Vintage toys are making a comeback among collectors and your old items from the 1970s could fetch decent sums of up to £1 million in some cases, especially if you are a Star Wars fan.
Original Barbie dolls and vinyl records have caught the eye of passion investors in recent years and now you don’t have to search in a galaxy far far away for a decent financial return.
Star Wars enthusiasts are boosting the auction sector worldwide, said research firm Barnebys.
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Its latest data highlights that the toy collectibles market was valued was worth $19.2 billion (£14.7 billion) in 2023 and could rise to $45.2 billion by 2031.
With the annual growth rate expected to be 10.6% during that period, the sector is increasingly attracting investors and wealth funds, Barnebys said.
Its analysis claims 2024 saw more value in the vintage toy sector than ever before, alongside sports memorabilia, gaming memorabilia, pop culture and 1970s designs.
“During Covid, we saw a huge increase in interest in analogue collectible categories such as toys and board games,” says Pontus Silfverstolpe from Barnebys.
“Since then, interest has both broadened and the price picture has risen dramatically.
“I'm not surprised because the entire auction industry lives off nostalgia, and now a generation raised in the 1970s and 1980s have started collecting retro items from their childhood.”
Star Wars memorabilia is proving to be a key driver of the market due to new TV spinoffs and adults who were childhood fans now having disposable income to invest in their fandom.
In fact, your old Star Wars toys that are now gathering dust in the attic could be worth hundreds and thousands of pounds.
Last year, a former Marvel art director found a rare 1978 Star Wars Jawa figure while unpacking items in his loft and it sold at Excalibur Auctions for £15,000.
But other items could fetch even larger sums.
The market for collectible figurines and merchandise based on anime, manga, films and video games such as from the Star Wars franchise has expanded,
(Image credit: Getty Images/AndresGarciaM)
The most valuable Star Wars collectable toys
Star Wars franchise memorabilia is booming, according to Barnebys.
The auction aggregator said this is helping vintage toys emerge as a serious category among collectible investors, alongside art, ceramics and silver.
A rare 1979 Boba Fett Star Wars action figure sold at a Goldin auction in 2024 for $1.34 million (£1 million) and another went for $525,000 with Heritage Auctions.
The character is a fan favourite after appearing in the Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978 and only around 100 of the toys were produced.
Other popular Star Wars memorabilia includes a stormtrooper helmet from the original film that sold last year at auction for £325,000.
Additionally, a miniature Y-wing Starfighter used in the 1977 original film sold at auction in July 2024 for $1.55 million and Princess Leia’s gold bikini was also snapped up by a fan for $175,000.
Silfverstolpe said the market for collectible figurines and merchandise based on anime, manga, and video games has expanded, with the British toy industry valued at £510 million.
He added: “This growth is expected to continue in 2025, driven by collaborations between collectible artists and major entertainment companies, as well as events like ComicCon.
“Vintage toys is also an especially exciting market because new items are being found all the time – or are coming to the market for the very first time.
“This helps maintain interest and gives investors’ confidence that the sector will continue to grow.”
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Marc Shoffman is an award-winning freelance journalist specialising in business, personal finance and property. His work has appeared in print and online publications ranging from FT Business to The Times, Mail on Sunday and the i newspaper. He also co-presents the In For A Penny financial planning podcast.
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