HARRY POTTER PRODUCTS GALLERY: COLLECTIBLES, PART 5

DEPARTMENT 56 COLLECTIBLES

Enesco's major rival in the collector's market is Department 56, Inc. The company's oddball name comes from its origins at a floral products company that numbered each of its departments -- the wholesale imported gift division was #56. It was founded in 1976 and is now based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA.

Department 56's first major Harry Potter offering was the first series of limited edition "secret boxes." They were issued in 2000. The plastic containers have a hollow area in the base, concealing a little antiqued bronze look charm that can be clipped to sneakers, backpacks or zippers. Suggested retail for these boxes is about $23-$38.

In 2001, Series 2 of the Secret Boxes was issued just before The Sorcerer's Stone movie was released. You can see them on Page 15 of this section.

(1) Hedwig the Owl -- the charm is a birdcage.

(2) Harry the ace Quidditch player -- charm is a Golden Snitch.

(3) Golden Snitch -- charm is a broomstick.

(4) Harry and the Sorting Hat -- charm is a Gryffindor shield.

(5) Hermione the Bookworm -- the charm is a stack of books.

(6) Hagrid and Harry at Gringotts (with Griphook) -- charm resembles a small package.

Department 56 also released this "Harry Potter Animated Scene" in December 2000, with a suggested retail of $125. It stands 17 inches tall and has a Hogwarts doorway with the school crest. Wind it up and watch the broomstick-riding Harry, Ron and Hermione go at it. They're after the winged keys in the Room of Keys. The base is decorated with Harry Potter icons, such as the "HP" logo, Hedwig, a lightning bolt and the stool used with the Sorting Hat.

Department 56's second premium figure is this light-up Hogwarts School three-dimensional diorama. The movie version of the Hogwarts crest is at the top, with "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry" at the bottom. The light inside this sculpted plastic thing "can be used as a nightlight or to illuminate your Harry Potter collection," as the company says in ad material. Suggested retail is $75.

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