Classic Toys
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There are a number of reasons why people collect toys, that are classic or on their way to become classic toys. To many, it’s their love of all things old or antique. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic throwback to the toys we played with when we were young, or the child-like fascination with building a collection of as many as we can lay our hands on.
Why do People Love to Collect Classic Antique Toys?
Today’s society is blinded by modern technology, the must-have in gadgets and the latest of toys. When you delve into the world of antique toys you can’t help but feel entranced by the beauty and intricacy of craftsmanship that went into them. You can’t help but wonder which children played with them, and where they lived. Each toy has its own amazing history.
Of course, some collect purely for investment purposes, as it is often possible to make a pretty tidy profit. The great thing about toy collecting is that you can start at any age, young or old. For adults it’s a means to finding our inner childhood. So, how do you start collecting vintage toys, and where is the best place to look?
Vintage Tin Toys or Antique Ceramic Dolls?
The sensible way to start putting together a collection would be to collect the toys that are of interest to you. Statistically, most women collectors tend to accumulate toys such as vintage – antique ceramic or porcelain dolls, jewelry and stuffed animals, while men are inclined to collect metal plate and vintage tin toys such as cars, robots, soldiers old antique bikes and old toy train sets. This is, of course, a generalization, but the reasons for this are fairly obvious. Collect what you enjoy.
Build up your collection gradually and thoughtfully. Keep a look out for a vintage tin toy, you would love to have, and then purchase it, rather than buying the first thing you see as you may end up regretting that purchase.
Is it Best to Collect One Kind of Toy?
Just as we loved to collect toys in our childhood, so too do serious antique collectors. This is great for an antique hunter or a classic toy enthusiast. A large collection of a certain toy, will always sell for a higher price than each individual toy on its own. So if you are interested in specializing in the antique toy trade, then concentrating your search on a specific type could see you build a valuable collection very quickly.
What are the most popular toys?
Any toy from 1850 through to 1960 could be considered an antique, and fads and fashions change year on year. Below is a list of some of the most popular toys on the antique market at the moment.
- Barbie Dolls. The most famous of all collectible toys, the Barbie doll has never really fallen out of fashion, and will probably always hold value thanks to its widespread appeal.
- Jack-in-a-box. Not always a popular item amongst collectors, the jack-in-a-box is becoming more valuable as it is no longer made as a toy for today’s generation. This is a collectible on the up.
- Seventies action figures. After recent auctions where figures from TV shows from the seventies sold for noticeably high prices, collectors have started to grow wise to this new trend and are buying up as many as possible.
- Toy cap guns and toy soldiers also appear to be on the up. This might be a sign that wartime toys and figures are coming back into fashion.
- Porcelain dolls and stuffed animals. The staple of the antique toy market, these two have fallen from grace in recent years; but are worth mentioning, as many experts are predicting a recovery.
Where can I Buy Antique Toys?
The next step is – where to find toys. This requires some time and patience, as there are many avenues to explore. The best thing is to start locally, if possible. Buying from antique shops may not always be a good way to start, as they would be inclined to charge top money for their antiques; but it does no harm to see what they have and the prices they charge. Another advantage away from the antique shops is that many people have no real idea what toys are worth. A lot of people will see old toys as junk, and sell them for as little as a few dollars, with no perception of their true value.
- Car boot sales are often a fun and an educational way to start your antique hunt, as inevitably, there will be a lot of junk items for sale. However, a hidden gem can often be found so keep a sharp eye out.
- A convenient and useful informational resource is the internet. There is a lot of information, and online shops to explore. One well-known site is e-bay. Here collectors, with all kinds of interests, assemble and auction their wares. If you need further information on a particular object that interests you, or want to find out its condition, it would be advisable to get in contact with the seller and enquire.
- There are magazines, catalogues and journals that cover all things antique; auction houses, antique fairs/markets and even advertise vintage toys with detailed descriptions.
- When travelling or going on holiday why not check the antique shops, to see what they have. It’s possible to find antique toys cheaper, than in your own country.
- Auction houses are fun to go to. Go for the experience and see how it works. Should you spot something you fancy, have a realistic figure in mind and try to stick to it. Bear in mind, vintage toys can go for quite a lot of money, and it’s easy to get carried away!
Which toys are most valuable?
No matter what kind of antiques you are dealing in, the condition of the piece is most important. Toys still in their original boxes, that are unmarked and undamaged, are the most sought after. Some will come with documentation about the toy and its age, and this is another thing the vintage collectors look for. This adds real value to the toy.
Antiques can fall in and out of fashion, what’s in this year maybe out the next. If you find that your toy has dropped in value don’t panic; hang on to it, it may, and often will pick up later. Generally though, toys unlike furniture do tend to hold their value.
Modern Toys – Classic-Toys-To-Be
Here’s some food for thought. What are the antique toys of the future going to be? What are the ideal ingredients that make up an antique? This will be discussed in further articles, but if you do spot something, that you think could be an antique of the future, why not start a collection.
Anyway, remember to have fun, try not to blow your budget (or it won’t be fun for long) and purchase that vintage toy that brings out the inner child in you, and you’ll want to go on collecting.
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