ICYMI – Pandemic Sales Rise, Bobblehead No Longer Falls in Minnesota and Other Collectibles News

The collectibles world is a big place with lots going on. Keeping track of it all can be daunting.

We catch you up on some fun news from the industry that you might have missed!

Pandemic Billions: Collectibles Companies Surge

Many of us turned to our collections to help get us through the pandemic. Now, as the numbers are beginning to reveal, we weren’t alone.

Toy companies are reporting a surge in sales during the pandemic.

Lego, for instance, saw its annual revenue skyrocket 27 percent from $6.3 billion in 2020 to $8.06 billion in just a year.

Heritage Auctions surpassed the billion dollar mark for annual sales for the first time in their 45 year history, hauling in an eye-popping $1.4 billion in 2021.

According to Heritage, they set world records last year for selling its most valuable: comic book, J.C. Leyendecker painting, video game, Michael Jordan jersey, Peanuts artwork, hockey trading card and Harry Potter book.

Meanwhile, up in Everett, Washington, Funko continued its surge, making good on its prediction of becoming a billion-dollar company with $1.029 billion worth of net sales in 2021.

Hot Wheels & Fender Rock Out

Rock meets Roll with the latest collaboration between Fender and Hot Wheels.

The duo have partnered to create 16 Masterbuilt guitars fashioned after classic Hot Wheels Hot Rods.

Using designs for Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass and Katana, Fender master builders and apprentices gave each unique guitar a color and design that remains true to iconic Hot Wheels models from throughout the years.

The good folks at Carbuzz have more details here.

The #FenderCustomShop x Hot Wheels collection consists of 16 one-of-a-kind, bespoke designs inspired by the die-cast vehicles introduced by Mattel in 1968. Learn more about this collection here: https://t.co/KAuK8AiVci pic.twitter.com/5ZSC7IoDvd

— Fender (@Fender) March 9, 2022

Honoring the Father of Video Games

Did you know? The late Ralph Baer, known as the “Father of the Video Games,” would have turned 100 on March 8. Baer is credited with creating the home video game console, which was eventually licensed as the Magnavox Odyssey, which also set the framework for the classic game Pong.

Baer passed away in 2014 at age 92.

Falling Bobblehead Changes Stadium Policy

Heads up! Now that Major League Baseball is back, fans can look for some more protection while sitting in the stands. From foul balls? Try from falling bobbleheads.

Lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced legislation that requires the Twins to install more protective netting. This measure came after a man was injured this summer at a game by a bobblehead that fell from a stadium suite.

We’re happy to report the fan was OK. After all, this was no ordinary bobblehead. Check it out on here on hobbyDB.

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