I will never forgive my father for throwing away our original Atari video games. They were stored in a box in a corner in the attic. We all moved out and he cleaned house. It brings a tear to my eye to think of Donkey Kong sitting alone in a landfill. A friend of mine still has her vintage gaming system. She pulled it out and her kids played for hours. Her 13-year-old son mastered Pitfall on his first turn. What the hell was wrong with us? I barely made it past level four. An original Atari system sells for over $100 on Ebay. It isn’t the only toy from our childhood worth bank.
Teddy Ruxpin is listed for $349
Heman action figures are listed for $5,300
An original Cabbage Patch doll is listed for $1,250
I still have my original Cabbage Patch doll. My daughter plays with Ellen Adella. (I can’t remember important milestones in my own child’s life, but I still remember the name of a doll born in a patch, with a man’s signature on her buttocks.) I couldn’t sell it. My uncle bought me that Cabbage Patch doll. Who am I kidding? For two grand I would sell an organ.
BuzzFeed.com has a list of 33 childhood toys that are worth a fortune now. You may want to check it before unloading your stuff at a garage sale. I have had one garage sale in my adult life. I spent eight hours baking in the hot sun and made $50. I think migrant farm workers earn more. Old ladies tried negotiating items marked for a quarter. “I will give you ten cents.” I caved every time. I don’t know what was more intimidating: their demanding tone or nude support hose. I watch Law & Order, Grandma is not always as sweet as she seems.
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