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September, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 9
vending machines with the little trinkets being key, and prices drop by 50% or more
and the watch pasted inside the glass which in lower grades, especially without original
no one ever won. And, finally the big, red, packaging. The “Holy Grail” is the G1
cherry Slurpee with the cool straw and a Pepsi® Optimus Prime Canadian version.
spoon at the bottom. Mint in box this truck can fetch $20,000+.
Eventually I accumulated about a dozen An AFA 85 graded version sold on eBay for
of these Transformers, from weapons to over $5,000. While researching the current
vehicles. I didn’t know the good guys from market I came across the 1985 Hasbro G1
the bad guys - they were all interesting. I Jetfire series 2 I remember opening as a
remember playing with them in my room, child and it’s now worth $4,000. Where
alone, but not feeling alone. I liked how did I put it!? That’s the past and we can’t
the stickers were printed with glistening change it.
logos on them. I’d stare at their faces In hindsight I would’ve had to restrain
hoping they’d move or talk but they were myself from opening the package, left
just frozen, unlike life, which just keeps it safely stored in air conditioning and
moving. would’ve had to meticulously pack and
I was recently reminded how life just unpack it through the dozen house moves
keeps moving while on a visit to a local over the last three decades until finally
shop called Tate’s in Lauderhill. There he submitting it to be graded by a third party
had several Transformers for sale, including Optimus Prime Autobot is from Generation 1 toy grading company. The chances of it
the gun, which was priced way more than but this is a remake that looks like the original. Value $20.00 maintaining a high grade after all that would
the original $19.99, it was now several most probably be next to none, so in the end
hundred dollars. Seeing how the labels had yellowed on it, reminded me of it just wasn’t meant to be that I have a $4,000 Transformers toy in my closet.
how much time had passed in my life. Wait! I found something I still have, a Transformers lunchbox, that was the day
So, what are those Transformers worth today? Obviously you want them we visited Kmart for a rusty lunchbox replacement and I didn’t get to go down
in the original packaging and in the best condition possible, ideally, “MIB” the toy aisle. A Transformers lunchbox valued at $50-$100, better than nothing
mint in box. That means as close to looking like it came off the shelf, as it was I suppose…
originally, over thirty years ago.
The most valuable of the Transformers are the Generation One or G1 Do you have a collection to sell but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you inherited comic books from
Collection from 1984. Various G1’s such as: A sealed Megatron or Dinobot the 1930s -1960s, baseball cards from the 1950s – 1960s, Garbage Pail Kids from the 1980s, vintage metal
lunchboxes from the 1950s – 1970s, vintage fast food restaurant décor or any unusual collectibles. I’ve been
I
Sludge in high grade with original box are each worth $1,600+ while the G1 known to pay top dollar for vintage collections and I’m waiting for your email or text. Contact me today with
75
Autobot Smokescreen is worth $1,500+. As with any collectible, condition your inventory list at: kpeople@hotmail.com or text me at 561-628-4369. Thanks, CollectorK
2 Locations SARASOTA

NEW LOCATION on University Parkway 1
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DESOTO RD
Design Features With History HONORE
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Salvage
1093 Central Avenue DR. MLK JR. HWY
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5265 University Parkway 1 ORANGE WASHINGTON 1 2 t h S T
941-500-1212 10 ST
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m cormack Antique Clock Emporium
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US
41
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500 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
Near Burns Court Cinema
South Pineapple and Burns Court 941-350-4522 SR 72
Sarasota, Florida 34236 STICKNEY POINT RD http://antiqueclockemporium.com

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OLD VENICE RD.