Antique Toys as Investments
Toy collecting is a relatively recent phenomena in the
United States. It started to get organized in the mid-60's with the
formation of numerous collecting societies including The Antique
Toy Collectors of America, The Mechanical Bank Collectors of
America, and The American Train Collectors Association. The
American Game Collectors Association followed in 1985.
Fortunately, perhaps, for more humble collectors this spectacular
result proved to be a watershed. The recession that started the
90's appeared to temper unbridled enthusiasm and prices have leveled
off. Even so, toy collecting has become one of the top five
collectibles in the USA and the explosion in the market has been
nothing short of remarkable.
Collecting toys for investment is an excellent hedge agaist
inflation. As with all antiques, toy prices can be volatile and it
is possible to inflate and deflate on the same day. A toy can vary
in price depending on the dealer, the buyer, the geographical area
in which it is being sold, and even whether or not it is being
offered in the anticipatory rush at the opening of a toy sale or in
the last desultory minutes before packing up and closing down. All
that aside, Toys steadily keep going up in value.
Attitude counts: Research, research and research some
more: Specialize in selected categories: Buy the best you can
afford:
By the mid-eighties toy prices started going through the roof and
prices realized at landmark toy sales, both in the USA and around
the world, continued to escalate, culminating in the astonishing and
unexpected results of the now famous Perelman Toy Museum sale
in 1988. At this exclusive, special invitation event thirty-six of
the top toy buying elite competed over a collection of 5,000 toys;
which in less than twenty-four hours yielded more than $5m.
How to get started:
Toys are meant to be lived with and
enjoyed so, as with all antiques, buying what appeals to you and
gives you pleasure is sound advice. This does not mean that you
should not acquire a thorough understanding of the value of the
toys in your collection.
To bring you closer to current market values use the
assistance of a current prices from ads appearing in your local
newspapers, study toy sale catalogs and keep in touch with local
dealers.
Do not spread your interest too widely. Determine the direction your
collection is going and specialize in those categories you think
will give you most enjoyment.
Safeguard the growth potential of your investment
by buying toys that are priced according to rarily and condition.
Mint or near mint condition is best. Toy collecting is meant to be
fun but be warned it can become addictive!
Toy Gallery | Collecting | About | New | Links | E-mail