Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
The essentials
- Antique toys, lead soldiers, dolls, collectable figures: make, model, year and reference identify the piece.
- The original box and the condition (unopened, boxed, unboxed) weigh heavily in the value.
- Variations in colour or manufacture are worth noting: they often account for rarity.
Antique toys and collectable figures: what to keep track of
A family toy chest can hold treasures: mechanical tinplate toys, antique dolls, lead or pewter soldiers, modern figures still in their blister packs. For a collector, every detail counts. The same model was often produced over many years, with colours, markings or boxes that change. These variants are what enthusiasts look for.
For each piece, note the brand or manufacturer, the model, the year of manufacture, the manufacturer’s reference, the material and the scale. Then the packaging: unopened, with original box or without box. For a set, such as a box of soldiers, describe the number of pieces and what is missing.
What a toy or figure entry contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Brand or manufacturer, model, year of manufacture | Identify the piece. |
| Manufacturer’s reference | Find the exact model in catalogues and sales. |
| Material: lead, pewter, plastic, tinplate, wood, porcelain, resin | Describe the object and adapt how it is conserved. |
| Scale | Sort figures and consistent series. |
| Packaging: MIB, MOC, original box, no box | A major criterion of value. |
| Variant | Colour, marking, mould: what makes a given copy rare. |
| Condition, restorations | Note missing parts, repaints and replaced pieces. |
| Photos, invoices, valuations | Prove the real condition and track the value. |
Sub-categories separate soldiers and figures, dolls, mechanical and tinplate toys, modern figures and soft toys.
Original box, condition and value
For many toys, the original box matters almost as much as the object. Record its condition separately: colours, corners, flaps, labels. Do not restore anything without a specialist’s opinion: a repaint or a replacement part can reduce the value. If a restoration has already been carried out, note it on the entry; a buyer will want to know. Keep the history of valuations, with their date and author.
Value and insurance
A display cabinet of figures or a set of antique toys can be worth much more than you think. For your insurer, keep an up-to-date list, photos of each important piece and of the whole cabinet, and the invoices. Tell your insurer about the valuable pieces and check that they are covered.
Succession and inheritance
Toys are often family objects full of memories, and dividing them can be delicate. Note what you know about each piece (who owned it, where it came from) and your wishes: who should have it, what may be sold. Our estate inventory template can serve as a starting point.
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph each piece from several angles, with and without its box, then the markings under the base or sole. To have a selection valued, share it through a password-protected, time-limited link. If you also collect scale models, see models and miniature trains; to compare with a spreadsheet, see Excel spreadsheet or collection software.
With Collectalia
Collectalia manages antique toys, lead soldiers, dolls and figures: one entry per piece or set with brand, model, year, manufacturer’s reference, material, scale, packaging (MIB, MOC, original box) and variant, photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, successive valuations and location. Import your existing Excel list, advanced search, PDF reports and Succession module. Free trial, free read-only access for the family.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.