FRANKENSTEIN SPEAKER HEAD...US $4,650.00

[Count Zachula]

I saw a decently priced repro at Monsterpalooza. I think it was $100. Would love to see someone do customs of the other monsters too! Creature would look bad ass.

[lovemesomemonsters]

I figured that frank with box was going to go at auction between $4 and $5k and was right..I've spoken with the seller at length about the Frank head and the collection as a whole. It was enjoyable talking with him.

As far as a long-term investment? Not sure about that. These toys hold a special place for Boomers, not Gen X, Y or certainly Millennials. And those (us) Boomers are aging, moving to retirement years. For many, that will mean a much more limited income. I personally think we're at the apex of the value of these Monster toys as Boomers discretionary income as a whole is probably going to go down, not up.

So when I buy, it's for value - but acknowledging to myself its not an investment but rather for my joy today.  I also collect Schwinn Stingrays and Krates...I've rid myself of most of these seeing that market decline after the recession and noting the Boomer enthusiasts starting to wane. And I think part of that is older age enthusiasts with less $$ to spend on this stuff.

Very similar situation imho.

[Hepcat]

As far as a long-term investment? Not sure about that. These toys hold a special place for Boomers, not Gen X, Y or certainly Millennials. And those (us) Boomers are aging, moving to retirement years. For many, that will mean a much more limited income. I personally think we're at the apex of the value of these Monster toys as Boomers discretionary income as a whole is probably going to go down, not up.

So when I buy, it's for value - but acknowledging to myself its not an investment but rather for my joy today.... noting the Boomer enthusiasts starting to wane. And I think part of that is older age enthusiasts with less $$ to spend on this stuff.

I fully agree. It's boomer enthusiasm that has carried the prices of the toys and other collectibles of their youth to previously inconceivable levels. But that will change as boomers age, and die. The old mantra "Buy what you like, but pay only what it's worth to you" is more than ever true these days.

[Mord]

 I agree. I would never buy anything as a long term investment. This is my hobby and I will always separate it from something as boring as my finances.

[Mcdee]

Same seller Samjo just sold a repo Monster Colors paint set for $365.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AURORA-MONSTER-COLORS-PAINT-SET-IN-BOX-WITH-THE-PAINTS-EARLY-60S-/231512389222?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=E5Dh1tR31gceoPWTgJnZ57L%252BrcU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Mcdee

[horrorhunter]

I fully agree. It's boomer enthusiasm that has carried the prices of the toys and other collectibles of their youth to previously inconceivable levels. But that will change as boomers age, and die. The old mantra "Buy what you like, but pay only what it's worth to you" is more than ever true these days.

Yep, you guys nailed it, Hep and lovemesomemonsters.

As strange as it may seem to some of us the best toy investments will be newer stuff than what we value most highly. '80s toys may be the best at this point, and '70s toys are going to bring bigger returns on investment than our beloved '50s and '60s toys. It doesn't really affect me since I'm not an investor. I just collect what I like and most of that is from the '60s and early '70s. I also love anything new that harkens back to those times, like nice action figures of characters from monster movies of that period (or classics from further back), or some of the cool retro items like that UniMon lunchbox.

[Most Horrible]

Mercy Maud...just make your own custom Frankie head and plop it on your transister radio or iPod or stereo speakers.

-mh

[Monster Bob]

I said the same thing when I could have bought a decent Action Comics #1 for $2000 years ago.

I don't see interest in 60s Monster toys dying anytime soon. Antique toys- 20s Buddy L's, mechanical banks, french dolls, etc. are still highly collected, and original owners (or people who would remember having the stuff as kids) died out fifty years ago. How about 30s Monster posters? That generation is already gone.

The Universal Monsters are pretty set in American Pop Culture (as are toys), and will continue to be collected, as evidenced by younger monster collectors today.

Moral of the story? I think when there is only a handful of a certain item around, there will always be a discerned collector interested in owning it.