As appraisers and auctioneers, it is our job to absorb information like a sponge and recall it on demand. Especially with how quickly trends change and new markets bloom; it can be difficult to know the interest and value unless you always keep your finger on the pulse. Even then, it is impossible to know everything about everything, which is why it is important to never stop learning! In a way, we are like detectives identifying when something has potential and requires further investigation. Little details can take what seems like an average item and turn it into a highly coveted collectible.
Every Tuesday between 9:00 and 12:00 at Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers we offer walk-in appraisals with no appointment necessary. There is no obligation to sell, and we give you an estimated auction value for your items. Recently, we had a gentleman curious what his items were worth in today’s market stop by with an awesome collection. Incredibly, he had 34 of the original 41 The Empire Strikes Back action figures – factory sealed! This isn’t your average basement hoard, so I inquired about how he obtained them…
During the Summer of 1980 he spent his days home from college working in a toy store. Star Wars had shattered the silver screen in 1977, and The Empire Strikes Back was just released in May of 1980. While stocking shelves this gentleman thought it was a good idea (yes!) to buy every Empire Strikes Back character he could before returning to school in the fall. He came close to getting them all, and forty-four years later those same Empire Strikes Back figures walked through our door on appraisal Tuesday.
He took pretty good care of them, too. Of the 34 figures, we sent 18 to Collector Archive Services for professional grading; including: Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, and a brown snake variant Yoda! The Yoda is a super rare find, and while he knew his toys were collectible, he had no idea how extra collectible the snake variant Yoda is. That’s a detail I absorbed like a sponge years ago, and it turned out to be a valuable detail for him – Let’s just say he is very happy he stopped by on appraisal Tuesday rather than selling his collection outright online!!!
The stories we have like this are endless; so many people have unknown treasures stashed away or underestimate their collection entirely! Always remember to never throw anything out before checking for potential value. We hear so many horror stories of people tossing toys into the trash without thinking about collectability. Don’t be that person! Take a few hours out of your Tuesday to bring your items in for appraisal – you never know what you might have.
