If you grew up in the 1970s and 1980s and still have any childhood toys hanging around at the back of a cupboard, there’s a chance they could be worth a fortune.
Nostalgia is fuelling demand for toys from this period, with some valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In this article, we list five classic playthings that are worth serious money — if you spent your pocket money on one of these a few decades ago, it might be time to cash in…
My Little Pony: Baby Medley figure (£1,000)
Who could have predicted that a group of colourful, miniature horses with oddly proportioned bodies and strangely human-like eyes would capture the hearts of people all around the world?
It’s a phenomenon that defies all logic. Is it the mesmerising sparkle of their plastic manes? The endless possibilities of customisation with their interchangeable hair and accessory sets? Or perhaps it’s the allure of living in a world where friendship is the most powerful magic of all?
Whatever the reason, if you find a toy with its original packaging and accessories intact, you could be quids in. Take the ‘Baby Medley’ figure for example; well-kept models have sold for just under £1,000 on the second-hand market.
Master of the Universe: Mer-Man figure (£1,800)
Ah, He-Man. The manliest man to ever man in the entire universe (and beyond). With his bulging muscles, flowing locks, and ability to wield the mighty Power Sword, he struck fear into the hearts of evildoers everywhere.
But when it comes to action figures, let’s not forget about the rest of the Masters of the Universe, a ragtag group of rebels fighting against the tyrannical Skeletor. Or in fact the baddie’s own goons. Take Mer-Man, the aquatic enforcer of Skeletor’s evil gang.
This sea-dwelling monster with a fish-like appearance could make you up to £1,900 with packaging and accessories intact.
Star Wars: Millennium Falcon Lego set (£8,000)
The Millennium Falcon. What a piece of junk!
So said Luke Skywalker. But let’s be honest, that’s a piece of junk many of us secretly wish we had in our garage. And most Star Wars enthusiasts would be happy to pay a pretty penny for any sort of memorabilia related to that beloved spaceship.
Take the Star Wars Lego model. In 2018 a rare edition sold for £8,000 — more than 23 times its original value. And these days it remains one of the most valuable Lego sets sold on eBay.
Why is it so expensive? Maybe it’s because of all the madcap adventures it’s been on, from battling the Empire to making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs (which research shows is actually a unit of distance, not time, but whatever).
Star Wars: Boba Fett figure (£188,000)
At the more ridiculous end of the ‘prices paid for a small plastic figure’ scale, we have the Boba Fett toy sold at auction in Pennsylvania in June.
For those who — bizarrely — haven’t seen the Star Wars film franchise, Boba Fett was a notorious bounty hunter with a bounty on his head (how meta).
The toy was pulled from the production line after being deemed a potential choking hazard for children, and it’s believed only around 100 are in existence. Of course, being such a rarity, it’s a hit with collectors and one paid an astonishing £188,000 to take Boba home.
Not bad for a character who had maybe 20 lines of dialogue in the entire Star Wars trilogy.
Hot Wheels Camper Van (£106,000)
Who would have thought that a tiny die-cast metal van with plastic wheels could fetch such a high price? Back in the 1970s, the bright pink ‘Beach Bomb’ version of the VW camper van cost about £1. But it was only available for a short time and as we’ve seen, in the world of toy collecting, rarity equals value.
So, if you happen to come across a Hot Wheels Camper Van in your attic, don’t just toss it aside as a worthless trinket. It could be worth as much as a house! Just make sure you check the date on the bottom before you list it on eBay for an exorbitant price.
Got a rare toy or another luxury item you’d like to raise funds against? Almagrove has 30 years of experience in the industry. Contact us to find out more.