Every few years a new collectible item seems to amass a cult following and then slowly disappear to be replaced by a newer item. There is no doubt that there is an excitement to seeking certain collectibles and mystery items, each with its own unique qualities. What made these collectibles rise to popularity and amass such a large following?
Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies are one of the older collectible items, but the small stuffed animal still can be found among generations of toy collections and in thrift stores, proving the impact it once had.
The rise of Beanie Babies occurred in the late ’90s and had a chokehold on consumers across the country. Unlike other collectible stuffed animals and toys on the lists, the cute animals with fun names were not the main selling point that made them fly off the shelves.
Beanie Babies seemed to be the “golden ticket” item of the ‘90’s. What makes any collectible item valuable is of course the scarcity of the collectible. TY, Beanie Babies’ company, took action in making certain animals more scarce and valuable, by retiring certain series of Beanie Babies.
The strategy utilized by Beanie Babies creator Ty Warner led to him becoming a billionaire, as Deseret News claims.
“Through unconventional business tactics, such as refusing to sell his products to Toys “R” Us or Walmart, limiting Beanie availability and giving each plush toy a name and birthday, Warner had the world convinced that his stuffed animals would one day be worth more than gold,” the article reads.
This marketing strategy made the stuffed animals more popular and sought after than ever, making eBay the main place to resell and bid on the toys.
As time went on, the Beanie Babies craze died down as newer toys entered the market. While the collectibles are no longer selling for the insane resale prices that Beanie Babies were in the late ’90s, the cute animals remain a classic collectible.
Squishmallows
Being a more recent collectible craze, Squishmallows can still be found in many stores and collected.
Squishmallows can be described as collectible plushies, all possessing unique names and backstories. There are several different series of Squishmallows to be collected, ranging from plushies that resemble delicious food items to favorite animals. And if one has a favorite cartoon character, it is reasonable to assume there is a Squishmallow of it.
The plushie was launched in 2017 by Jonathon Kelly of Kelly Toy Company and gained popularity for its unique look and comfort.
While the Squishmallow craze does not compare to that of Beanie Babies, there are still characters which are sought after by collectors.
According to an article by Toy NK, Jack the Black Cat is considered to be the rarest Squishmallow in existence. Jack the Black Cat can be found reselling on sites like eBay for as much as $2,000.
Three one-hundred dollar bills spread out
“[Jack] likes to jump in and out of boxes, and build forts with his friends, Hoot and Wendy. Only 500 were ever made and sold to stores, making this Squishmallow incredibly sought after by collectors,” Toy NK said.
While the huggable plushies remain in the public eye, there is no doubt that Squishmallow’s height of popularity has passed.
Jellycats
Jellycats are one of the few collectables that have remained resilient through years of new stuffed animals and toys entering the market.
Many remember the stuffed animals as a childhood toy, so there is nostalgia for the current generation of young women who are purchasing these items.
The small stuffed animals, resembling a range of items such as food, plants and animals, have been on the market since 1999. The original Jellycat is named Jack Jellycat, a black and white cat crowned with a special Jelly hat that symbolizes joy, according to Jellycat’s website.
The company has also been able to expand the brand into unique avenues. Many recognize the Jellycat Cafe, which has become a popular place to visit because of the cafe’s social media popularity.
The diner in New York gives customers a unique experience of ordering food-themed Jellycat plush, in restaurant fashion. The employees make sure to lean into the diner experience for customers as Jellycat fans order favorite items.
With Jellycat’s adaptability to a changing market and audience, it seems the loveable collectibles are here to stay.
Sonny Angels
As one of the more recent trending collectible items, some may be surprised to hear that Sonny Angels have been around for quite some time.
The small baby figurines were launched by Dreams, a Japanese company, in the early 2000’s. The figures resemble adorable cherubs, packaged up in a “blind box” so that consumers are surprised by what design is inside.
The mission for Sonny Angel’s creation is one that is still being carried out to this day, as the primary audience remains young women.
“Sonny Angel, a little angel boy who wears headgear, will continue to watch over you, give healing and give more smiles to all of us in the world,” Sonny Angel’s website reads.
As the figurines have remained on the market for so long, much like Sonny Angels, social media has made the cherubs more popular than ever, becoming a hot item to collect in large quantities.
With figurines, collectibles and blind boxes becoming such trendy items through social media, there is room for many collectibles on the market. The question is, how long can the collectible keep the attention of the audience?