Toys Can Make You Some Serious Money
Depending on your toy collection, you could be sitting on an absolute gold mine. Most of us abused our toys and did really worry too much about their future value, but some people did, and were very careful with theirs. 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. Those people selling the toys had most often inherited them from their great grandparents or found them hidden away in an attic or shed.
Jake Fenchurch of the Society For Antique Toys has given his suggests regarding the occurance of the record prices. He suggests that because most modern toys are electric, plastic and mass produced, there is no longer the production of higher quality, handmade toys that last a lot longer.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 cherished 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.
