Classic 1950's Toys - Collectables

Ask most people what some of their favorite hobbies are, and chances are a lot of answers will involve collectables of some sort.

While many people choose to search for and obtain common collectables – such as stamps, coins, and figurines – others choose to seek out more unique collectable items. The value of any given collection varies greatly. While some collectables may be of significant monetary value, others are simply valuable primarily to the collector, and maintain little monetary value.

Estimating the Value of a Collectable

The value – and therefore cost – of a collectable is based on several factors. First and foremost, demand often drives value high. For instance, the craze over Ty Beanie Babies in the late 1990s was driven almost solely by significant demand. Millions of people sought these plush collectables, driving their resell value sky high. Other notable collectable crazes of recent years that were driven by intense demand included Tickle Me Elmo, Furbies, and Pokemon cards.

In other instances, the rarity of a specific collectable may drive the value up. Manufacturers of known collectables will often create limited editions to raise interest in and the retail value of certain items. Time also has an impact on the rarity of a specific collection. Baseball cards, which constitute one of the most popular collectable series in American history, range in value from a few cents to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Those high value cards are often older cards, and therefore in limited circulation, or are misprints or errors created only in limited numbers before being reprinted.

Who Collects These Items?

Collectable series exist for virtually any interest and demographic group. Popular collectables that have withstood the test of time include stamps, coins, dolls, comic books, decorative plates, trading cards, postcards, political buttons, action figures, and specific figurine series. Each generation also seems to create and maintain collectable series, and toys are often the focus of generational collections. G.I. Joes, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Kids, and other similar toys all have items that still carry high value well after their peak selling years.

Displaying Collectables

It is rare to meet a collector who stows his or her collection away in a box. Most collectors are eager to display and showcase their collections. Glass and plastic cases are popular for larger collections such as dolls, figurines, and model or toy cars. Special books and protective sleeves are popular for “flat” collectables such as trading cards, postcards, stamps, and coins. In many cases, collectors may spend nearly as much on acquiring safe, attractive display materials as they do on acquiring the items that make up the collection.

Collecting in the New Millennium

The technology boom of the 1990s has led to a brand new avenue for collectors, and the Internet has made it possible to locate and purchase virtually any collectable item imaginable. Online auction sites such as eBay are extremely popular with collectors, as sellers can often get top dollar quickly and easily for the collectables, while buyers can find and purchase the exact item they are seeking. Static retail sites have been established for most commonly known collectable items, which also makes it easy for buyers to locate their prized treasures using search engines.

Starting a Collection

Beginning a collection can be a tedious task. Many people start collecting when they receive a certain item as a gift. For instance, if a friend or relative gives a gift that could potentially be a collectable, the recipient may start seeking those items out. In time, the collector may find him or herself growing more interested in those items, and begin to continue adding to the collection. As more friends and family members become aware of the new hobby, they may start giving those items as gifts as well to further the collection.

Collectors who become serious about their hobby will probably want to research the safest methods for ensuring safekeeping for their collectables. It’s also a good idea to locate a local expert or resource. This can be important both for locating new additions to a collection, as well as having a contact person to whom questions about the collectables can be addressed. New collectors can also find plenty of books and printed resources on most common collections. Price guides are available to help ensure that fair price is paid and received when a collectable transaction takes place, and are an excellent resource for learning more about the items in a collection.

Is It ‘Collectable’ or ‘Collectible?’

Technically, the spelling can go either way, particularly in the United States. The British variant of the word uses the ‘a’ in the spelling, and it is listed as such in the Oxford English Dictionary. However, ‘collectible’ has become prevalent in the United States, and is recognized as an acceptable spelling of the word in the dictionary.