When the first set of Harry Potter Lego were released I was completely taken with the original Hogwarts Castle design. Compared to the other three that were released after that original it managed to stand its own but some of the added improvements were true selling points. When the fourth version of the set was released in 2010 hard core collectors started questioning the company ethics; was it really necessary to release yet another version?
With prices in the hundred dollar range when sets were released, it wasn’t a casual purchase for most people. Even so, people who were committed to getting at least one of every set stuck with the theme. I eventually invested in all four of the builds; the changed to them were nice but unless you owned all four of them chances are you wouldn’t be able to spot most of the differences.
Hogwarts Castle – Lego Set 4709
Series: Sorcerers Stone – Year Released: 2001
682 pieces, 9 figures, $89.99 original selling price
This is the original design for Hogwarts and while it pales in comparison to the newer versions, there are some nice perks to it. This was created before the color crossover happened to convert the mini figures from classic yellow to flesh but there are still a lot of great perks to the set. The mini figure include Professor Dumbledore, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Professor Snape, Harry Potter, Peeves the ghost, Knight Statue and Draco Malfoy. When assembled it could be added to other sets in the installment of the series to create one huge diorama. This was one of the key selling points for the set. The boxes showed the different ways that the other sets could be added to this one. Since it is over ten years old and finding them new in mint packaging is almost impossible, the prices on this are in the $500.00 range.
Hogwarts Castle – Lego Set 4757
Series: Prisoner of Azkaban – Year Released: 2004
944 pieces, 9 figures, $89.99 original selling price
Taking a little bit of a different approach to the view of Hogwarts, this was a nice update to the original but seeing as how there was only a three year span, some collectors felt that there wasn’t enough to the set to make it worth investing in. While it had the same price tag as the original it was something that the hard core collectors passed on. Mini figures in this set include the awesome Dementors, Professor Trelawney, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Professor Dumbledore and Ron Weasley. This is a little smaller than the original but still something that had a lot of perks to it and it could easily be added to other Harry Potter themed sets without having to change much. If you are looking for a set that you can use to convert to use with a village or a custom Diagon Alley scene, this one will work but you would have to get it at a good price to be able to justify the purchase. The lowest I have seen this in a mint box is in the $300.00 range.
Hogwarts Castle – Lego Set 5378
Series: Order of The Phoenix – Year Released: 2007
943 pieces, 9 mini figures, $89.99 original selling price
If you are looking for something that clings to the original design of Hogwarts Castle then this is the set to look for. It has a lot of the same elements used for the structure however there are some new mini figures introduced like Professor Dolores Umbridge and a Death Eater. Of course there are the classic figures like Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Hagrid and Ron Weasley all done in flesh instead of classic yellow. This does have a slightly darker tone to it with the addition of the black skeletal horses but nothing that makes it hard to mix in with other sets from other parts of the Harry Potter series. It has a wide-open feel to it so it is something that you can use to build up a scene but you can just as easily convert it or add it to another version of Hogwarts Castle to make a mega scene. If you are going to combine sets you are going to need ample space and base plates.
Hogwarts Castle – Lego Set 4842
Series: Harry Potter – Year Released: 2010
1,290 pieces, 11 figures, $129.99 original selling price
In my opinion this is one of the least visually pleasing of the Hogwarts sets; the roof set up was clunky and the side panels were the wrong color. Hinged sections should be added to increase the worth of a set, not to try to make it look larger and jacking up the price on it. Even though you got some nice mini figures with the set, it wasn’t enough to justify the even higher price tag that Lego slapped on it. Included with the set: Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall, Argus Filch, Voldemort, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, the updated Gryffindor Knight Statue and two of the new Dementors. Even though there are more pieces to the set and the mini figures are done in flesh instead of classic yellow, I waited until the price dropped on this to get one. If you can find this at a reduced price it is a good deal but I can’t guarantee that you are going to fall in love with the design out of it out of the box. It is a customizers dream set if you want to modify it but if you are looking for something to display or play with as-is, you are better off getting one of the other versions.
If you are going to shop for these sets online you have to make sure you are going to get the complete set and that you check the Lego set number. Since there are four Hogwarts Castle sets you need to make sure you are getting the one that you want. Busted or opened sets should sell for less than mint or boxed sets; if you are purchasing a busted set you are going to want to make sure that the missing or removed items are listed so you know if you are getting a deal or not. Items purchased from third parties or through auctions are not subject to Lego coverage; if you purchased a set from a store and a part or element happened to be missing they would send you a replacement but if you made the purchased from a third party they are under no obligation to send any type of replacement part.
