Collectible Action Figures - Is About Fun Memories And More MoneySuperhero action figures first stormed the doors of department stores and toy stores nearly 35 years ago. Constructed of various kinds of plastic and clothed in uniforms, costumes and capes G.I. Joe, Superman, Spiderman, the Lone Ranger and others marched, flew and rode off store shelves and into our lives. After short stops under the Christmas tree or at birthday parties, these action figures found their way into toy boxes and playrooms around the world. These action figures did their superhero work of incredible feats, saving scores of lives and neutralizing villains. They accomplished these heroic deeds on lazy summer afternoons and rainy Saturday mornings in front of the TV set. Too often, they also needed our help after school when we were supposed to be doing homework. These superheroes were always our friends and they helped us through our childhoods. They taught us to share, to value friendships and that good will triumph over evil. Perhaps, most importantly, they stretched our imaginations and made us believe that anything was possible. These mighty action figures were invincible to everything but time. Time finally did them in. Or did it? For more and more people, these action figures are returning to superhero status. The Star Trek crew along with Power Rangers, the Star Wars characters and transformers are popping up in offices, dens and family rooms everywhere. These action figures have become collectibles. The most popular of these action figures include G.I. Joe, Captain Action, the Six Million Dollar Man, the Lone Ranger and the Mego line of action figures. These include characters from Super Heroes, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, Happy Days, CHIPs, Monsters and others. There were literally hundreds of different action figures produced during the decades of the '70s and '80s. The action figures come in different sizes. Just as with other collectibles, size, condition, original popularity and whether or not the figure is readily available now all come together to determine price. Prices are all over the board. Some of these figures have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. Others go for a few hundred. Most are in the $10 to $100 range. Action Figures Make Great Collectibles How do you know what to pay? There are a number of sources for current price information for these action figures. One important source is toy magazines such as "Toyfare" and "Lee's Action Figure News". There are also dozens of websites that have pricing information. More good sources are the online auction sites, such as eBay. The auction websites are also great places to buy these action figures. Numbers of these toys are sold on these sites every day. You can determine the condition, see what other people are bidding and then make a bid. The top online auctions are safe places to do business. These action figures crop up in other places as well, just waiting for the opportunity to march into your collection. You can find them in flea markets and sometimes in antique shops. You can buy them from other collectors, at garage sales and estate auctions. There are dozens of toy shows around the country where dealers and individuals buy and sell collections. You will find these action figure toys in every conceivable condition from mint in the box condition to pieces of the original toy. There is a rating system to help collectors determine condition that runs from condition C-1 through C-10. The very best condition is mint in box or mint on card. These toys are in the original box or bubble wrap card. They are in exactly the same condition today as the day they were first packaged. They are, of course, the most valuable. One of the first steps in collecting action figures is to decide which toys to collect. A good place to start is with your favorites when you were a kid. Collections will be more valuable if you have complete sets. For example, you might build a collection of a complete set of the Marvel Comics heroes. Part of the fun is putting these collections together - acquiring hard-to-find figures in a set. The next step is taking care of your collection of action figures. If you are lucky enough to find a toy sealed in the original box or package, leave it in the box. Do not open it. Display your toys on a shelf or in a cabinet where they will be kept dry, out of direct sunlight. You will also need to keep these toys above the reach of your own youngsters. They will be just as tempted to play with them as you were. Finally, enjoy your collection. Owning these action figure superheroes will bring back many of the wonderful feelings of those carefree days before mortgage payments and college tuition bills. The dollar value of your collection is likely secondary to assembling the collection and enjoying its aesthetic value. Even so, your collection will almost certainly become more valuable in time, especially if you can assemble entire sets. These action figure superheroes are reminders of your childhood and will serve to tell your children and grandchildren a little about whom you are and how you learned that good triumphs over evil. Somehow it is comforting to know that Superman, G.I. Joe and the Lone Ranger are still fighting crime and saving lives. About the author: Royce Armstrong is a successful freelance writer with a business and banking background who believes consumers should get the best value for their money when shopping for action figures, superheroes and creative toys.
