Vintage toys by decade

Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear was created by Michael Bond and first appeared in 1958. The bear from darkest Peru, in his duffle coat and floppy hat and fond of marmalade sandwiches, has been loved all over the world. That has made a market for Paddington toys, especially from the 1980s.

Plush (soft, stuffed) Paddington bears made by Gabrielle Designs are popular with collectors. They are well made, with a felt hat and duffle coat, and often carry a tag asking you to look after the bear.

Steiff, a German maker of teddy bears, has made several limited edition Paddingtons, often in mohair (a soft fibre from angora goats) and in small numbers. A Steiff bear carries the maker's mark, a button in the ear, which helps show it is genuine. Limited editions made for anniversaries or special events add to the interest.

Barbie dolls

Barbie has been in toy collections for decades. The recent Barbie film renewed interest in the vintage dolls, especially those from the 1960s and 1970s.

Skipper and Midge, two Mattel dolls from Barbie's world, are popular. Collectors value them for their history, their craftsmanship, their hairstyles and their fashions, which show the trends of their years. They give a look at how Barbie's world grew.

Two other dolls stand out. Totally Hair Barbie from 1992 is known for her floor-length hair and colourful clothes, and appeals to anyone who remembers the 1990s. Malibu Barbie from 1971, with her sun-kissed look and beachwear, reflects interest in the many styles Barbie has had.

Lego

Retro Lego shows how long the brand has encouraged play with imagination. Space sets from the 1970s and 1980s, and the classic city and castle ranges, are particularly liked.

Older sets are simple and flexible compared with the narrower, film-linked sets of today. For many people they stand for building with no limits, which is harder to find in the digital age. A collection of vintage Lego often holds sets from several themes, showing how the design and the way it was sold changed over the years.

Tamagotchis, digital pets and the Game Boy

In the 1990s Tamagotchis and other digital pets caught the attention of children and adults with simple but hard-to-put-down play. Now many collectors look for the original models. Giga Pets are returning too, both as collectables and as toys for children. These pets came before today's mobile games, so owning one is like owning a piece of digital history, and for a child it is a new way to play.

The Game Boy was Nintendo's handheld console, introduced in 1989. It became a cultural icon and let a generation play games on the move. The original and later versions, such as the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, are valued by collectors for being durable, simple and backed by a large library of games.

Collectors look especially for limited edition models, boxed consoles in mint (as new) condition, and rare games. New releases of classic games and nostalgia for retro gaming have added to the interest.

Other vintage toys

A few more toys are coming back into favour.

Action figures. From G.I. Joe to Star Wars, figures from the 1970s and 1980s are sought after. Collectors like those still in their original packaging or with rare accessories.

Cabbage Patch Kids. These soft dolls with chubby faces were a sensation in the 1980s. Collectors like their look and the excitement when they first came out.

Fisher-Price. Classic toys, especially those made of wood or with moving parts, such as the Chatter Telephone and the Little People sets, are liked for their simplicity and for memories.

Disney plush and figures. These include the original Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush dolls of the 1930s, made by Charlotte Clark, and the Tipp & Co. Mickey Mouse Motorcycle, a tin wind-up toy made in Germany in the 1930s.

Why old toys last

The appeal of a Paddington bear, a vintage Barbie or the click of Lego bricks is much the same: memory and craftsmanship. If there are old toys in the attic, or you are thinking of starting a collection, it is a good moment to look at them again and see what you have.