Collecting Vintage Action Figures

Collecting vintage action figures can be a fun and rewarding hobby. It can also be a good financial investment. Even modern era figures can go up in worth as much 100% in just a year. It’s a great way to recapture some of those childhood memories you have of your favorite old toys. The early 80’s saw a boom in action figure production. Picking one up now can really take you back to a simpler time and place. Collecting as an adult also gives you a chance to get some things you really wanted but couldn’t afford or find as a kid.

The first choice to make is what to collect. The two biggest names in vintage figures are Star Wars and G.I. Joe. Vintage Star Wars figures were made by Kenner from the late 70’s to the 80’s. G.I. Joe 3 3/4″ figures were made from 1982-1994. Next you’ll want to decide if you’ll collect loose or packaged figures. Some collectors just buy both.

MOC (mint on card) and MIB (mint in box) are terms you’ll need to be familiar with. When looking for figures you’ll want to make sure they come with all original accessories. You want to buy ones with solid joints and good paint applications. You can also buy graded figures, but sometimes the high price is hardly worth it.

Once you’ve made some purchases you’ll need to display or store those figures. When displaying figures it’s best to use a case that seals them in. You can use plastic baggies to make sure no small parts are lost. There are also plastic blister packs and acrylic tubes designed to store figures. One cheap alternative is to use clear plastic tackle boxes with 4 inch compartments. Be sure to store them in a cool dry place out of direct light.

Collecting vintage action figures used to be an eclectic hobby that was difficult to get into. Thanks to the internet that’s no longer true. No longer do you have to scour flea markets and garage sales to find collectibles. There’s no need to travel long distances to conventions to buy figures only once a year. These methods may still be good for finding a hidden goldmine, but the internet provides you with easier options. There are dozens of online sites for collectors to talk to each other about their hobby and to trade, buy, and sell figures. You can also learn a lot of valuable information from such sites. Online auction sites such as Ebay also provide an easy way of tracking down specific pieces for your collection. With so many options, today is the best time to start your collection!