What is the history of collecting?

We all have an innate drive to collect and classify things. From early on, one can find examples of collecting and collectibles. During the Renaissance, for example, nobles often had a “cabinet of curiosities” in their home. Within were displayed various objects, often from the natural world. People also collected man-made objects, such as currency or stamps. 

With industrialization, manufacturers began creating items meant for collection. Some examples are baseball cards, toys, and figurines. Often, these collectibles exist in series. Some items are even sold as “collectibles” or “collector’s editions”  in order to bring up the price or to underscore rarity. A secondary market for collectibles arose, as collectors sought to acquire specific items from a series or particularly rare collectibles.

What could be considered a "collectible" item?

It would be almost impossible to compile a definitive list of the types of collectibles, since the field is so broad. Here are some general categories to know. Remember that this list is not exhaustive and there are a great many items that may be considered collectible that do not appear here. 

• Figurines: These are small display items valued for their beauty. Often made of glass, porcelain, or crystal, they may be in the form of animals or people. Some popular figurine manufacturers are Hummel, Lladró, Precious Moments, and Royal Doulton. 
• Toys and dolls: Many dolls or toys have become collectibles. Some well-known examples of collected toys include Beanie Babies, Hot Wheels, Cabbage Patch Kids, and American Girl dolls. There are also vintage collectible toys. These include diecast cars, wind-up toys, and model trains.
• Trading cards: There are many kinds of trading cards. Game trading cards for Pokémon, Yugioh, and Magic: The Gathering have huge markets. Sports trading cards which feature a player and his/her stats are extremely popular as well. Baseball cards are the prototypical sports trading card, and have been collected since the late 1800s. Other sports have followed suit, and one can find cards for football, tennis, golf, basketball, hockey, and many more. 
• Trinkets or prizes included in product packaging: This category of collectible includes items like Pez dispensers, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, Cracker Jack prizes, and cereal box prizes. Many companies have used this kind of marketing campaign to promote themselves, and some of the prize items are now quite rare and may hold value. 
• Matchboxes and matchbooks: The collection of match-related items, or phillumeny, dates from as early as the beginning of the 1800s. The largest phillumenic collection, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, belongs to Steven Smith of the UK, who owns 20,736 matchboxes!

What was the most expensive collectible ever sold?

Over the years, collectibles have brought high prices at auctions. In the world of sports cards, the most expensive card sold is of baseball player Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. His card went for $3.9 million in 2020. 

The priciest Pokémon card sold at auction went for $195,000 in 2019. In 2021, a record was broken for the highest price of a Magic card at auction. The 1993 “Black Lotus” card, signed by its illustrator, sold for $511,100 on eBay.  

The most expensive matchbook ever sold at auction was in 2015, when a buyer paid $6000 for a rare matchbook designed for a 1927 celebratory dinner party for Charles Lindbergh.  

How are collectibles valued?

Collectibles are valued according to several factors, including rarity, condition, age, and category. If a collectible item is rare, it will be more expensive. This could be because it is a limited edition or because it may be one of the last surviving examples of something. For many categories of collectibles, there are limited production runs, and this affects the price of items. 

A collectible’s condition is important as well. An item’s value will be higher if it is in good condition. This includes being free from stains and environmental damage, like bleaching from the sun or musty conditions. The collectibles’s value is also higher if it has not been repaired or had any parts replaced. Generally, alteration or damage will negatively affect the price. However, in some cases, a signature on a collectible can greatly increase its value.

It is important to get an expert appraisal of a collectible, since some manufacturers sell “collector’s editions” or claim that their items are valuable and scarce, when they are not. The 1990s Beanie Babies craze exemplifies the boom and bust market surrounding some collectibles. Experts at Mearto can differentiate between a collectible of real value and one that only is perceived that way because of marketing strategies. 

Finally, a collectible will be valued according to what kind of collectible it is. A manufacturer’s mark or identifying characteristic is important to note. Since there are so many categories of collectibles, it is important to get an expert appraisal to determine your item’s estimated price. Mearto’s appraisers have specialized knowledge about many types of collectibles and will give you an expert valuation of your item.