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The most popular collectibles can change over time, but a few items will always be worth hanging onto, as they are universally popular and timeless.
- Vinyl records
While CDs seem to come and go, vinyl records will always be highly sought-after. In fact, in recent years, they're enjoying something of a resurgence in popularity. In particular, records from the 1980s have become highly collectible.
In 2020, sales of records exceeded CD sales for the first time in around 30 years. According to data from Nielsen, sales of vinyl rose by 51% to 41.7 million between 2020 and 2021, while CD sales increased by only 1% to 40.6 million. This is incredible in an era when modern technology enables streaming and downloading.
Keep your records in top condition by storing them in their jackets in Really Useful boxes. Always clean them gently before putting them away.
- Comic books
Comic books, especially the older ones, are particularly susceptible to age-related damage. The paper can become brittle, go yellow, or tear easily. If kept in damp conditions, it can become mildewed. Any of these defects can reduce the value of comic books significantly.
Of every collectible item, storing comic books properly is probably the most important part of maintaining their value. The main rule of thumb is not to read through them too often. Always handle them with care and with clean hands.
The most valuable comic book in history was sold for £2.73 million at auction in September 2021. The 1962 comic, Amazing Fantasy No 15, featuring the debut of Spider-Man, was originally sold in the US for just 12 cents. The previous record of £2.46 million was for Action Comics No 1, dating from 1938, when Superman made his debut.
Comics should be stored in individual plastic wallets and then organised in Really Useful boxes, or in airtight boxes, to keep them in the best condition.
- Coins and currency
Some specific coins can be extremely valuable, but bear in mind it's unlikely those old pennies you have in your piggy bank will be worth millions. If you come across a really expensive coin out of the blue, make sure you take good care of it.
The most expensive coin ever sold at auction was a Double Eagle coin dating from 1933, with a face value of $20. It sold for £13.3 million at Sotheby's in New York on 9th June 2021. The coin depicts Liberty on one side and an American eagle on the other.
Coins and currency can be kept in holders or albums and stored in airtight boxes to keep them in the best condition. Humidity can seriously damage copper and silver coins, as they react chemically. An airtight storage box is essential to stop water vapour from seeping in and causing damage.
- Stamps
There are an estimated 22 million stamp collectors worldwide, according to research by the Australian post office. The hobby combines a love of history with a love of art, as stamps tell us a lot about their country of origin and its political and social atmosphere.
The most valuable stamp in history went on display in London in November 2021. Only one specimen of the British Guiana 1c Magenta stamp, dating from 1856, is known to survive. It was sold at auction in the US in 2021, to British stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons, for a record-breaking £6.3 million. He put it on display back at his London store.
Humidity and water are the enemies of stamps, so store them in a good quality stock book or album. While both will protect your stamps, an album is specially printed for a time period, country or theme. It features dedicated spaces, often with text, making it easier to organise your stamps. A stock book is a blank canvas, where you can organise your stamps as you please.
Keep them in boxes for organisation and better protection against moisture.
- Trading cards
Trading cards come in many different types, with sports cards being the main example, such as football, baseball and basketball, although there are plenty of game cards and entertainment cards as well. Collecting them has been a kids' hobby for generations.
A typical sports card has a picture of the athlete on the front and a list of their statistics on the back. The most valuable sports card, which sold for a staggering £5 million in August 2021, is Card T206 SGC 3, featuring baseball player and manager Honus Wagner, of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In February 2022, a badly damaged example of the card, with around 50% missing, sold for £360,800 at auction. The cards were issued with American Tobacco Co cigarette boxes between 1909 and 1911.
Like comics, trading cards are fragile paper collectibles that can be organised and stored in Really Useful boxes to keep them moisture and dust-free.
- Dolls and toys
If you collect dolls or toys, the chances are you'll own dozens of different examples. While some modern toys and dolls seem to ebb and flow in and out of fashion, there will always be a steady market for antique toys.
Bonhams auction house of Knightsbridge broke the world record for the most expensive doll by selling a rare Kämmer and Reinhardt German character doll for £242,500 in 2014. The lifelike doll, a young girl with auburn plaited hair and blue eyes, wears a straw hat and white shoes. She is the only known example of this doll.
Storing antique dolls and toys properly is important to prevent them from deteriorating. They should be kept in containers without lids to reduce the risk of mould. Keep them away from natural sunlight and fluorescent light, both of which can cause the costumes and vinyl to fade.
Every seasoned collectible collector will tell you that age plus quality equals higher value – take care of them, and they might take care of you!