Department
56 Harry Potter Village, The Whomping Willow Animated Figure, Retired &
Rare Grail Item, True Collector Grade Mint in Mint Box
It
whomps. It stomps. It's the most territorial tree at Hogwarts, fully animated
and one of the most sought-after Harry Potter Village collectibles.
Introduction
Picture the start of Harry Potter and the Chamber
of Secrets. The barrier to Platform Nine and Three Quarters has sealed itself
shut, the scarlet Hogwarts Express is pulling away without them, and two
panicked second years make a decision only Ron Weasley could love: they will
simply fly Mr. Weasley's enchanted, sky blue Ford Anglia to school.
For a while it is glorious. The little car
sputters over the English countryside, clouds streaming past the windows,
Hogwarts glittering on the horizon. Then the engine coughs, the magic falters,
and the Anglia drops out of the sky straight into the one thing on the grounds
you never want to meet: the Whomping Willow, an ancient, violently territorial
tree that guards a secret passage and does not appreciate visitors.
What follows is pure chaos. Branches like
enormous fists hammer the roof, the car shudders and rocks, Ron's wand snaps in
the mayhem, and the Willow flings the boys and their battered Anglia across the
lawn before the car sputters off into the Forbidden Forest to sulk. It is
thrilling, funny, and unforgettable, one of the great set pieces of the entire
series.
This piece freezes that moment and then,
remarkably, sets it in motion, so the memory does not just sit on your shelf.
It rocks.
About
Department 56
Founded in 1976, Department 56 is the gold
standard in collectible villages, celebrated for richly detailed, hand painted,
illuminated buildings, animated accessories, and figure sets that blend fine
artistry with storytelling. In 2018 the company launched its Harry Potter
Village line, recreating the most beloved corners of the Wizarding World, from
Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and Privet Drive, in meticulous
miniature. Every piece is lifted straight from the books and films, ready to display
with the craftsmanship and authenticity that serious collectors prize.
Brought
to Life by Department 56
This Department 56 animated accessory brings the
crash to life: the blue Ford Anglia rocks and shifts as the Whomping Willow
attacks, powered by an included adapter. It is one of the most dynamic motion
pieces in the entire Harry Potter Village line and an unmistakable centerpiece
for any Hogwarts grounds scene.
A
Note on Collector Value
Since 1976, one hallmark of Department 56 has
defined the hobby: the annual retirement cycle. Each year a handful of
buildings and figures are retired from every village line to make room for new
designs, keeping the line fresh while creating the genuine scarcity that drives
collector value. Once a piece is retired the mold is set aside, supply stops,
and demand shifts to the secondary market. Mint condition Department 56 pieces
have historically appreciated on the order of 20 to 30 percent on average, with
iconic items climbing much higher, and for a culturally beloved line like Harry
Potter that demand runs especially deep.
Introduced in July 2019 and retired in November
2020, this animated figure is now genuinely scarce and highly sought after,
with collector listings confirming both its rarity and its strong resale
demand.
Detailed description
Department
56 Harry Potter Village, The Whomping Willow Animated Figure. The Whomping Willow is one of the most
dangerous magical plants on the Hogwarts grounds, a violent, thrashing tree
guarding the secret passage to the Shrieking Shack, made famous by Ron and
Harry's Ford Anglia crash in Chamber of Secrets.
Collector
Condition Note: This
Department 56 Harry Potter Village Whomping Willow™ is in true collector-grade
mint condition. The piece remains factory sealed, unopened, and has never been
displayed. Please see box photos included in listing.
Both the original Department 56 Styrofoam protective mold and the full-color retail sleeve are exceptionally well preserved and present as near-perfect examples. The packaging displays only the slightest evidence of normal shelf storage, limited to a couple of very minor corner creases where the outer sleeve naturally overlaps the Styrofoam insert. These imperfections are minimal and typical of long-term retail storage and do not detract from the outstanding presentation. Overall, this is an exceptionally clean, investment-quality example that would be highly difficult to upgrade, and is perfect fit for your Harry Potter Village display or as a collectible investment.
Owl Post Packing &
Shipping
With over 2,000 items sold and
100% positive feedback, Harry’s Trunk has become a trusted destination for
collectors who want more than a transaction—they want a seller who understands
the story, the value, and the collector love behind every Harry Potter book,
figure, or collectible they sell.
Each item we ship is packed to
survive a trip through the Forbidden Forest by being:
Shipping options
Harry’s Trunk — Magic
in the Box. Relationship in the Journey.
Step inside Harry’s Trunk and
discover a store experience optimized for the Harry Potter and Wizarding World
collector.
“One of the best experiences I've had buying on eBay.” —
rco3137
“THE single best
experience on eBay ever!” —
dkrotine7965
With over 1,500 items in stock and hundreds of active
Buy‑It‑Now and auction listings, we offer a collector’s experience that’s
as broad and immersive as the Wizarding World itself.
Every book, figure, and collectible
in our store is a portkey to the magic of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World,
and your chance to build a world, complete a story, or bring a memory to life.
Our buyers say it best:
“I am so thankful… someone who
understands my love for Harry Potter and this village.” —
megreneez03
“Looks perfect in my
collection!” — lisalouis2010
Explore Harry’s Trunk store