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Collectibles market rises despite economic volatility
Despite major declines in the stock market due to the war in Iran, global collectors still spent more than US$600 million on classic cars and fine art, signalling strength at the top of the economy. Last week, London art sales were up over 50% from last year, topping $550 million, according to Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Phillips auction houses. Some works sold for more than double their estimates, and records were set for several artists with bids pouring in from 40 countries. The Broad Arrow Auctions hosted its most successful auction ever at the Amelia Island Concours in Florida last week, which totalled $111 million. The sale included a $15 million 2003 Ferrari Enzo and a $6.7 million 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and followed a strong auction a week earlier by RM Sotheby’s at ModaMiami that reached $74 million. These strong sales come as consumer volatility picks up and oil markets surge amid the war in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, where around 20% of global oil flows through, continues to be closed due to the ongoing conflict, causing crude oil to surge over $100 per barrel. However, experts said the global turmoil may have helped demand for rare collectibles as the wealthy search for safe long-term in
Collectibles
Hot Wheels' collector gold: BTTF 40th Anniversary set
In a move that blends cinematic nostalgia with high-end collectibles, Mattel’s Hot Wheels division has unveiled a limited-edition Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Set, timed to the cult classic’s original release on July 3, 1985. The $32 collector’s pack — launched at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 — features two meticulously detailed 1:64 scale die-cast vehicles: the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 time machine and, for the first time ever, Doc Brown’s GMC Value Van. The set is more than a toy — it’s a cinematic diorama. Packaged in a display box modeled after the Twin Pines Mall parking lot scene, the DeLorean slides out of the van via a fold-out ramp, mimicking the film’s legendary time-travel debut. Both vehicles feature Real Riders wheels and authentic graphics, with the DeLorean sporting the OUTATIME license plate and detailed interior wiring. The van, meanwhile, bears the “Dr. E. Brown Enterprises” logo and weathered detailing for screen-accurate realism. For global luxury collectors, this release is part of Mattel’s broader “Nostalgic Film Favourites” series, which also includes the Jaws 50th Anniversary set. According to Mattel Creations SVP Nick Karamanos, the goal is to “celebrate the spirit of these iconic moments” and co
Collectibles
Mattel said it would raise prices to deal with tariffs
Mattel said it would increase prices for some of its products in the United States to counter higher input costs caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs. In an attempt to drive manufacturing to the U.S., Trump implemented 145% tariffs against China. However, Mattel CEO, Ynon Kreiz told CNBC’s Squawk Box that this is unlikely to happen for toys after the company withdrew its annual financial targets. “We need to remember that a significant part of toy creation happens in America,” he said. “Design, development, product engineering, brand management all happens in America. “Making product, producing product in other countries, allows us to create quality products at affordable price points.” Mattel is also working to diversify its manufacturing to reduce its dependence on China. By the end of the year, Mattel aims to source less than 40% of its products from China, and in two years, have no country that represents more than 25% of its sourcing. Mattel is also committed to taking mitigating actions to offset costs associated with the trade war, including raising prices in the U.S. while keeping the price of toys low. According to Roth analyst Eric Handler, the company expects to keep around 40% to 50% of its p
Collectibles
Barbie honours iconic women in music and sport
Two of Australia’s most celebrated tennis players Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty have been honoured as one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls. As a part of International Women’s Day celebrations, Mattel in Australia is recognising sportswomen and the power friendships between women of colour through Barbie. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I’d be a Barbie myself," said Barty. "It’s just such an incredible experience to be a part of.” The doll maker's tribute to female friendship includes a series of one-of-a-kind “Role Model” dolls, each inspired by powerful pairs whose bonds have shaped their careers and empowered their successes. “When I first heard about it, I thought 'that is so cool' because it just came out of the blue ... I wasn’t expecting anything like this," said Goolagong Cawley. Over in the U.S, Barbie’s career of the year is women and music and to celebrate multi-GRAMMY award winning artist, Alicia Keys will be honoured with her own doll. Barbie is spotlighting two distinct professions: Musical Artist and Tour Managers. The iconic doll brand teamed up with Keys, her recording and mix engineer, Ann Mincieli, and their She Is The Music initiative to honor women who chose a career in
