Turn Your Antique Toys into Cash at Buying Show in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bruce Zalkin says his job is far from child’s play. His Antique Toy and Doll Buying Show is a unique opportunity for Middle Georgians to cash in on childhood memories.

“This one came out in 1959,” Zalkin said holding the original Barbie, “it’s probably the most expensive single item that’s come in. She’s worth between $4,000 to $5,000.”

All weekend, the toy purchaser has been dusting off old dolls and dishing out dollars; buying the toys to resells to collectors. On Saturday, one woman brought in her entire childhood Barbie collection.

“They’ve just been sitting in the closet,” she said.

Eventually, she left with $500. Her and Zalkin chatted about the history of the toys and reminisced.

“This was the Ken doll’s friend Allan,” Zalkin explained.

“Wow! I didn’t even know that, I was so young when my mother bought him,” she said.

While for some customers, the trade-in is a trip down memory lane, for other’s, Zalkin is the bearer of bad news. Another woman came in with German dolls from the 1800’s, but they were so badly damaged, Zalkin didn’t have much to offer her.

“It was her mother’s stuff that she played with as a kid,” he said.

Overall, his appraisals have ranged anywhere $10 to $1,000. For residents looking to get big bucks for old toys, here’s what Zalkin’s looking for.

Toys the Antique Toy and Doll Buying Show is Interested in:

Pre-1950’s: the wind-up toys, Fisher Price pull toys and cast iron toys.

1950’s: Matchbox, Vogue dolls, lead soldiers and Madame Alexander

1960’s: Barbie, Hotwheels and The Beatles

1970’s: Blythe dolls, Star Trek, Charlies Angels and Hot Wheels

1980’s: Star Wars and Transformers

1990’s-2008: Lego Sets, Harry Potter and Batman

The Antique Toy and Doll Buying Show will be at the Courtyard Marriot at 3990 Sheraton Drive in Macon from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until July 1.

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