Anybody Collect Vintage Matchbox Cars?

Wilhelm · 02-18-2020, 12:41 AM

I'm just curious if there is still any market for pre-1970 Matchboxes these days. There are some more still in storage but this is most of them. I'm sorry these pictures aren't the best but it's night time and I took them on the fly. Still, you should get the idea. These range from 1953 ( I think) to 1969.

All are mint in box:

And when I say "mint in box" I mean absolutely as new as when they left the Lesney factory in England so many decades ago. These poor things never saw the love of a child. Instead of creating memories, they just sat in boxes for over half a century.

I know stuff like this is generational many times but I also know that some things seem to transcend generations. Anywho, any real monetary value here? I was looking around at some of the "value guides" listed online but nothing is better than hearing first hand from actual collectors.

These are just one very small part of a huge collection of toy cars and Lionel trains that were collected by a family member over a lifetime. Now he is in a nursing home and everything is being moved to climate controlled storage. It's so sad that a lifetime of collecting ends up fodder. If it weren't for me, this stuff would be in the trash. SO sad.

Thank you for any feedback.

calibrator · 02-18-2020, 10:23 AM

I have a friend that is often called on to help an estate liquidate vintage cars/parts. Toys and related literature are often included. A recent one had a large collection of vintage commemorative liquor bottles still in boxes. (yeah Tom, that's Ed)

Often this kind of thing is just sold as a lot to a dealer that specializes in the genre. Way below an actual value most times.

If you have the time, inclination and skills to post this stuff on Ebay, you'll do the best for $$$. I was gifted a collection of more modern collectible toys, and was impressed by how much they made when put in a bidding war. There are people that will broker your collection on Ebay. They will photograph, describe, post and ship items. They usually take 1/2 the sale price, (not including shipping), and give you a printout of the result.

Mac Cat · 02-18-2020, 08:09 PM

You should contact the Antiques Roadshow !
These are fabulous !

flydive · 02-19-2020, 04:38 AM

Very nice collection.

Do not know if you can get it there but Model collector magazine publishes a good price guide every year(it's on pocketmags as well)

Have a look here too

https://www.toymart.com/toy-price-guide.php

Some good money there I would say.

Jim Mac · 02-19-2020, 10:02 PM

I was having de ja vu, seeing this post. I'm on the other forum too. I bet ebay would be the best place to find a comparable value.

02-18-2020, 12:41 AM	#1
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 358 Thanks: 45 Thanked 125 Times in 59 Posts	Anybody Collect Vintage Matchbox Cars? I'm just curious if there is still any market for pre-1970 Matchboxes these days. There are some more still in storage but this is most of them. I'm sorry these pictures aren't the best but it's night time and I took them on the fly. Still, you should get the idea. These range from 1953 ( I think) to 1969. All are mint in box: And when I say "mint in box" I mean absolutely as new as when they left the Lesney factory in England so many decades ago. These poor things never saw the love of a child. Instead of creating memories, they just sat in boxes for over half a century. I know stuff like this is generational many times but I also know that some things seem to transcend generations. Anywho, any real monetary value here? I was looking around at some of the "value guides" listed online but nothing is better than hearing first hand from actual collectors. These are just one very small part of a huge collection of toy cars and Lionel trains that were collected by a family member over a lifetime. Now he is in a nursing home and everything is being moved to climate controlled storage. It's so sad that a lifetime of collecting ends up fodder. If it weren't for me, this stuff would be in the trash. SO sad. Thank you for any feedback. __________________ translatedfrenchmanuals@yahoo.com I promise to be nice and play well with others

02-18-2020, 10:23 AM	#2
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 315 Thanks: 55 Thanked 242 Times in 92 Posts	I have a friend that is often called on to help an estate liquidate vintage cars/parts. Toys and related literature are often included. A recent one had a large collection of vintage commemorative liquor bottles still in boxes. (yeah Tom, that's Ed) Often this kind of thing is just sold as a lot to a dealer that specializes in the genre. Way below an actual value most times. If you have the time, inclination and skills to post this stuff on Ebay, you'll do the best for $$$. I was gifted a collection of more modern collectible toys, and was impressed by how much they made when put in a bidding war. There are people that will broker your collection on Ebay. They will photograph, describe, post and ship items. They usually take 1/2 the sale price, (not including shipping), and give you a printout of the result.

02-18-2020, 08:09 PM	#3
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 728 Thanks: 2,092 Thanked 608 Times in 328 Posts	You should contact the Antiques Roadshow ! These are fabulous !

02-19-2020, 04:38 AM	#4
flydive User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Switzerland Posts: 63 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 23 Posts	Very nice collection. Do not know if you can get it there but Model collector magazine publishes a good price guide every year(it's on pocketmags as well) Have a look here too https://www.toymart.com/toy-price-guide.php Some good money there I would say.

02-19-2020, 10:02 PM	#5
Jim Mac User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 261 Thanks: 2 Thanked 67 Times in 35 Posts	I was having de ja vu, seeing this post. I'm on the other forum too. I bet ebay would be the best place to find a comparable value.