Author: susan

Every kid wants a pet. But not every parent is willing. So, over the past 25 years, Kenner Toys, now Hasbro, created thousands of versions of tiny 2″ plastic animals from The Littlest Pet Shop to fill the desire without all the responsibility.

What started with the typical, realistic-looking puppies, kitties, bunnies, lizards, and birds has expanded to include larger farm, zoo, and wild animals.

 

Play sets offer shops, care centers, and kennels full of detailed pet accessories: totes, beds, housewares, even bandages for their little paws.

 

Once Hasbro assimilated Kenner in the late 1990s, the company reformulated the LPS animals into more cartoon-y, cute, easy to merchandize Generations.

 

Plush toys, bedroom sheet sets, stationary, t-shirts, lunchboxes, Kids’ Meal giveaways, video games, and even a Monopoly edition.

The first Littlest Pet Shop TV series debuted in 1995. The 2012 series produced over 100 episodes and can still be found on various kids’ cable networks. Some Generations of the LPS developed bobble-heads and grew a magnet in one paw. The final pet from Generation Four was #3107, a blue pony with a Mohawk mane.

I sell my LPS in lots. I don’t have the interest, patience, or the eyesight to research and individually list each pet. But that can be the way to make a larger profit.

Search for the toy based on animal type, eye color and eye pupil pattern. Yes, really. A raindrop, cookie, snowflake, and more shapes that are symbolic. Eventually, you can narrow down and find your specific pet, which may sell for a few dollars or $100. Large lots can go for over $1000.

Go dig through that toy box and get out your magnifying glass. You may have a Littlest Pet Shop pet worth Big Bucks.

In January 2017, Hasbro’s Monopoly made news with its Token Madness Vote, which allowed fans to select the next generation of the eight game pieces. Voted off the board were the blue-collar thimble, wheelbarrow and boot, replaced with a trendy rubber ducky, penguin and T-Rex. And did you know that in 2013 the tiny iron was ditched in favor of a cute cat? That’s understandable.

This iconic board game reflected the times. In the early 20^th century, Monopoly appeared as The Landlord’s Game designed by Elizabeth Magie as a political economic statement. By 1933, a series of land buying/selling games morphed into the Parker Brothers’ Monopoly version we know.

Now, in the early 21^st century, there are hundreds of editions:

From Angry Birds to Jurassic World to Zombie-opoly.

Not only has the game’s editions and playing pieces changed. Look closely at these two orange Chance cards. Left, is the 1936 version. Right – An additional 1998 copyright.

In 1936, Rich Uncle Pennybags put up his feet and relaxed puffing on a big, fat cigar. However, by 1998, Mr. Monopoly had given up his unhealthy habit. Notice too, the image is just a tad smaller, saving money on ink over millions of printings. So, Hasbro stays politically correct and penny-wise. Good Business!

When buying a Monopoly game for resale, I rarely consider the condition of the box. It’s what’s inside that counts. Break down the elements: tokens, houses/hotels, deeds, money, Community Chest/Chance cards, dice, instructions and the game board.

Sure, people need replacement pieces. Crafters want the pewter tokens and other objects for jewelry, too.

Educators use the plastic buildings and paper money as math manipulatives.

Even the colorful boards sell to become tabletops or wall hangings.

A one-dollar investment can open up a big profit in a game box.