TOYS' FORCE WEAKENING? EXPERTS: LUKEWARM OUTLOOK FOR 'STAR WARS' COLLECTIBLES' VALUE IN FUTURE, DESPITE HYPE.Byline: Candice Choi Staff Writer ``Star Wars'' fans are infamous for their holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to knowledge of movie minutiae mi·nu·ti·a n. pl. mi·nu·ti·ae A small or trivial detail: "the minutiae of experimental and mathematical procedure" Frederick Turner. , but legions of them could be hoarding valuable ``collectibles'' that might in fact just be ordinary toys. An ocean of merchandise is already flooding the market in anticipation of the May 19 debut of ``Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.'' Fanatics are squirreling away everything from board games This is a list of board games. This page classifies board games according to the concerns which might be uppermost for someone organizing a gaming event or party. See the article on game classification for other alternatives, or see for a list of board game articles. to action figures to Lego sets, but just what will become a collectible is anyone's guess. ``People come in and think they have something that's rare, but it's actually really common,'' said Derth Obbink, owner of The Flip Side Flip side In the context of general equities, opposite side to a proposition or position (buy, if sell is the proposition and vice versa). , a Woodland Hills store specializing in collectibles and memorabilia. People are often surprised by the offers Obbink makes for their beloved toys; unpackaged action figures that aren't in mint condition
Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase comes from the way collectors describe the condition of coins. might fetch $5 or $6, tops. ``Especially if they don't have their weapons,'' Obbink said. The most coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. items usually weren't meant to be collectibles, said Jeremy Beckett, author of ``The Official Price Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia. The items that appreciate the most are the ones people don't think twice about - such as a Burger King place mat. ``The things that aren't meant to be kept will be most collectible - the really, really disposable items. The things labeled as collectible, people are going to hoard,'' Beckett said. The most valuable ``Star Wars'' item at The Flip Side is a poster for the original movie, which is valued at about $500. Hasbro does not speculate on the after-market value of its merchandise, but certain items are clearly coveted by collectors, said Eric Nyman, Hasbro's director of marketing for ``Star Wars.'' The Wal-Mart Early Bird Special is one example. Wal-Mart is selling an exclusive package of Hasbro action figures reproduced from 1977. Shoppers buy an empty box and send away for the action figures that go inside - just as shoppers did for the original toys. Only 50,000 will be available. Hasbro also developed an exclusive toy for Target, and 50,000 will be made available. The two campaigns mark the first time the toy company is revealing production numbers for particular ``Star Wars'' toys, adding a sense of exclusiveness to the items. But those are just two toys among a sea of merchandise that is already flying off shelves. For the collector, certain items are sure bets. Action figures are always hot currency in the world of collectibles, Nyman said. ``In 'Star Wars' lingo Lingo - An animation scripting language. [MacroMind Director V3.0 Interactivity Manual, MacroMind 1991]. , that's something that's seen as collectible.'' In addition to nostalgic reissues such as the Wal-Mart special, Nyman said fans are excited by new categories of toys, such as a new action figure game called Attacktix. ``People like the things they collected in the past, and they like new patterns.'' Just what will become valuable is anyone's guess. The 12-inch action-figure dolls currently being sold could become coveted items. Since the dolls are fairly limited and expensive, not a lot of people are buying them, Beckett said. They are also only available in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Collector mania affects other toys, including Hot Wheels Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Johnny Lightning and Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco. , GI Joe and Cabbage Patch Kids Cabbage Patch Kids are a brand of doll created by Xavier Roberts in 1978. The original dolls were all cloth and were available at local craft shows, and later at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. . Obbink often gets older men hauling in boxes of old comic books; a box of about 300 will average about $5. ``There's this nostalgic idea that if you put these toys away, they'll make some money one day,'' Beckett said. Now toys are being marketed as collectibles, and they may not turn out to be so valuable, Beckett said. Candice Choi, (818) 713-3634 candice.choi(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Paul Duran of Woodland Hills takes a closer look at a Darth Vader Darth Vader fallen Jedi Knight has turned to evil. [Am. Cinema: Star Wars] See : Evil mask with a voice changer Changer The name given to a clearing member that is willing to assume the opposite position of a futures contract within a larger alternative exchange, of which it also is a clearing member. at Toys ``R'' Us. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News (2 -- color) Derth Obbink stands next to a display of collectibles from the ``Star Wars'' films at his shop, The Flip Side. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion