What Makes Vintage and Antique Toy Makers So Collectible?
Vintage and antique toy makers continue to capture the imagination of collectors, estate liquidators, and families uncovering treasures in attics and basements. These toys represent craftsmanship, cultural history, and the nostalgia of childhood. Many can also carry surprising monetary value—especially if discovered during an estate cleanout.
Below is our list of the top vintage and antique toy makers still prized today. If you’re handling an estate filled with toys or collectibles, Orion’s Attic is here to help!
1. Luis Marx & Co. (Marx Toys)
Marx Toys became one of the most influential American toy makers of the 20th century — and we have a particular weakness for them at Orion’s Attic. It’s hard for us to turn down opportunities to buy these, especially the rare ones and large collections. Known for durable construction, imaginative designs, and bright lithographed tin, Marx toys remain top collectibles at estate sales. Their playsets, wind-up toys, and pressed‑steel vehicles are particularly sought after.
Examples collectors look for:
- Marx wind-up tin toys such as the Cowboy Whoopee Car and Honeymoon Express
- Pressed-steel trucks and early plastic vehicles
- Classic playsets like Fort Apache and Battleground
2. Lionel Trains
Lionel trains dominate the vintage train market. With exceptional engineering, artistry, and lasting cultural impact, Lionel sets from the
Pre‑War and Postwar eras remain holy grails among collectors. Complete boxed sets can command high prices.
Examples collectors look for:
- Lionel 700E Hudson Locomotive
- Pre‑War tinplate sets
- Postwar F3 Santa Fe
3. Japanese Tinplate Toy Makers (Bandai, Nomura, Yonezawa)
Following WWII, Japanese toy makers produced some of the most creative, futuristic, and beautifully lithographed tin toys ever made. Their rockets, robots, and mechanical cars symbolize the Atomic Age and space race—making them extremely collectible today.
Examples collectors look for:
- Bandai 1950s–60s space rockets
- Nomura (TN) battery‑operated robots
- Yonezawa mechanical cars
4. German Tin Toy Makers (Lehmann, Bing, Marklin)
This vintage pool player is usually attributed to KiCo, with similar pieces by Gunthermann. Toy dates to circa 1910.
Germany pioneered mechanical and tin toys, blending precision engineering with artistic detail. Pre‑war examples are especially valued by collectors seeking early craftsmanship and historical significance.
Examples collectors look for:
- Lehmann wind‑up figures like Paddy & the Pig
- Marklin steam engines and trains
- Bing mechanical toys
5. Early Die-Cast Toy Makers (Dinky, Corgi, Tootsietoy)
Die‑cast toy makers created highly detailed miniature vehicles that remain popular with collectors. Early models, especially complete with boxes, continue to rise in value.
Matchbox cars don’t always ring jackpots, but collectors still love them.
Examples collectors look for:
- Dinky military vehicles
- Corgi James Bond Aston Martin
- Tootsietoy Graham models
Our list of top vintage and antique toy makers doesn’t stop here. We still have five more to go!
6. Early Doll Makers (Armand Marseille, Kestner, Schoenhut)
Dolls from the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflect remarkable craftsmanship. Bisque, composition, and wooden dolls—especially in original clothing—are treasured by collectors.
The original 1959 Barbie is still a hot collectible worth real money — especially with original box.
Examples collectors look for:
- Armand Marseille bisque dolls
- Kestner character dolls
- Schoenhut wooden dolls
7. Vintage Board & Mechanical Game Makers (Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley)
Vintage board games and mechanical toys tap into powerful nostalgia. First editions and complete sets, especially in strong condition, are highly collectible.
Examples collectors look for:
- First‑edition Monopoly
- Early Ouija boards
- Pre‑1950s mechanical dexterity games
8. Early Action Figures & Plastic Toy Makers (Hasbro, Mego, Kenner)
The rise of action figures reshaped the toy industry. Early superheroes, Star Wars figures, and first‑generation G.I. Joes continue to command strong prices.
Examples collectors look for:
- Mego superhero figures
- Kenner Star Wars originals
- Hasbro 1964 G.I. Joe
9. Toy Soldiers & Miniatures (Britains Ltd., Elastolin)
Toy soldiers have a dedicated global collector base. Historical sets and well‑preserved figures remain perennial favorites.
Examples collectors look for:
- Britains pre‑1960 lead soldiers
- Elastolin medieval composition figures
- German pre‑war miniatures
10. Early Plush & Teddy Bear Makers (Steiff, Ideal Toy Co.)
Modern Steiff stuffed animals are cool, but the big bucks are in the old ones.
Steiff and Ideal helped define early plush-making. Pre‑1950 Steiff bears—especially those with the button‑in‑ear—can achieve premium prices at auction.
Examples collectors look for:
- Steiff pre‑1950s teddy bears
- Ideal Mickey Mouse dolls
- Mohair plush animals
Learn more about selling all kinds of collectibles including vintage toys in Sell Us Your Stuff.
Learn more about liquidating entire estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.
Do you have great collectibles you need to sell?
Call us today to find out about selling your collections of all kinds of things. We’re always looking for more antique toys, coins, jewelry (fine and costume), sports memorabilia, and more. We can also connect you with dealers specializing in everything from rare books to military antiques.
About Orion’s Attic
Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. We also buy antiques and collectibles. We serve the greater Washington, D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region. Our service area includes Montgomery County (Ashton, Aspen Hill, Barnesville, Bethesda, Boyds, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Colesville, Derwood, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Echo, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Spencerville, Takoma Park, Wheaton, etc.), Frederick County, Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City), Prince George’s County (College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville) plus DC and Northern Virginia. We will occasionally go further if a project is big enough.
