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While traditional investments like stocks, real estate, or cryptocurrency may be more conventional, some collectors have embraced vintage toys as a unique, engaging, and potentially lucrative asset class. For many enthusiasts born in the 1970s and now reaching their mid-40s, these childhood treasures not only serve as nostalgic reminders but also offer unexpected returns.
Lau Teck Kheng began selling vintage figurines alongside fris at a weekly Sunday market in Singapore back in 2005 while holding down his full-time job as a technician. As the sales attracted growing interest from customers, he seized an opportunity to convert his passion into a full-time business venture.
Many of us born in the '70s didn't have unlimited resources for toys when we were young, explns Lau Teck Kheng. Now that we're entering our 40s with some financial security, it's satisfying to relive childhood memories through collecting.
In 2008, he opened Past Time Collectable, a dedicated store in downtown Singapore. Today, the shop thrives by selling collectibles from popular franchises like Ultraman, Macross, Robotech, M.A.S.K., and Power Rangers, with price tags ranging from as low as $4 to an impressive $3,800.
Dennis Pek, a fervent collector for over two decades, has accumulated more than 2,000 items. Scouring flea markets, online platforms, and shops worldwide, he builds his collection from favorite series like Star Wars and Marvel, among others.
Collecting these items is largely about fulfilling my passion, Pek states candidly. While I've spent around $80,000 on my collection, the true value lies in the enjoyment it brings.
He emphasizes that the investment aspect comes from preserving toys well, ensuring they retn their original condition and are sourced from limited production runs or rare sets.
Chang Yang Fa, founder of MINT Museum of Toys and a private collector with over 50,000 items in his collection, highlights the evolving tastes among collectors across generations. The popularity of vintage toys began to rise at the dawn of the 20th century, he points out.
Today's enthusiasts span from loyal followers of iconic franchises like Marvel or Naruto to passionate fans of niche media such as anime or classic children's television shows. There's a growing market for purchasing nostalgia, with many collectors looking not just for the original toy but also its authenticity and condition.
With companies like Mattel re-releasing classics such as GI Joe, Masters of the Universe, Strawberry Shortcake, and more, there's a fresh interest in these nostalgic items. James Zahn, editor-in-chief of The Toy Book and senior editor at The Toy Insider, discusses how these re-issues connect with vintage toys.
The phenomenon of a product like Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Eternia Playset, originally priced around $100 during its initial launch in the 1980s, now commands an average resale price of $5,000 for items sold in their original packaging. A recent crowdfunding campgn by Mattel to produce a new version set for release in 2024 illustrates how demand for these retro toys continues to escalate.
Vintage toy collecting has grown from being seen as merely an enjoyable hobby into a thriving market where nostalgic passions meet financial potential. From week markets to established brick-and-mortar stores, collectors like Lau Teck Kheng and Dennis Pek have unlocked the value in their childhood treasures, while museums and enthusiasts alike appreciate not only the history behind these items but also their increasing worth.
The future of vintage toy collecting is vibrant with opportunities for both new and seasoned collectors looking beyond nostalgia to find financial returns. This bl of passion and profit showcases the uring allure and potential of vintage toys as an investment space.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/21/toy-collectors-turn-hobby-into-an-investment-opportunity.html
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Vintage Toy Market Investment Potential Childhood Nostalgia Financial Returns Retro Toys as Profitable Assets Growing Interest in Collectibles Generational Connection to Vintage Toys Reissue Toy Demand and Resale Value