Record Money In Toys
Depending on your toy collection, you could be sitting on an absolute gold mine. Although the majority of us used toys for what they were and pretty much destroyed them, a few clever folk kept theirs in pristine condition. You might say that toys are made to be played with, but with news that vintage toys prices are reaching record levels, its hard not to wish you kept a few aside just to look at.
A record increase of 8% in toy prices at auction was seen last year according to toy valuation experts Vectis. Despite the current economic climate, more than $10mil was spent at auction last year and this does not account for private sales. According to Vectis the most expensive items to go under the hammer where Victorian rocking horses, vintage Hornby train sets and a couple of Georgian dolls houses. Most of the toys that were put up for auction last year had either been inherited or found in a dusty corner of someone’s attic according to Vecitis’ research.
Jake Fenchurch of the Society For Antique Toys has given his suggests regarding the occurance of the record prices. He argues that there is a serious lack of hand-crafted quality toys being made these days, and instead companies are opting for cheaper, mass-produced items.This means that the traditional products such as tin and wooden toys are becoming even rarer and thus more valuable. Selling up right now though is not his advice.The toy market will keep on growing in strength he suggests, and unlike other markets there are very rarely any dips.So the advice for now is hang on to those old rag dolls, Steiff bears and vintage toy car collection because there is more money to be made from them yet. Also, it’s worth checking the attic or the garage as you just might find a gem you didn’t know you had.
