt Marge – Redemption
Dawn French as The Fat Lady
Jimmy Gardner as Ernie Prang – Redemption
Genevieve Gaunt as Pansy Parkinson
Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon – Redemption
Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
Lee Ingleby as Stan Shunpike
Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
Chris Rankin as Percy Weasley
Emma Watson as Hermione
Jaime Waylett as Vincent Crabb
James Phelps and Oliver Phelps as Fred and George Weasley
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley