collectibles

COLLECTIBLES
What stays and what goes
As the kids get ready for college, it's a good time to clean out their childhood clutter. But what's likely to be valuable someday, and what can you get rid of? Collectibles experts Ralph and Terry Kovel recommend keeping these items:
Classics that mark the beginning of a new type of toy, including such video games as Pong, Super Mario Brothers and Pac-Man and hand-held electronics such as the Nintendo Gameboy.
Unusual Barbie accessories such as the Barbie record player or dentist's office chair.
Lunch boxes, especially those that depict popular TV or movie characters.
Small-scale furniture, especially from modern designers such as Herman Miller. Many of the items sold now at Target will be valuable someday because they were created by big-name designers including Cynthia Rowley, Todd Oldham and Isaac Mizrahi, the Kovels say.
Girl Scout or Boy Scout items, political buttons, character-themed Christmas ornaments or Halloween costumes, Disney memorabilia, fad jewelry, cereal boxes featuring sports figures, Coca-Cola items that are tied to a memorable event or are limited-edition items, and movie- or TV-themed glassware or dinnerware.
What to pitch: obsolete electronics, Swatch watches and T-shirts, except for mint-condition shirts from popular concerts, protest marches or other datable events.
Source: Knight Ridder Newspapers