Iconic childhood dolls could be worth up to £820 – do you have a fortune hidden in your attic?
BARBIE-MANIA has gripped the globe thanks to the hit movie with Margot Robbie.
But for many of us, Sindy holds the real nostalgic appeal.
She was the most popular doll here for decades — and she’s celebrating her 60th birthday this month, not that she looks her age.
Launched with a 1963 TV advert when The Beatles’ She Loves You was in the charts, Sindy became a huge hit.
More than a million dolls were sold over the following three years and now there is high demand from collectors.
So if you’ve got a Sindy stashed in your loft, it could be worth serious cash.
Collectables expert Tracy Martin says: “Early dolls are desirable but the 1990s Sindy dolls are becoming more sought after.
“It’s often about the clothes. Certain models, like The Trendy Girl and Active Sindy, have a massive following but the outfits can command higher prices than the dolls themselves.
“Unlike other collectors, Sindy enthusiasts don’t tend to be overly concerned with mint condition, as part of the appeal is dressing them up.”
If you’re looking to buy not sell, the largest-ever Sindy collection will be auctioned by Vectis.co.uk on October 12.
Here Lara Kilner gets Tracy’s top picks of the most collectable Sindys as well as toys you can buy now that are most likely to increase in value.
Trendy Girl Walking Sindy
HIGHLY prized 1971 doll has pop-off head for angling and a twist waist. One sold at auction for £820 in 2004.
Marilyn Sindy
RELEASED in 1968 with curly blonde hair and red lips, she can sell from £50 to £300, depending on her outfit.
Weekender Sindy
ORIGINAL doll, dressed by designers Tuffin and Foale, sells on eBay from £50, or more than £200 if boxed.
Sindy’s pal, Gayle
FIRST black doll in 1978, now one of the most valuable. Can fetch £600 boxed and £300-£350 unboxed.
Anniversary Sindy
LIMITED-edition 60th anniversary doll (£89.95) is likely to soar in value and be worth £300 in ten years.
Mitzi
SINDY’S chic, beret-wearing French pal was introduced in 1967. Today these dolls can make £700 in mint condition.
Active Sindy
SHE could do dance poses, and was the first to come with a stand. Collectors pay up to £500 for the original.
1990s Sindy
IN the Nineties Sindy looked more Barbie-esque, but the design then had to be changed, so these can fetch a high price.
Today’s toys that could soar in value
WHEN buying toys with a view to their future value, try to keep them in their original boxes away from sunlight, says Tracy.
She advises: “Don’t keep them in the attic as it gets hot in summer and damp in the winter.
“Find a place that is dry and not too hot.
“Avoid wrapping in tissue paper and ideally put them inside another cardboard box.”
From cuddly bears to board games and more, here are Tracy’s top picks of the toys that could earn you cash in a few years’ time.
Care Bears
THE 40th anniversary bear is worth investing in – it costs £24.99 and will make £75-plus in two to five years.
Disney Haunted Mansion Bride Doll
THESE £120 limited edition toys will easily be worth £250-plus, maybe within a year.
Fisher Price Jurassic World ‘Thrashin’ -Rex
AT £32.99, these preschool toys could double in price over ten years.
Limited Edition Monopoly Games
LORD Of The Rings or Super Mario (£34.99) will be worth double in five to ten years.
Playmobil Star Trek
Includes Captain Kirk and Spock. This £19.99 collectors’ set should treble in price in five years.
Hasbro Furbies
Priced between £65-£75, they should double in value in five to ten years.
One Piece Pop Vinyls
THE dolls from manga series One Piece, from £12.99, could rise to hundreds of pounds in a few years.
Ledo Advent Calendar
THE £29.99 retail price could double in two to three years.
Scalextric Batman Vs Joker
OUT soon, price £129.99. Expect 50 per cent rise in five to ten years.