Vintage toys Stamp collecting is great and many people already have valuable collections, but sometimes a selection of more bizarre items make more cash. Shrunken heads, that gruesome trophy discovered by British explorers in the 1850s deep in the Amazonian forest, now change hands for around £5000, for example. The trick is to spot the next trend and buy in while it is still largely unnoticed. Everything has its day – even the unloved, brick-style, Eighties mobile phones became valued collectors' items.
Stamp collecting is great and many people already have valuable collections, but sometimes a selection of more bizarre items make more cash. Shrunken heads, that gruesome trophy discovered by British explorers in the 1850s deep in the Amazonian forest, now change hands for around £5000, for example. The trick is to spot the next trend and buy in while it is still largely unnoticed. Everything has its day – even the unloved, brick-style, Eighties mobile phones became valued collectors' items.
Box clever. As a rule of thumb, collectables that have been kept in the box in pristine condition always command the highest price. If they've never been played with it doubles their value. So, while it might be tempting to let your grandkids loose on the original 1959 Barbie with her cute black and white swimsuit, leave her in the box! She's worth £8,000 in mint condition. (If you want to check if your Barbie is the real deal, check her feet. The first Barbies had holes in their feet to set her on a stand. The stands disappeared the following year.)
Store with care. Consider carefully how you store your treasures. They may look great on the bookshelf or hanging from a wall, but it is a temptation for people to finger them and direct sunlight can help packaging deteriorate at quite a rate. Keep them tightly sealed in a dry, dark place. Antique maps, for example, can sell for up to tens of thousands if they are in good condition.
Beware of fakes. Internet auction sites and car boot sales are great places to search for bargain collectables, but keep your wits about you because ‘authentic’ goods are not always what they seem. Remember the old adage that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It is sometimes better to pay slightly over the odds with a reputable dealer, because at least you know what you are getting.
Ignore modern 'collectable' collectables. There is no real value in the short or medium term of buying goods manufactured to be 'collectable', such as replica signed football shirts or celebration medals. It could be years before they appreciate in value – if they ever do. Generally, with collectables, although different items are in vogue at alternative times, the rule is the older the better. World Cup football fans please note; if it is possible to tear yourself away from the TV in the coming weeks, look for any souvenirs in the attic of when your country last won the tournament. If you succeed, you might be celebrating a very valuable collection indeed.
Written by Teena Lyons, this article was first published on June 2, 2010. Teena's opinions are her own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.