The 1980s toys from your childhood that are now worth a fortune

By Rob Waugh For Dailymail.Com

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The 80s was a golden age for collectables, with TV shows and movies releasing sought after toys to commemorate iconic characters. And decades later, many of the vintage Star Wars figurines, My Little Pony dolls and themed pinball machines are worth a fortune. Nora Curl, a collectibles expert who appraises up to a thousand items per month, told DailyMail.com that even if items are unboxed and have been played with, people can still sell them at auction.

The 80s was a golden age for collectables, with TV shows and movies releasing sought after toys to commemorate iconic characters. And decades later, many of the vintage Star Wars figurines, My Little Pony dolls and themed pinball machines are worth a fortune. Nora Curl, a collectibles expert who appraises up to a thousand items per month, told DailyMail.com that even if items are unboxed and have been played with, people can still sell them at auction.

A specific 1986 Star Wars figurine out of the packing has fetched $12,500, but He-Man toys that have never been opened are worth even more. 'If you were fortunate enough to have parents who were able to indulge your childhood pop culture lust, some of those toys and gadgets from that era can now translate into big bucks, some 40+ years later,' Curl said. Curl has appraised antiques for decades - and has a specialist knowledge of 80s collectibles as she started collecting them as a child of the 80s herself, amassing hundreds of Garbage Pail kids.

A specific 1986 Star Wars figurine out of the packing has fetched $12,500, but He-Man toys that have never been opened are worth even more. 'If you were fortunate enough to have parents who were able to indulge your childhood pop culture lust, some of those toys and gadgets from that era can now translate into big bucks, some 40+ years later,' Curl said. Curl has appraised antiques for decades - and has a specialist knowledge of 80s collectibles as she started collecting them as a child of the 80s herself, amassing hundreds of Garbage Pail kids.

'The 80s was the height of time for kids to cajole their parents into buying them toys and gadgets. Television shows and movies were at their best and most original, spurring franchises on to create toy and gadget lines to bolster their own bottom lines,' she said. 'Both major motion pictures and Saturday morning cartoons created a product marketing niche that brought on profits for companies and production companies worldwide.

'The 80s was the height of time for kids to cajole their parents into buying them toys and gadgets. Television shows and movies were at their best and most original, spurring franchises on to create toy and gadget lines to bolster their own bottom lines,' she said. 'Both major motion pictures and Saturday morning cartoons created a product marketing niche that brought on profits for companies and production companies worldwide.

1986 Vlix action figure, Star Wars: Even items that are unboxed and have been played with can be sold on auction sites, Curl advised, as the market is driven by 'generational nostalgia' she said. 'A true Holy Grail item is the 1986 Vlix Star Wars action figure, especially if still in original, unopened packaging, that was part of a short lived Droids series,' she explained. The character was a Fromm Gang head of security Male Anoo-dat Blue. 'There were supposedly only 50 made, in Brazil, by Glasslite. Graded, in package examples, have sold for $19,470 - $45,430, from 2018 - 2021. Figures removed from packaging can still bring in $4000 - $12,5000,' Curl said. Other figures such as the Sise Fromme by Glasslite have sold for $1600-$3245 in recent years, Curl said - and plenty of other Star Wars figures, particularly those in original packaging, can still bring in thousands or hundreds.

1986 Vlix action figure, Star Wars: Even items that are unboxed and have been played with can be sold on auction sites, Curl advised, as the market is driven by 'generational nostalgia' she said. 'A true Holy Grail item is the 1986 Vlix Star Wars action figure, especially if still in original, unopened packaging, that was part of a short lived Droids series,' she explained. The character was a Fromm Gang head of security Male Anoo-dat Blue. 'There were supposedly only 50 made, in Brazil, by Glasslite. Graded, in package examples, have sold for $19,470 - $45,430, from 2018 - 2021. Figures removed from packaging can still bring in $4000 - $12,5000,' Curl said. Other figures such as the Sise Fromme by Glasslite have sold for $1600-$3245 in recent years, Curl said - and plenty of other Star Wars figures, particularly those in original packaging, can still bring in thousands or hundreds.

My Little Pony Rapunzel: Many My Little Pony models remain quite sale-able for nostalgia reasons, Curl explained. The toy horses were the vision of Bonnie Zacherle, who grew up wanting a pony of her own. She landed a job at Hasbro and launched the first My Little Pony in 1982 that became an animated television show four years later. 'My Little Pony was a popular toy line and morning cartoon, the Rapunzel Pony has achieved high sales from $1200 to a high of $5879,' she continued. The toy was a rare pink pony with long golden and pink hair that came with hair accessories.

My Little Pony Rapunzel: Many My Little Pony models remain quite sale-able for nostalgia reasons, Curl explained. The toy horses were the vision of Bonnie Zacherle, who grew up wanting a pony of her own. She landed a job at Hasbro and launched the first My Little Pony in 1982 that became an animated television show four years later. 'My Little Pony was a popular toy line and morning cartoon, the Rapunzel Pony has achieved high sales from $1200 to a high of $5879,' she continued. The toy was a rare pink pony with long golden and pink hair that came with hair accessories.

