Page 18 - september-23

Antique, Vintage, and One-Of-A-Kind Toys as an Investment

by Charles Snider, Ruby Lane Customer Service

classic story about collectible toys and the market for toys is specific German maker to
often a variation of someone rummaging through their parents’ an antique hand-crafted
Ahome basement or attic looking for a collection of Hot Wheels, wooden toy can be difficult.
Star Wars figures, Jumeau dolls, or antique toy soldiers, only to be told: Jump ahead to the 20th
“We threw those out when you went off to college!” Does any young and 21st centuries collectible
person know that their prized toy may become a prized investment or toys market, and the standards
collectibles a few decades later? for excellence and value have
The market for collectible, vintage, and antique toys is sophisticated, Hand-built 2253 OO-Scale Model evolved. After World War I, the
lucrative, in demand, and a lot of fun. Each year in New York at the Electric Locomotive, 4 1/2” in length. introduction of factory mass-
Winter Show (formerly known as the Winter Antiques Show) and at produced toys meant that many
the famous Outsider Art Show, one finds dealers toys were identical except, perhaps, for its finish. Makers of Corgi Cars,
with vintage and antique toys, Hot Wheels, and Matchbox cars, made by companies like Disney and
handcrafted, and carved, with a Mattel which sourced the manufacture of many toysto factories in
patina that shows the toy well Taiwan, Japan, or China, still produce collectible and valuable toys for
played with, that now sit under today’s market, with new sets of modern standards.
glass or on pedestals. Future col- Condition - Toy cars, robots, action figures, and other post-war
lectible toys are also introduced toys in unopened, original packaging command much higher prices
during New York’s Toy Fair, than the vast majority of toys without the original packaging. For most
happening this year from collectibles produced in the post-war era, the 1960s, and later, their
September 30 to October 3. Holy Grail for collectors is an example discovered in someone’s attic,
Both famous New York from an old storage locker, or collecting dust since it was stored in its
antique art fairs feature antique original packaging. This is very rare and uncommon as, being toys, they
handmade toys from decades and were often opened, and the outside packaging was discarded. Some of
centuries past right alongside the the most highly-priced toys found in their original packaging were
finest antiques and works of art sourced from places like a warehouse from a closed department store or
priced in the six figures. They all Tin wind-up Linemar mechanical toy shop. There was an example of a rare toy that came to market in
have beautiful patina from being knitting Minnie Mouse. On the back of near-mint condition, still in the original package, and it was credited to
lovingly used, played with, and the rocking chair are the Walt Disney the parents forgetting to
cherished. A new folk art or Productions copyright, the Line-Mar-Toys wrap the toy for a holiday
Japan logo, and the Line Mar Co. Inc.
antique toy would be too good to copyright. 1950s with original box. decades back!
be true. Limited Edition – The
The highest priced and most collectible antique toys are expected to term “limited edition” is
show wear and use, and faded color is acceptable and expected. The often overused today. In
value is derived from the whimsical design of its creator as well as addi- advance of the release of a
tional things that peak the buyers interest such as provenance or a good new toy saying only a set
tale of the toy’s life. The artist is very rarely known as most handmade number will be made can
toys went unsigned. Collectors tend to seek out the most detailed hand- spur the market. Older,
carved toys or the most wondrous and imaginative hand-crafted toys. vintage toys that are limit-
Large wooden antique toys command more value in the collectibles ed edition were produced
market if they are not damaged. Unlike antique works of art and deco- to commemorate an occa-
rative items, toys were not repaired and were cared for less than other sion, or theme, or thepop
decorative or utilitarian objects, because they were toys. A fantastical culture of its time. For
Large antique handmade carved Folk dragon on wheels pulled with a rope is instance, the Corgi cars,
Art model cannon sculpture featuring a more desirable to collectors than a made in the U.K. in the
pivoting barrel that has a spring-loaded horse on wheels (which is still 1960s, were created in the Corgi First Issue Major Toys Set 23:
fillet/knob. Measures 17 1/2 inches highly desirable and collectible). style of James Bond’s Chipperfield’s Circus Models, Boxed
long by 10 3/4 inches tall by Many hand-carved wooden Aston Martins. As each James Bond classic movie was released
9 1/4 inches wide. toys from the 18th and 19th the collectible value increased, especially if they were still in their
centuries may look like they are original box.
German, or possibly Dutch, since the Vintage toys by Disney, while produced in large volume, command
immigrants from Germany, and other higher prices in a very large market of devoted and dedicated collectors,
European countries brought their arti- based on their condition, and if they are still in their original package.
sanal craft to America, and that stylistic While I am sure it still happens, the instances of finding the toys
and design influence on furnitureex- your folks gave away or threw out your box of old childhood toys are
tended also to toys. Assigning a certainly not common anymore!
16 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles