Art & Antiques with Dr. Lori Verderame
The vintage toy market is emotional, to say the least. One reason why collectors remain committed to collecting toys associated with childhood is based on memories. With the Presidential campaign of 2024 ending, collectible objects associated with the race for the White House are at their height of popularity. Toys associated with play and politics are bought and sold to keep the candidates in front of voters’ minds. The widespread media coverage of political campaigns represents a fabulous opportunity to sell the stuff that goes along with running for office. From bobbleheads and action figures to coloring books and Ty Inc. beanie babies, political objects are all the rage now.
What’s hot? Political campaigns have rejected the idea of giving away functional item to inspire voters like buttons and signs. Sure, these are available, but after the campaign ends, these are not the objects that resellers or collectors are looking for. What are they looking for? The items that hold their value in the political collectibles market are items like the George W. Bush jack-in-the-box, John Kennedy /Lyndon Johnson cigarette lighter, Mitt Romney bobblehead toys, Bill Clinton soft plush pillow dolls, Donald J. Trump coloring books, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton action figures.
For example, a pair of Ty Inc. Beanie Babies stuffed plush toys are collectible and have a political connection, too. The pair of beanie babies are a red, white and blue stuffed donkey named Lefty to represent the Democratic party and an similarly patriotic colored elephant named Righty to attract Republicans to the collectible stuffed toys.
These Beanie Babies toys were first manufactured in 1996 for the Presidential campaign between President William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton and Republican hopeful Bob Dole of Kansas. The Ty Inc. company continued to produce Lefty and Righty stuffed beanie babies toys for the Presidential campaigns in 2000, 2004, and 2008 which were marketed to collectors. Today, there are millions of the small stuffed toys with cute names available on the market. Those that are not on the market are, and I know this from the numerous video call appraisals I conduct to evaluate the Ty Inc. beanie babies toys, safely stored in plastic tubs located in attics, basements, and storage lockers worldwide. These red, white, and blue stuffed animals from nearly 20 years ago are among the pricey offerings on online platforms like eBay.com and Etsy.com, auction websites from estates all over the US, and social media pages like Facebook, Instagram, etc. In addition to the Lefty and Righty beanie babies toys, Ty Inc. also manufactured a set of three mini beanie babies called the political trio of teeny beanies including Lefty (donkey), Righty (elephant), and Libearty (white bear). Find them in their original packages with their tags intact and you’ve got some valuable election toys.
Want to sell or trade your political collectibles? List them online no later than October 15 to ride the intense press wave of any political season. To attract buyers to your listings, make sure you tell the backstory of your political playthings, post tightly cropped photographs with no hands or visual distractions in the background and include an interesting anecdote about the Presidential candidate or about the current campaign. Answer comments and questions in a timely manner. Use this time to market your online political collectibles well before election day arrives. If you need more selling tips, check out my videos about how to sell for top dollar. Political beanie babies are all the rage now as we select our next White House resident.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide on her Antiques Appraisal Comedy Tour. She appears on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars do America and on Netflix’s King of Collectibles show. Dr. Lori appraises beanie babies and art, antiques, and collectibles via her website services. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, watch videos on www.YouTube.com/DrLoriV or call (888) 431-1010.