Post-pandemic prosperity Nostalgia-based purchases and activities That extends to collectibles, memories you can hold in your hands. One of the most popular places to buy these memorabilia is eBay, with more than 25% of users who purchased something on the site in 2023 purchasing at least one collectible.
On eBay, global vintage toy listings are up about 10% this year compared to the same period in 2022. Searches for retro Star Wars toys increased by 20%. Some rare items can be sold for a lot of money. May 2023, a unique “Great Warrior Taylor” Yu-Gi-Oh!card It sold for $311,211 on eBay, making it the most expensive Yu-Gi-Oh! Card sales on eBay to date.
“Nostalgia is a powerful driver of collecting, and we’re seeing a strong interest in nostalgic items in the market,” Gene Cook, eBay’s vice president of global collectibles, told Mashable. “Whether it’s inspired by movies like Barbie , trends on social platforms, or is driven by people wanting to have tangible connections with the toys and objects that brought them joy during childhood. Collecting is not just about acquiring objects, it’s about becoming part of a community, and that’s what it means for all generations. in this way.”
We’ve broken down some of eBay’s 2023 trend data to see what people are searching for on the site this year.
In Memoriam: Technologies Dying in 2023
snoopy, sonny angel and miffy
Sonny Angel dolls, all lined up.
Photo credit: Edmond So/South China Morning Post, Getty Images
The lovely collection has had quite a year, featuring fictional Dutch Rabbit MiffySweet sonny angel, Snoopy takes center stage on TikTok and Instagram. On eBay, users search for Miffy 5,000 times a month, and global searches for Sonny Angel have increased by more than 250% compared to the same period last year. This year, eBay users worldwide have searched for “Snoopy” more than 18,000 times a day, and the most expensive Snoopy item sold on eBay is an unworn Snoopy item. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Snoopy Anniversary Series Price is $38,500. People especially like to eat peanuts during festivals. eBay said that from October 2023 to November 2023, the number of “Snoopy” and “Peanuts” collectibles sold on the site increased by double digits.
WAG Game Day Charm
On October 22, 2023, Taylor Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Photo credit: David Ulett/Getty Images
Quarterbacks Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) and Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) are the two most searched football players on eBay’s Global Sports Trading Cards, but it’s the players’ girlfriends who are making an impact this year, eBay said. Sales of Travis Kelce jerseys jumped 340% the day after girlfriend Taylor Swift cheered him on at a game ( This trend is also true) Reflected on shopping app LTK), a day after Dolphins receiver Braxton Berrios’ girlfriend and TikTok star Alix Earle posted a video in the U.S. and Canada Searches for soared more than 4,300% Customize her boyfriend’s jersey.
It’s impossible to attribute these search spikes directly to Swift and Earle, but the duo’s influence on online fashion trends is undeniable.
Taylor Swift (and the popcorn bucket)
Taylor Swift memorial popcorn bucket.
Photo credit: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
Speaking of Swift, the pop star topped all entertainment memorabilia on eBay between July and October 2023. Times Tour MovieeBay said Swifties searched for movie merchandise, from popcorn bucket arrive poster.
Overall, popcorn bucket collectibles are a hot item this year. April, following the March 31 release Dungeons & Dragons: Thief’s Glorythe search volume for AMC’s exclusive product “Dungeons & Dragons Popcorn Buckets” increased by nearly 200% on eBay.
VHS video tape
Photo credit: Anya Semenoff/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Climb into the attic and hunt around for VHS tapes, because they collect more than just dust.During an appearance in October tonight show, Pete Davidson talks about his plans Reselling sealed VHS tapes at high prices.Based on what the format sold for on eBay this year, Davidson may have discovered something: a sealed copy of 1984 The movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” Price is $10,050.The site calls vintage horror movies from the late 70s and 80s – think “The Goonies,” “Halloween,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” – is an especially popular purchase.
sports memorabilia
Olga Carmona celebrates the trophy during the 2023 Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand final between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.
Photo credit: Mark Atkins/Getty Images
Some of the most expensive sports memorabilia purchases on eBay in 2023 are genuine archival items (a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card was the most expensive card purchased in April, and currently a The price listed on the website is $253,500). But modern sports have caused a surge in traffic to the site.
For example, after Tom Brady announced his retirement on February 1, sales of his rookie cards increased by more than 500% on eBay, and searches for his memorabilia jumped by about 230% in the United States. When the soccer star announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain on June 6, global searches for “Lionel Messi” collectibles on eBay increased by more than 75%. When he debuted in Major League Soccer (MLS) in July, eBay searches for his trading cards increased by more than 130% compared to May 2023.
On August 19, Spain’s Olga Carmona scored a goal against England to help her team win the Women’s World Cup for the first time. As of August 20, her Global searches for collectibles surged 5,400%.
Barbie (#JusticeforAllan)
There is only one Allen!
Credit: Mixable Composite Materials; Mattel, Inc.
Barbie is one of the best movies on eBay this year. In the week before and after the movie’s release (July 14-29), users searched for “Barbie” more than 14,000 times per hour globally. Barbie shares the eBay spotlight with an unlikely friend: Ellen, the discontinued friend of Ken, played by Michael Cera in the blockbuster. Between July 14 and July 21 (the day the movie was released), searches for “Allan doll” on eBay increased by more than 1,300%.
