Do you have grail pieces that are only nostalgically valuable

[UnderdogDJLSW]

OK. Here's a silly thing that I had to have because of something I never did 30 years ago. Every once in a while I go on a classic Battlestar kick, and lately I've been looking on ebay just to see what's there.

Well, here's a story: Back then, I had been collecting the Marvel BG comics and had the whole run up to that point. In 1979, on a grocery store trip with my mom, I saw this sitting in the little end cap book section:

(Image is not mine by the way, this comes from google images). It was the Stan Lee Presents small paperback collecting issues 4-6. I had the Hulk and Spidey ones and I was excited to see this, but when I looked inside, I saw it was stuff I already had, so I put it back.

It continued to sit in that little end cap until early 1981 when either it was bought or removed. During that two years, it was like a game to me every store visit on whether I would ask my mom to get it or if I would leave it there. When it disappeared, it was like the little puppy in the pet store window not being there anymore. So, back to 2010, when I saw one for 99 cents and no one had bid, I had to buy it. I'm really happy and I don't know exactly why.

Anyone else have a grail piece that they have to have, but not because it is valued on the market, but really is just for satisfying the fact that you passed it by many years ago?

[Merlyn1976]

I have been looking for a beanie baby type figure that was out around 1980 or so that was called a pugglet...my grandmother bought me one just before she died but mine came up missing over the years...

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

My collection has lots of stuff like that...just makes me feel good.

[huedell]

I'm really happy and I don't know exactly why.

Anyone else have a grail piece that they have to have, but not because it is valued on the market, but really is just for satisfying the fact that you passed it by many years ago?

I'm a bit crazy right now, so I'm not going to rack my brain for an example...
but I think I get what you're talking about.

I'd sum up "that feeling" as something that resembles having a
kind oif "magical time machine" distilled in the form of
the Stan Lee Presents BATTLESTAR small paperback
or whatever item fits the description.

I guess you can feel that way about any toy or item out of your past...
but it becomes more meaningful and magical if it has a more specific story
and/or background to it in your childhood than your run of the mill item,
as your BG book is quite specific to you and your childhood memories.

[HardyGirl]

I think mine would have to be my GIJoe Adventure Team Talking view masters. I remember in '91 I saw one at a toy show, but I didn't buy it b/c I didn't have a talking view master. I always regretted that. After that I tried looking at flea markets and toy shows, but to no avail. Then when Ebay came along, I saw some and bid, only to keep getting beat out. Then one day I finally won it! It was complete in the box w/ the little booklet. I really love that set.

[jds1911a1]

not a toy but in the same vein is my 96 Thunderbird. It's the only car I ever bought new in prep of gettig classic car plates I will have it's paint completelty striped blasted and restored and the dings and dents detailed (clearcoat is peeling in spots so it's time to redo the paint). It isn't rare and will probably never be a high money car at Barre Jackson but it is priceless to me

[megoapesnut]

Yeah, I gotta go with a car as well. My first two cars were Ford Pintos and my second was a 77 that I cried over when it died. I have a fondness in my heart for Pintos, but I am probably the only soul on earth who does. I know everyone is sick of seeing it, but here it is again, my pride and joy - 1977 Pinto with 26,000 original miles! The top photo is my current baby, the bottom photo was the 77 from my teen years. No, that is not me in the photo, that is a friend. But he is wearing MY parachute pants that I loaned him for our double date.

[Riffster]

My collection has lots of stuff like that...just makes me feel good.

me too

[david_b]

It's like having the first comic you ever owned.., probably doesn't go for much, but you'll always want to know you have it tucked away somewhere. I have a small wooden toddler wind-up radio that plays '10 Little Indians' from back when I was, well, a toddler..

It's seen better days, but plays just fine. Glad to know it's packed away.

david_b

[Cmonster]

Great thread. I'd have to say that most, if not all my grails, are nostalgic like that and probably have no monetary value. Any tiny little shard of 70's sweetness I can find anywhere that brings me back to my childhood in that way, is worth more than anything to me. It truly was a great era and a wonderful time to be a kid.

Scott, I do not even have the words to express how cool that Pinto is. I absolutely love it. The only thing cooler than the car, is the picture of your friend with Sarah Connor from the original Terminator... Sweet!

SC

[jds1911a1]

Yeah, I gotta go with a car as well. My first two cars were Ford Pintos and my second was a 77 that I cried over when it died. I have a fondness in my heart for Pintos, but I am probably the only soul on earth who does. I know everyone is sick of seeing it, but here it is again, my pride and joy - 1977 Pinto with 26,000 original miles! The top photo is my current baby, the bottom photo was the 77 from my teen years. No, that is not me in the photo, that is a friend. But he is wearing MY parachute pants that I loaned him for our double date.

http://www.megocipsa.com/ftpimages/pintos.jpg

I bet it's valuable now considering the history of the pinto.

my bird is common as dirt I could probably buy 2 decent ones from the same era for what I will spend to recondition mine but they wouldn't be mine