She-Ra Crystal Palace: Adora, known by her alter ego She-Ra, was introduced as an animated superheroine in 1985 and later revealed to be He-Man's long-lost twin. She-Ra road the coat-tails of He-Man's success, becoming an icon for young girls. 'When I was a kid, in the 1980's, I entered a toy store contest to 'invent' a new villain character for the He-Man cartoon,' Curl said. 'I mocked-up a 'Lizard Man', entered it , and won. I don't know if that character came to fruition, though my prize was a He-Man character touch-tone telephone, which I long sold on Ebay about 20 years ago.' But many other He-Man toys are very valuable - a never-opened He-Man Master of the Universe, from 1986, sold in 2018 for $10,000 on Ebay. 'Used sets, with original box can sell for $2000 - $3500,' Curl said. 'She-Ra and her Princess of Power Crystal Palace, in complete condition with original packaging, has brought in $600 to $1,275.'

She-Ra Crystal Palace: Adora, known by her alter ego She-Ra, was introduced as an animated superheroine in 1985 and later revealed to be He-Man's long-lost twin. She-Ra road the coat-tails of He-Man's success, becoming an icon for young girls. 'When I was a kid, in the 1980's, I entered a toy store contest to 'invent' a new villain character for the He-Man cartoon,' Curl said. 'I mocked-up a 'Lizard Man', entered it , and won. I don't know if that character came to fruition, though my prize was a He-Man character touch-tone telephone, which I long sold on Ebay about 20 years ago.' But many other He-Man toys are very valuable - a never-opened He-Man Master of the Universe, from 1986, sold in 2018 for $10,000 on Ebay. 'Used sets, with original box can sell for $2000 - $3500,' Curl said. 'She-Ra and her Princess of Power Crystal Palace, in complete condition with original packaging, has brought in $600 to $1,275.'

Indiana Jones Well of Souls set: Indiana Jones memorabilia changes hands for thousands, Curl explained - particularly unusual or limited edition items. The Indiana Jones Well of Souls action figure set, by Kenner, has re-sold for $1,500 to $2,400, whereas an Indiana Jones pinball machine has a value of $5,000 to $11,000. 'Nothing was more exciting in childhood than going to an Indiana Jones movie,' Curl said. 'I fondly remember sitting in the balcony seats of a 19th century vaudeville theater turned movie house and screaming at every twist and turn of Jones's adventures. 'Once a sound crew came to my town and we recorded the sounds of the yelling throngs for the background of one of those movies. How cool?! Those were the days.'

Indiana Jones Well of Souls set: Indiana Jones memorabilia changes hands for thousands, Curl explained - particularly unusual or limited edition items. The Indiana Jones Well of Souls action figure set, by Kenner, has re-sold for $1,500 to $2,400, whereas an Indiana Jones pinball machine has a value of $5,000 to $11,000. 'Nothing was more exciting in childhood than going to an Indiana Jones movie,' Curl said. 'I fondly remember sitting in the balcony seats of a 19th century vaudeville theater turned movie house and screaming at every twist and turn of Jones's adventures. 'Once a sound crew came to my town and we recorded the sounds of the yelling throngs for the background of one of those movies. How cool?! Those were the days.'

Cabbage Patch Doll by Xavier Roberts: Cabbage Patch dolls, originally called Little People, hit shelves in the late 1970s, but became the most popular toy in 1983. Children adored the pudgy-faced dolls because this was the first time any toy had their likeness. 'Toys of the 1980's would not be iconic without Cabbage Patch Kids,' said Curl. 'I recall the news outlets reporting on the absolute mayhem for every parent to get one for their kids for Christmas and the mad rush during Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving.' She shared that her parents indulged her with doll collecting while they went on antique and auction-hunting weekends. She said, 'My first purchase was an original soft sculpture Cabbage Patch Doll by Xavier Roberts, made at Babyland General. Those original soft sculpture face dolls can now garner up $1000 and occasionally, for rare, very first produced dolls, $10,000 - $15,0000. In 2017, one of their first made dolls sold for $75,000 on Ebay. The rubber face versions, mass-produced by Coleco, even with original boxes, realistically only fetch $50 and under. There are a few exceptions, such as Barbette Briana, with red hair, which sold for $6,481 on Ebay in 2021.

