How to Collect Toys

Many people that collect toys started their toy collections without even realizing it. It can start when they clean out their attic and find a treasured childhood toy. Others may simply buy a miniature car model, a tiny replica of a car they would like to own and before they know it, they're hooked on toys and find their collection growing. Here's some ideas on collecting toys.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Information about toy collecting

1. Decide what type of toy collection you would like to have. Many toy collectors narrow their collections by category, era, material, price or manufacturer.
2. Check out your local bookstore or an online bookstore to find the right guide for your collection needs.
3. Purchase a price guide for the type of toys that you have decided to collect. For example, there are price guides for specific toys, such as wind-up metal toys, plastic farm animals or Barbie dolls. There are also price guides specifically for antique or vintage toys, or toys of the 1960s. Your local bookstore or an online bookstore will be able to help you find the right guide for your collection needs.
4. Join an online toy collectors group, such as toycollectornetwork.com, to share your love of toys, and your toy collection, with people that have similar interests. This site also has a lot of resources for toy collectors.
5. Learn as much as you can about the type of toys that you want to collect. There are many books available at libraries and bookstores, as well as online guides, that will help him learn the necessary information so that you are a smart toy collector.
6. Browse online auction sites, vintage toy sites and antique and collectible sites to find the perfect toy.
7. Scour local antique and collectible stores, flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales in your area, in hopes of finding just the right toy to add to your collection.
8. Attend toy shows that take place throughout the year, as you hunt for a hidden treasure.

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to display your toy collection is in an enclosed glass case that is not in direct sunlight.
• Ancient toys are very hard to find and are very expensive. Most toy collectors look for antique or vintage toys that date from the mid 1800s to the present.
• A toy collection can consist of only a few toys, or be so large that it fills entire rooms.
• Toys that are in their original packaging have a higher value.
• Never remove any tags that are on your toy collection. Removing tags will decrease the value of the toy.
• Be aware of fakes in the collectible toy market. The best defense is to become an educated toy collector.
• Never store your toy collection in an area that is damp, or subject to extreme temperature changes as permanent damage can result to some types of toys.