How Condition affects value for collectables
Well the obvious answer is the better the condition the more value.
In these days of ebay and shows like Antique Roadshow and American Pickers thou many are buying toys and just leaving them in the package so this is about toys that were pre collectors shows.
“Condition, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When money becomes involved the eye seems to take on an added dimension of X-ray vision or rosy colored glasses….depending on whether you are buying or selling.” Tom Tumbusch
I hate when the packaging becomes more important than the actual toy as in the case of Star Wars characters from the 70’s to the point of packaging become counterfeit and needed to be graded!
Condition does reflect in pricing with “MINT”, like new condition- no scratches, never repaired and free of any defects selling in a top market. If packing is included even more value is placed …if packaging is mint more value added. Mint items are most likely never been in circulation thou I seen items that have never been circulated that are no longer mint due to method of storage, for example dolls stored in box in a plastic tub elastic stringing can rot while in the box. Storage with air circulating is best!
“GOOD” condition is usually and item that is complete and might be listed as mint but has issues such as dirt, creases bends or minor marks or rust. Of course, some complete items with excessive wear are less than good, with excessive wear are listed as “POOR” or only a source for repair parts. The value of poor condition in which items would obviously be less than the lowest price shown. Example the same plane shown above but without box has dropped from Mint to Good thou the plane is almost perfect.
You are more likely to come across toys in “good” condition than “Mint”. Often “very good” or “fine” will be used when condition is minor blemishes. I often see “played” condition which I take as the toy still has it parts but obviously was played with or “loved” not sitting in a box in someones storage.
Can you see the condition difference in these Hubley planes?
Rarity, condition, and the amount of material available in the marketplace all have a direct effect on value. The overriding factor, however, is the number of individuals that wish to acquire any item and the money to satisfy that desire…in other words it can be perfect but if no one else wants the item the value is only to you. This happens often in the art biz more than toys!
