Original 1959 Barbie
Maker: Mattel
Original Price: $3
Today’s Value: $27.450
Dolls were traditionally stuffed toys or babies before Barbie Dolls were invented. Barbie revolutionized the doll market and the industry in general. Barbie, a small doll with unrealistic proportions, evolved each decade with new shoes and careers, and finally new shapes and colors.
Mattel was the first company to show advertising to children. This contributed significantly to the initial sales of Barbie dolls. However, Mattel received criticism for its lack of diversity and gender roles that were polarized. Today, Barbie dolls are very collectible and you can make a fortune if you get a 1959 Barbie.
It is easy to see why this investment has a high return on your investment, considering that the original purchase cost was only $3. As with any collectible, the Barbies that are unboxed and unaltered will command the highest auction prices. A Barbie without missing limbs is not likely to be a popular item.
1927 World Series Ticket Stub
Maker: Major League Baseball
Original Price: $1
Today’s Value: $41,825
The Yankees League’s record-breaking 110-game season was won by Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth in 1927. It also had a remarkable 19-game lead. You witnessed the greatest team ever to play baseball and you can be proud of your attendance at the Series.
You can even get a ticket stub for over $40,000. Collectors take sports memorabilia seriously and this is one great example. It will cost approximately $1 to purchase the tickets initially, which is a very impressive return on your investment.
It is not just about the item but also what it represents. A ticket stub, while a mere piece of paper, is not a significant historical item. A ticket stub is a valuable piece of paper that every sports enthusiast would love to keep in their possession.
The Elvis Presley Board Game (1957)
Maker: Teen-Age Games, Inc.
Original Price: $1.50
Today’s Value: $2.150
Only six of these games are believed to have survived, which accounts for their high price. The Elvis Presley Game is a 1957 game that was described as a “game to the young at heart.” It includes photographs of Elvis being given a copy of his own game on April 5, 1957 backstage at Philadelphia Sports Arena.
The pink-boxed games were a “love predictions” board game. They let you determine who loves you, who will “go steady” and who will marry or elope. Teen-Age Games, Inc. developed the Elvis Presley Game.
Presley would die at 42 just 20 years later. While his death certainly impacted the price of the game, the rarity and collectibility of the item are what drove the price up as collectors sought out the rare item.
New York Yankee Bobblehead 1961-1962
Maker: New York Yankees
Original Price: Unknown
Today’s Value: $59,000
New York Yankee Bobbleheads are very rare. If you know where to look, bobbleheads can be a highly valuable commodity. These cute little guys love being sold for upwards of $5,000, making them a popular collector’s item.
The bobblehead is rare because only two examples were made. Rare collector’s items made from ceramic and paper mache are hand-painted. You could be holding $60,000 if you happen to find one of these 14-inch bobbleheads in good shape.
Finding one in perfect condition can be difficult. For children, bobbleheads may be quite interesting. They might not even understand what “future values” mean. However, they are highly valued (and sought-after) when they do appear at auction.
1959 Pyrex Casserole Dish
Maker: Pyrex
Original Price: $15
Today’s Value: $4,000
Corning, Inc., founded Pyrex in 1915. Initially, it was a line of clear glass dishware that could also be used in the home. Pyrex is versatile enough to bake in the oven, use on the stove, and as tupperware.
Later on, the company would expand its brand and make changes to its design. Since then, vintage Pyrex collecting has become a profitable and popular pastime. The 1959 Pyrex Casserole-Dish is a great example of a vintage Pyrex dish that is still in use today.
Pyrex also announced it would be relaunching “Lucky in Love”, the Casserole Dish, in 2018! Lucky in Love is a popular vintage design. The dish measures one quart and is decorated with four-leaf clovers in green and a green grass garden with adorable pink hearts.
Boy Scout Handbook, First Edition
Maker: Boy Scouts of America
Original Price: Free for Boy Scouts
Today’s Value: $2,200
The value of first editions of classic books will always exceed their original price. People who have money to spend and love history will pay thousands to get a piece of the past. The first edition of the Boy Scouts Handbook published in 2010 by Boy Scouts of America is worth at most $2,200.
The BSH handbook is the official Scouts’ manual. It is a descendant of Scouting, which was written by Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941). The ScoutStuff4Sale.com current edition of BSHis available for sale at $3,500.
This item is essential for any collector who loves to be “prepared” or nostalgic about their troop. Even though not much has changed in this book since its original publication, having the first edition is an awesome way to brag.
Action Comics No.1 Comic Book
Maker: Jerry Siegel, Joe Schuster
Original Price: 10c
Today’s Value: $3.2 million
Action Comic number 1 is the first comic book about superheroes. It featured many superheroes, including Superman. This comic is considered the origin of the superhero genre. It is also the most expensive comic of all time, so it is worth going through your old comic book collecting dust to look for one.
The 1938 cover featured Superman standing on top of a green car and people running away. The first issue sold at an incredible rate, with 200,000 copies being printed. It wasn’t long before they realized that Superman was what made the comic book so popular. They were soon selling over a million copies each month.
Thanks to the efforts of Disney as well as Sony, comic books have grown in popularity. Although a comic book may only cost 10 cents, a newer version could be worth as much as $3.2 million. It’s not a small amount.
