JELLYCAT toys have soared in popularity in recent years – and if you’ve got some you could be sitting on a goldmine.
The soft toys are often produced in limited quantities, meaning they go up in value due to their rarity.
Peter Jenkinson, a toys and games expert who goes by the pro name of the ‘toyologist’, said: “Jellycat have been around for a quarter of a century but it’s only recently they’ve really started to achieve cult status.
“Maintaining a premium price, they appeal to gift-givers looking to give something a little special but also to those looking to collect and keep them in the hope of creating some extra cash.
“It is, of course, the ones that are no longer being produced that fetch the biggest sums.”
Jellycat toys are so popular that they have had over a billion views on TikTok.
The company ‘retires’ many of their products every year, making them highly sought after – second hand, they can go for prices far higher than their original cost, though, as Peter said: “It’s always best to keep on the tag if you want to maintain any value.”
It is the exclusive ranges that command the highest prices.
Peter said: “Take the Bashful Kara Bunny, a limited release in 2012 that has since become one of the hardest to find.
“This has taken the floppy-eared cutey to values of £500 and above.”
There is also a range of ‘Amuseables’, plush toys in the shape of everything from pickles to pears – and some of them are now changing hands for over £350.
To sell your Jellycat toy for the maximum price, you won’t be short of options.
Peter said: “There are so many Jellycat forums and social media sites.
“Keep an eye on prices on eBay but, when it comes to selling, make sure you wait for Ebay to be in free sale mode or their commission will eat into your hard-earned gains.”
Peter had words of warning though for when you’re purchasing: “Jellycat buyers and investors beware, watch out when you do an online search that the product page you end up on is in fact selling you an actual Jellycat and not an imitation brand.
“Loads of lookalikes have sprung up in response to the success of these plush figures – and you don’t want any substitutes.”
PETER shared the Jellycats to buy now that could increase in price:
Snowdragon
Peter said that the biggest in the Jellycat range, priced at £100, isn’t of mass appeal because of the cost, but it is in contention to increase in value.
“The production runs will be vastly lower than many others in the range. Keep its tag and packaging and store it away for a decent return.”
Sandcastle
“This is one of the more complicated pieces in the Jellycat range, hence its current price of £45,” said Peter.
“The intricate nature and detailing make it a contender for retirement sooner than many others, so it’s well worth a punt.
Bartholomew Bear backpack
This one isn’t cheap, at £55, but Peter said it is worth a punt to stash away ahead of a probable value increase.
“This is a move away from the core Jellycat range and is unlikely to come back into production next year.”
Fish and chips
This special set was created for a social media campaign and it boosted Jellycat interactions online, so Peter said the range will retire soon – and soar in value.
“Anyone lucky enough to have bought items from Jellycat’s Fish and Chips launch this year should keep them safe, dry and out of play’s way,” Peter said.
It’s worth investing in the Christmas Jellycat collection, currently on sale and including gingerbread people and Christmas puddings.
“Any seasonal Jellycat is worth taking into your collection, be that an Xmas tree, peanut reindeer or a snowball. Also collectables from other occasions, such as a Valentine’s heart.”
Peter said: “Jellycats are definitely the modern day Steiff bears – which, as we know, can command thousands.”
“Generally, all the bashful bunnies are worth investing in as they tend to have a shorter production run compared to many others in the range,” said Peter.
“The Bashful Sherbet Bunny was retired in 2017. It would’ve cost around £20 and commands over £100 now.”
Peter suggested buying the Tulip version now for around £40, which looks set for an increase in value.
Jellycat’s Amuseables range first hit toy stores in 2018 with a quirky collection featuring everything from plush mushrooms to a cactus and a watermelon.
Peter said that the most popular among collectors is actually an egg.
“The graduation egg sold in June at £23. There are a few around now but this is set to become a collectible as it is unique and likely to be the first in this range to be ‘retired’, so will increase in value.”
Another valuable Amuseable is the skateboard.
“It’s a totally unique piece with lots of stitching detail, this £35 piece is certainly one that’ll appeal to younger collectors and have lots of social media appeal.
A limited edition and quite a contrast to the usual Jellycat products, these rare, retired bats in their purple polo neck jumpers can go for vastly inflated prices – they sell on eBay for up to £650.
Peter said these retired bears, a winter favourite, have been known to sell for up to a staggering £1,200 because of scarcity, not to mention bundles of classic charm.
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