HARRY POTTER COLLECTIBLES, PART 1

NOTE: THIS PAGE MAY TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD. PLEASE BE PATIENT.

A number of collectibles, especially series of limited-edition items, have been on the market since late 2000. Warner Bros. has signed with three of the biggest names in the collectibles trade. Two well-known makers of "cutesy" things are on board -- Enesco, known for Sam Butcher's Precious Moments characters, and Department 56, who gave us the Snowbabies. Hallmark Cards, Inc., a major greeting card player, has become equally famous for collectibles. It will have collectible figurines and ornaments. Kurt S. Adler, Inc., a huge manufacturer of holiday decorations, is selling stockings, lights and glass and resin ornaments.

ENESCO COLLECTIBLE FIGURINES AND BOXES

So far, Enesco Group, Inc., has released the "Heroes" series of interlocking characters; the "Magic Trinket Boxes"; and collectible waterballs.

Enesco, based in Itasca, Illinois, USA, also has created two series of collector's stones (see Part 3 and Part 4 of this section), and mugs in the likeness of major characters' faces (see Housewares, Part 7).

The Heroes Series is shown below. Each plastic character is on a stone-like floor base, and all interlock to form one tableau. Each figurine also comes with a colored story scope discussing the character or plot involved. These are attractive little figures, priced at about $12.50-$13 each.

(1) Harry catches the Golden Snitch	(2) Hagrid presents the egg holding baby Norbert.	(3) Hermione plays the magic flute to put Fluffy to sleep.
(4) Ron holds Scabbers and works his wand.	(5) Dumbledore looks ready to cast a spell.	(6) Hedwig sits atop some textbooks, probably Harry's.

ENESCO MAGIC TRINKET BOXES

"Among the three layers of each trinket box lies an enchanting surprise," promises Enesco for these six three-layer collector's boxes of plastic. They seem to be a creative idea that departs from the figurine and action figure approach. They cost about $13 each.

(1) Harry approaches the Mirror of Erised and sees his long-dead parents.	(2) The Fat Lady portrait moves aside to show the staircase to Gryffindor sleeping quarters and Harry.	(3) Hagrid accompanies Harry to the Potter vault at Gringotts, where he finds the fortune his parents left him.
(4) Hermione's trunk opens to show her school supplies to learn the magic arts.	(5) Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback hatches from his egg in this trinket box.	(6) Inside a Magical Theory textbook is Ron's pet, Scabbers, hiding out.

ENESCO WATERBALLS

Four snowglobes have been released. They feature familiar scenes The Sorcerer's Stone book and movie. The Harry Quidditch waterball is about $29; the others are about $21.

(1) Harry catches the Golden Snitch for Gryffindor.	(2) Harry watches the birth of baby dragon Norbert.
(3) Ron labors hard over a potion in Snape's class.	(4) Hermione holds a scroll and looks over bottles of potions -- she's very good at mixing them!

ENESCO STORYTELLER SERIES

The four polyresin Storytellers figurines have a book-shaped base. An eyepiece is used to view the rotating story frames, which are on a plastic wheel accessible in the side of the base. They retail for about $20 each.

(1) Harry with his wand and trusted pet, Hedwig.

(2) Ron with a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

(3) Hermione expertly levitates a feather in Charms class.

(4) Fluffy furiously guards the beginning path to the Sorcerer's Stone.

GO TO COLLECTIBLES, PART 2 >>