From vintage toys and household items to books and records, these relics of the ’70s have matured over time, much like fine wine, appreciating in both age and value.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Knickerbocker playset
Before Peter Jackson’s adaptation, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy received an animated treatment in 1978, directed by Ralph Bakshi and featuring the voices of John Hurt, William Squire, Anthony Daniels, and others. Alongside the movie, a toy promotion was launched. While the action figures may appear modest by contemporary standards, their value is anything but. A complete set can fetch up to $17,000 according to eBay.
David Bowie’s ‘Diamond Dogs’ album
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
Have a look through your vintage vinyl collection! In 1974, David Bowie launched the Diamond Dogs LP, adorned with artwork depicting a cartoonish Bowie-dog hybrid. The upper portion depicted Bowie himself, while the lower half resembled a canine, complete with anatomical details. Just before the album’s release, RCA opted to avoid controversy by editing out the contentious elements from the artwork. Nevertheless, a few resourceful individuals managed to acquire some of the original, unaltered copies. In 2003, one of these originals fetched $3,550 at auction.
Luke Skywalker action figure
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
Chances are, you probably didn’t own the incredibly rare Luke Skywalker action figure with a double-telescoping lightsaber when you were a child, as there are only 20 known to exist. However, if you happen to be one of the fortunate few, consider heading to Sotheby’s: In 2015, this 1978 Kenner toy fetched an astonishing $25,000 at auction.
But even if you don’t possess this ultra-rare figure, don’t lose hope: Your vintage Star Wars toys could still hold significant value, potentially reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The Sex Pistols’s “God save the queen”/“No feelings”
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
The controversial Sex Pistols signed with A&M Records in 1977, only to be swiftly dropped by the label exactly six days later due to their provocative nature proving too challenging to manage. However, during that brief period, 25,000 copies of the band’s single “God Save the Queen” had already been pressed. Over the years, only nine copies have emerged, rendering these rare records quite valuable. In 2003, a copy with its original paper sleeve fetched £13,000 (approximately $17,600).
Walk Lively Steffie Barbie
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
Do you recall Barbie’s lesser-known friend from the 1970s, Steffie? Despite her relative obscurity, a mint condition Walk Lively Steffie doll still sealed in its original packaging can fetch nearly $800, owing to its rarity and collector appeal.
‘The garden of Abdul Gasazi’ by Chris van Allsburg
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
Your book collection not only offers hours of entertainment but can also serve as a valuable source of additional income. For instance, a first edition of The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, a 1979 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, can fetch nearly $1000 if it’s in “Fine” condition. Moreover, owning a collection of Van Allsburg first editions is quite lucrative. For example, a first edition of Jumanji from 1981 is valued at hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and a signed first edition of The Polar Express from 1985 is worth $2500.
‘One hundred years of solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez
EDUARDO GASKELL
02.27.24
Who would have thought that an exclamation point could hold such value? In certain early copies of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, the first paragraph of the dust jacket blurb contained an exclamation point instead of a period. This minor error elevates the worth of a first edition with the exclamation point to $740. (Even the version with the intended period holds value, fetching about $400.)