What Sells: Vintage Toys
Vintage Toys
Many older toys are quite collectible; some are valued for their beauty or uniqueness,
and others simply because they remind owners of their own childhoods.
What Sells
- Board games
- Cap guns
- Fisher Price “Little People”
- Models
- Robots, spaceships and other
science fiction toys
- Tin toys
- Toy soldiers
- Toys from TV shows
and movies (The Lone Ranger, Lost in Space, etc.)
- Wind-up and battery-operated
toys
Research Resources
The following websites have photos and historical information that can help you
identify and describe vintage toys:
http://www.mrpunchsoldtoys.com/
http://www.neatstuff.net/
http://www.timewarptoys.com/
http://www.vintage-toys.com/
http://www.vintagetoyroom.com/
ttp://wherethetoysare.com/
Online Marketplace Restrictions
Most marketplaces prohibit the sale of BB and air guns; cap guns and most other
toy guns are allowed. Replicas must be clearly marked, usually with a bright orange
plug inserted in the barrel.
Condition
Look for these signs of wear and tear:
- Scratches and scuffs
- Chipped or missing paint
- Tears, holes and creases
in cloth and paper
- Rust on metal parts
- Corrosion from leaking batteries
-
Dents
- Dirt, stains and markings
- Odors (smoke, musty smells from storage,
etc.)
- Broken or missing parts
- Missing accessories
Key Details
Include these details in your listing:
- Brand
- Model name/number (if known)
- Type of toy
- Age (if known)
-
Other descriptive details
- Packaging (e.g., New in Box)
Storage and Shipping
Keep vintage toys in their original packaging in a well-ventilated room, away from
children, pets, smoke and cooking odors. Don’t place items in direct sunlight or
next to heating vents or air conditioners either, since temperature and humidity
changes can cause damage.
Wrap each item individually in plastic to protect it from moisture, bubble wrap
it and place it in a sturdy box in a bed of packing peanuts for shipment to the
buyer.
