Collectables of yesteryear are some of the hottest money makers in the antique industry of today, so let’s take some time discussing and defining a ‘collectable’.
First collectables to hit the market were items that were included as an incentive to a product purchase for consumers. Much like the ‘free prize inside’ so common today in cereal boxes.
Back then however, this wasn’t just products targeted to children as the market. Collectables that have grown to be future antiques were cigarette cards in a pack of cigarettes UK, or miniature animal statues in boxes of tea. These free incentives soon became a secondary ‘craze’ where the items were sold or traded amongst others with a similar interest.
Savvy marketers caught onto the huge interest of collecting and counselled corporations and manufacturers to focus their incentives into more consistent series - where each item in the series could be differentiated. Think of series of sports cards (UK)of individual players of a team up to the more current example of beanie babies (beanie baby UK)handed out by McDonald’s restaurants. The ‘craze’ heightened as collectors tried to create complete sets of these incentives.
Marketers and corporates soon also discovered that premium prices could be demanded for special runs or limited editions. These higher prices escalated and were mirrored in the secondary after market. Especially so if the initial item was offered in small quantities at launch.
If you’re collecting today with the idea of future antiques, the past may help you choose the best possibilities for the future.
