Hobbies And Interests
Wooden Sets
The Tinker Toy sets produced in the 1980s were the classic wooden sets. Plastic Tinker Toys and Giant Tinker Toys were not introduced until the early 1990s. They were sold in large cylinder canisters. Over the years, Tinker Toys also produced wooden assembly sets with different pieces rather than the spools and sticks of the classic set. Both may be of interest to collectors although the classic set is still the most widely recognized.
Companies
In 1985, Playskool acquired Tinker Toys from Child Guidance. Older sets manufactured by Child Guidance closely resemble the newer sets produced by Playskool and manufacture information can be determined if the container is still intact. Currently, Tinkertoys is owned by Hasbro.
Condition
Serious collectors interested in 1980s Tinker Toys prefer sets in mint condition, which means that the set appears practically new and unused. They often view their purchase of 1980s Tinker Toys as an investment and expect the value of the set to increase over time. Other collectors may be interested in 1980s Tinker Toys for nostalgic reasons. The sets remind them of their childhood or when their own children were younger. Whatever the collector's reason, there are many people interested in owning classic Tinker Toys. The better the condition of the set, the higher the value will be. Toy collecting is a popular hobby, which can be enjoyed by anyone.
Preservation
If you own one a 1980s Tinker Toy set, it's important to keep it in good condition. While the attic or basement may seem like the ideal location, they are often damp areas prone to infestation. Store your set where the temperature will remain relatively stable and keep it covered to avoid collecting dust and fading from exposure to sunlight.