Collectibles
Olivia Newton-John's iconic Grease jacket makes US$740k
The leather jacket worn by Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 film Grease has sold at an auction in Beverly Hills for more than US$740,000 (A$1,161,762.22). The jacket worn during the film's ending musical numbers, You’re the One That I Want and We Go Together was one of the top items up for sale in the Julien’s Auctions held on Friday Australian time. It was sold in the final auction of Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies year-end event of A Week Of Hollywood Legends, which sold over 1000 of the most famous and beloved artefacts in film history. Unsurprisingly, the leather jacket was the top seller in the auction featuring property from the estate of Olivia Newton-John. Initially, the jacket was only expected to sell for around $80,000-$100,000 and surpassed expectations, selling for six times the amount. This wasn’t the first time that the jacket had been auctioned. Newton-John sold the jacket for $242,200 during a charity auction in 2019 after holding onto the costume for 40 years. The buyer then returned the jacket when they met later at Newton-John’s California home. Other items that sold at Friday’s auction were the singer custom painted Steinway turquoise baby blue piano ($158,750), pieces related t

Collectibles
Old is new again as vinyl makes another big comeback
The first single by legendary Australian rock band AC/DC “Can I Sit Next to You, Girl” cost between $1 and $1.50 when it was released in 1974. That equates to between $6.50 and $9.80 when adjusted for inflation but, if you want to own the “45” (revolutions per minute) record, you may have pay more than $3,000 in the secondary market, according to record traders and collectors. A resurgence of interest over the last decade is driving demand for new and used records as people old and young discover and re-discover the appeal of sounds on vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) in Australia’s recorded music market. This is illustrated by wholesale (shipments to retailers and online sales and streams) statistics from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), the national body representing major and independent record producers, manufacturers and distributors. Sales of new vinyl albums were $42.1 million in the 2023 calendar year, which was a staggering 1,384% more than sales of $2.8 million in 2013. This gave vinyl a 6% share of a $676 million “new” music market, which is dominated by digital recordings such as subscription services, ad supported streaming, downloads and video streaming with a 91% share, leaving compact
Collectibles
A look inside the luxury collectibles markets
The collectibles market offers a diverse range of investment opportunities, appealing to both seasoned investors and enthusiasts. According to Benzinga’s recent report, several categories stand out for their potential returns and growing popularity.Key Collectibles to Consider Fine ArtHistorical Performance: Fine art has consistently been a reliable investment. According to the Art Market Report by Art Basel and UBS, the global art market reached $65.1 billion in 2021, with contemporary art accounting for a significant portion of sales.Market Trends: Contemporary art, in particular, has seen substantial appreciation. For instance, the sale of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Untitled” for $110.5 million in 2017 exemplifies the high returns possible in this segment.Investment Platforms: Platforms like Masterworks allow investors to buy shares in high-value artworks, democratising access to the art market. Art can outperform traditional assets like the S&P 500, with some artworks appreciating by over 10% annually.Trading CardsMarket Growth: The market for trading cards, including sports and Pokémon cards, has surged. According to eBay’s 2021 State of Trading Cards report, the trading card market grew by 142% in 2020.High-Profile Sales: H
Collectibles
Card sharks circling: The lure of sports memorabilia
In recent years, the investment landscape has seen a significant shift towards alternative assets, with sports memorabilia emerging as a particularly intriguing option. Originally, trading cards were advertising cards that were packaged with cigarettes to stiffen them. As soon as baseball became a professional sport in the 1860s, baseball cards were printed and sold in sweets or tobacco packets. Platforms dedicated to fractional ownership of sports memorabilia are at the forefront of this trend, offering investors a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios with high-value collectibles.The Rise of Fractional OwnershipFractional ownership allows investors to purchase shares in valuable assets, making it possible to own a piece of high-priced memorabilia without the need for substantial capital. This model converts sports memorabilia into fractional shares that can be bought and sold on various platforms. This approach democratises access to rare and valuable items, such as a $350,000 baseball card, by allowing investors to buy shares for as little as $15.How It WorksThe process involves acquiring valuable sports memorabilia, validating its authenticity, and then securitising these items. Investors can parti