Tin Toy

Record Sale Prices For Collector’s 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. It could be argued that we enjoyed ourselves more, but as antique toy prices continue to rise, its the careful ones who are benefiting.

Auction house Vectis has reported that last year the price of toys went up by around 7%, the biggest increase since 2001. Even though you might think people would be watching their spending right now, toy sales at action reached a whopping $14 mil last year. 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.

Another person who has noted the rise in toy sale prices is Sam Williams from the Toy Collectors Union. 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. Don’t get carried away though he advises.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 classic 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.

Schylling ZATHURA wind up tin toy robot (2005)