Are lead soldiers worth money?
In 1966, the production of lead-alloy soldiers ceased because use of the potentially poisonous material was banned. Any toy soldiers made before the 20th Century are referred to as ‘ancients’. Boxed sets of nine can be worth anything from £1,000 to £8,000 depending on their condition.
Are old toy soldiers worth anything?
Collectors can have their figures or sets appraised by dealers or specialists at auction houses, usually at no cost. The most expensive single toy soldier was sold at Christie’s in 1994, when a rare prototype Britains marching guard from 1934 brought £3,100, or $4,371.
How old are lead soldiers?
Vintage lead figures are at least 20 years old, whereas antique lead figures are at least 100 years old.
Can you sell lead toys?
A new consumer product safety law that went into effect in February makes it illegal to sell toys and other children’s products if the lead content exceeds 300 parts per million — and the limit is even lower for lead paint on products.
When did they stop making lead toys?
Lead in Toys: Toys Still on Shelves Although banned in 1978, it continues to be a hazard in 25% of U.S. homes with kids under age 6.
Are lead soldiers safe?
Lead is an insidious poison: It’s slow-acting and results not in immediately noticeable effects like rashes but in behavioral problems and a slightly lowered IQ. Even a very small amount of it is harmful. Yet a few decades ago, a lot of the most popular playthings were made from solid lead, including tin soldiers.
Is lead banned in the US?
In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead paint is usually not a problem.
Is there lead in plastic toys?
Lead softens plastic, making a toy more flexible to return to its original shape. Lead may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from heat. Lead dust can form on toys when some plastics are exposed to sunlight, air, and detergents that break down the chemical bond between the lead and plastics.
Do wooden toys have lead?
Lead may be found in the paint of either wooden or plastic toys. It was banned in house paint and other products in the United States in 1978. However, it is still widely used in other countries, and can still be found on toys from other countries.
How can I tell if my toys are lead?
The only two methods to accurately test a toy for lead is through a certified XRF Analyzer or by certified laboratory. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has not been determined.
Does lead rot spread?
Some older collectors will also insist that lead rot is contagious, that any afflicted figures need to be removed and kept away from the rest of your collection, or else the contagion will spread through your hosts like the Black Death spread through Europe.