MORE RESOURCES updated Wed. April / 24 / 2024 The Benefits of Gentler Hobbies Next Avenue The nostalgic crafts that are making a comeback Yahoo Movies UK New restaurant and new crafts store planned for Bradenton shopping center development Bradenton Herald 6 Craft Hobbies Everyone's Talking About In 2024 Country Living UK Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies The Macomb Daily Lancaster Countians win PA Farm Show ribbons for crafts, hobbies, plants, square dancing LNP | LancasterOnline Craft and hobby classes in St. Louis St. Louis Magazine Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being Harvard Health One Tank Trips | AdhDiy Craft Cafe KSHB 41 Kansas City News The Latest Craze in Hobby Crafting: Becoming a 21st-Century Blacksmith The New York Times 8 Craft Hobbies Set To Be Popular This Autumn And Winter Country Living UK Joann fabric and hobby stores enter bankruptcy; post-pandemic craft decline cited - The Mercury News The 20 Most Relaxing Hobbies to Try This Year Country Living UK Joann craft retailer files for bankruptcy St. Louis Post-Dispatch The Alphabetical Guide To Craft Hobbies | A-Z List Of Crafts Country Living UK 4 Craft Hobbies To Try Out This Summer | Best Summer Crafts 2023 Country Living UK Rug Tufting: An Old Craft That's New Again Next Avenue Second Saturday event at Factory attracts shoppers, crafts: in photos Columbia Daily Herald Best new hobby deals for 2024: Lego kits, DIY jewelry making, ClassPass subscriptions, and more Mashable Town Info: Learn a new hobby with the BWG Library BradfordToday National Craft Month - March National Day Calendar 8 new hobbies to try in the St. Louis area Ladue News Meet Mike Larisey, owner of Maritime Hobbies & Crafts Ltd Downtown Halifax Looking to pick up a new hobby? Indigo Studio is here to help. inputfortwayne.com Craft fairs, Hobby Con in Williams Lake this weekend Williams Lake Tribune Cobblestone Crafts listed for sale after four decades for $679K HollandSentinel.com The Heritage Crafts On The Brink Of Extinction Country Living UK London Named UK's Craftiest City | The Most Creative Areas Country Living UK Where to try new hobbies in San Diego County in 2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune The Best Craft for Each Zodiac Sign Best Life Katie McAllister has a multitude of hobbies that all correlate to crafts The Central Trend Best craft classes for adults in Los Angeles Los Angeles Times Bored at home? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby CNN Underscored West Virginia Hobbies & Crafts: A 25-year success story Huntington Herald Dispatch Leny Handy Crafts: How a hobby became a business Manila Bulletin Business Intel: Crossroads Hobbies and Crafts Roanoke Times Handicrafts and hobby store giant Milbby to open its first branch in the province on the Costa del Sol Surinenglish.com Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive (Published 2019) The New York Times Yo! Easter offers skills, sports and hobbies for everyone | City Of Wolverhampton Council Wolverhampton City Council How to Keep Hobbies Organized — Using the Kit Method for Hobbies Apartment Therapy Best craft kits for kids that could inspire a new hobby Evening Standard 10 Hobbies That Earn You Money The Times of India 20 Summer Hobbies You Can Start Today The Everygirl Hobbies and Crafts Theme Cruises Cruise Critic Hobby Lobby vs. Michaels: Which craft store is better? Business Insider 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time Good Housekeeping The 16 biggest controversies in Hobby Lobby's five decade history Business Insider Business Intel: Salem Hobby Shop Roanoke Times Lost trades: The industrial origins of crafts and hobbies National Science and Media Museum Druid City Makerspace offers room for people who create arts, crafts Tuscaloosa Magazine Arts and Crafts Are Experiencing Surge in Popularity Amid COVID-19 Smithsonian Magazine 103-year-old-Columbia woman stays active through crafts and community Columbia Daily Herald Nobel prizes most often go to researchers who defy specialization – winners are creative thinkers who synthesize ... The Conversation After 40 years, Herb's Hobbies & Crafts closing The Intelligencer Pitman craft store closing after 48 years Courier Post Hobby Lobby To Discontinue 40% Off Coupon Curtis Tucker
|