Did you know that an antique metal lunch box once sold for $13,225?
If the answer is no, then you are probably relatively new to the world of collectible lunch boxes. By the way, the Isolina box in question was sold at auction in 2003 in perfect condition. It must be said that this price, which included the buyer’s premium, is very much an exception to the rule, as most vintage pieces sell for between $30 and $300. However, depending on the condition and the exact part in question, prices can far exceed this amount.
Probably the oldest collectible is the 1935 Mickey Mouse box. This was an oval-shaped design with a handle and was introduced to the market long before the massive rise in popularity of metal designs that occurred during the 1990s. 1950. This period saw massive success for the largest manufacturers, which were American Thermos, Aladdin Industries and Ohio Art. Aladdin was responsible for the Hopalong Cassidy case (a 1951 collector’s item) and American Thermos continued this cowboy theme with a series of designs based on Roy Rogers beginning in 1953.
In terms of value, the 1950s are usually the most interesting for collectors. For example, an original, mint condition Superman box set from 1954 sold for $5,000 in 2005. However, it’s important to note that multiple versions of the same basic designs were often released. For example, 9 versions of the Roy were released in the years prior to 1957. For this reason, it is essential to verify the exact year of manufacture before buying or selling.
Finally, it’s interesting to note that world events have occasionally increased the value of the boxes. One example is the 1977 King Kong collectible, whose value tripled after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Why? Because the design shows King Kong perched not on the Empire State Building but on the World Trade Center.