Cabbage Patch Doll by Xavier Roberts: Cabbage Patch dolls, originally called Little People, hit shelves in the late 1970s, but became the most popular toy in 1983. Children adored the pudgy-faced dolls because this was the first time any toy had their likeness. 'Toys of the 1980's would not be iconic without Cabbage Patch Kids,' said Curl. 'I recall the news outlets reporting on the absolute mayhem for every parent to get one for their kids for Christmas and the mad rush during Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving.' She shared that her parents indulged her with doll collecting while they went on antique and auction-hunting weekends. She said, 'My first purchase was an original soft sculpture Cabbage Patch Doll by Xavier Roberts, made at Babyland General. Those original soft sculpture face dolls can now garner up $1000 and occasionally, for rare, very first produced dolls, $10,000 - $15,0000. In 2017, one of their first made dolls sold for $75,000 on Ebay. The rubber face versions, mass-produced by Coleco, even with original boxes, realistically only fetch $50 and under. There are a few exceptions, such as Barbette Briana, with red hair, which sold for $6,481 on Ebay in 2021.

1986 Noble Heart Horse Care Bear Cousin: The popular cuddly plus toy Care Bears mostly sell in a $20 to $50 range, but some rare models can sell for far more. The 1986 Noble Heart Horse Care Bear Cousin has fetched as high as $1,000 to $2,750. The plush toys were created in 1981 for the greeting card company American Greetings. The success led to the creation of toys, books, cartoons and movies- between 1983 and 1987, over 40 million Care Bears were sold.

1986 Noble Heart Horse Care Bear Cousin: The popular cuddly plus toy Care Bears mostly sell in a $20 to $50 range, but some rare models can sell for far more. The 1986 Noble Heart Horse Care Bear Cousin has fetched as high as $1,000 to $2,750. The plush toys were created in 1981 for the greeting card company American Greetings. The success led to the creation of toys, books, cartoons and movies- between 1983 and 1987, over 40 million Care Bears were sold.

1984 large size G1 Series Optimus Prime: The Transformers toy line launched in 1984, followed quickly by comic books and a TV series. Transformers became a huge craze in classrooms around the world, introducing characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron for the first time. 'Whether boy or girl, who was not intrigued, as a toy begging child, with Transformers. Man, those were cool. Flip a few pieces here and there, and your robot turned into a vehicle,' Curl said. From 2019 - 2023, a 1984 large size G1 Series Optimus Prime, with original box, has sold for $15,000 and most recently $41,200 on Ebay.

1984 large size G1 Series Optimus Prime: The Transformers toy line launched in 1984, followed quickly by comic books and a TV series. Transformers became a huge craze in classrooms around the world, introducing characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron for the first time. 'Whether boy or girl, who was not intrigued, as a toy begging child, with Transformers. Man, those were cool. Flip a few pieces here and there, and your robot turned into a vehicle,' Curl said. From 2019 - 2023, a 1984 large size G1 Series Optimus Prime, with original box, has sold for $15,000 and most recently $41,200 on Ebay.

Worlds of Wonder Teddy Ruxpin: Teddy Ruxpin was an early example of an electronic children's toy, which featured a moving mouth and eyes. The craze, however, was the bear's ability to 'talk' via a built-in cassette player, allowing it to tells stories and sing songs. Released in 1985, Teddy Ruxpin cost $70 at the time. 'My Little Buddy, My Monster, Teddy Ruxpin plush toys come to mind. Original, mint in box My Buddy dolls, can now re-sell for $200 - $400, the African American version, $500,' said Curl. 'Worlds of Wonder Teddy Ruxpin dolls have achieved re-sale prices of $500 - $1500.'

Worlds of Wonder Teddy Ruxpin: Teddy Ruxpin was an early example of an electronic children's toy, which featured a moving mouth and eyes. The craze, however, was the bear's ability to 'talk' via a built-in cassette player, allowing it to tells stories and sing songs. Released in 1985, Teddy Ruxpin cost $70 at the time. 'My Little Buddy, My Monster, Teddy Ruxpin plush toys come to mind. Original, mint in box My Buddy dolls, can now re-sell for $200 - $400, the African American version, $500,' said Curl. 'Worlds of Wonder Teddy Ruxpin dolls have achieved re-sale prices of $500 - $1500.'

Real Ghostbusters ECTO-1A by Kenner: The 1984 film Ghostbusters was an enormous hit in cinemas, and sparked spin-offs such as the cartoon The Real Ghostbusters. The Real Ghostbusters was a TV series, but also had tie-in comics and toys - some of which are highly collectible today. 'There are some oddball toys from the 1980's that do bring in a few hundred dollars, those can be Garbage Pail Kids (my collection was 500+ bought piecemeal from a lottery store in Ohio on countless trips with my parents),' said Curl.

Real Ghostbusters ECTO-1A by Kenner: The 1984 film Ghostbusters was an enormous hit in cinemas, and sparked spin-offs such as the cartoon The Real Ghostbusters. The Real Ghostbusters was a TV series, but also had tie-in comics and toys - some of which are highly collectible today. 'There are some oddball toys from the 1980's that do bring in a few hundred dollars, those can be Garbage Pail Kids (my collection was 500+ bought piecemeal from a lottery store in Ohio on countless trips with my parents),' said Curl.

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