A Guide to Vintage toys from the 60s, 70s, and 80s
Vintage toys are an exciting find at estate sales across Puget Sound. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
The 1960s
Chatty Cathy
Known as one of Barbie’s strongest competitors in the 1960s, the Chatty Cathy doll was one of the best-selling dolls of the 1960s. She was able to speak by pulling a string on her back.
Original Sale Price: $10-18
Value Now: $50-100
Easy Bake Oven
Easy Bake Ovens were a childhood dream. These fun ovens came in two colors, yellow and blue, and came with a variety of baking ingredients and utensils.
Original Sale Price: $15.95
Value Now: $50-85 with some selling for $300
Light Brite
The iconic Light Brite was launched in 1967, with advertisers boasting was "an amazing new toy that lets a child color with light." It came with 16 pre-printed picture sheets to lay on the box and allowed kids and adults alike to be creative.
Original Sale Price: $6.95
Value Now: $100 – 200
The 1970s
Pez
Did you know Pez was invented as an alternative to smoking? The original dispensers mimic an old fashion cigarette lighter. This sweet treat has a fascinating backstory, which you should check out here.
Pez became wildly popular in the US in 1973, when a new manufacturing warehouse opened in Orange, Connecticut. In 1978 Pez debuts interchangeable character heads made of rubber.
Original Sale Price (the 1970s): unknown
Value Now: Varies widely, with the rarest fetching anywhere from $12,000 - 20,000
Hot Wheels
While they were first launched in 1968, Hot Wheels gained popularity in the 1970s. With numerous models released, these vintage Hot Wheels can be distinguished with the red line that is found on each wheel.
Learn more about Hot Wheels Red Line cars in a recent blog here.
Original Cost: $0.59 (that’s right, 59 cents!)
Value Now: Varies, but commonly ranges from $200 – 400
Star Wars
When the hit movie Star Wars hit theaters in May of 1977, it instantly became a fan favorite. Action figures became wildly popular, but Star Wars merchandise spans from LEGOs to lunchboxes
Some of the original merchandise was anywhere from just 35 cents for a comic to $2.00 for a Boba Fett figurine. That same comic would sell today for $4,000, and the Boba Fett figure sold for $27,000 in 2015.
If you’re looking to learn more about Star Wars memorabilia, check out a recent blog here.
The 1980’s
Rubik’s Cube
This still wildly popular Rubik’s cube was created in the 1970s but became popular in the 1980s. The first person to solve the cube took over a month! Today, the Rubik’s cube competitions can be found across the globe, and many Americans have them in their homes as a fun, but sometimes frustrating, puzzle.
Original Cost: $1.99
Value Now: $300 (still in its original packaging)
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were a staple across American homes in the 1980s. From the iconic dolls to trading cards and everything in between, these adorable dolls are still very valuable.
Original Cost: $24.99
Value Now: Usually but some can fetch $300.
Strawberry Shortcake
Dolls were no doubt popular in the 1980s, but a doll that smelled like actual strawberries could only be found with the beloved Strawberry Shortcake doll. Known for her TV show, books, and accessories, the Strawberry Shortcake doll is a vintage toy hunter’s dream.
Original Cost: $20.00
Value Now: Usually around $50-$100, but rarer toy sets can sell for over $1,000.
If you’re a vintage toy collector, check out our upcoming estate sales! We’d love to see you.
