40 Things That Everyone Had In The ’70s That No One Sees Today
36. Fisher Price Toys
Where It Was Sold: Toys R Us, Kmart, Mail-Order Catalogs, Macy’s
Original Est. Cost: $15*
Current Est. Value: $80*
Fisher-Price has been an important part of American culture since its inception, and it has released hit toys every single decade. In the 1970s, one of its most popular toys was its Family Camper. The toy pictured here was released in 1972.
It featured a Play Family Camper, a four-person family, and their dog, as well as a bunch of other cute little accessories. You can find this toy in a complete set on eBay for $80. It’s rare to find the set without any of its pieces missing, hence the high price. If you own this vintage toy and it is in good condition, you could make a nice chunk of change.
37. Baseball Card Collections
Where It Was Sold: Toys R Us, Grocery Stores, Cereal Boxes, Mail-Order Catalogs, Hobby Shops
Original Est. Cost: $0-$5*
Current Est. Value: Varies Based On The Card
Baseball has been an American pastime for over a century, and, in addition to watching and playing the game, people love collecting baseball cards. These cards can be a lucrative hobby, with some fetching hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
In the ‘70s, you could find these cards anywhere—in cereal boxes, toy stores, hobby shops, and mail-order catalogs. Valuable cards from this era feature stars like Pete Rose, Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, Roberto Clemente, and more. If you have baseball cards from this era, you might want to price-compare them on hobby sites or get them appraised. Who knows? You could be sitting on a gold mine.
38. Barbie Dolls
Where It Was Sold: Macy’s, Walmart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Toy Stores, Sears
Original Est. Cost: $10*
Current Est. Value: $20-$140*
Technically, Barbies have been popular for many years, not just 1970-1979. These toys have been a windfall for Mattel, which has sold billions of them throughout the decades. In the 1970s, Barbies like Gold Medal Barbie, Fashion Photo Barbie, Ballerina Barbie, Kissing Barbie, Mod Hair Ken, Growing Up Skipper, Quick Curl Barbie, and more were some of the most popular.
And the most lucrative on resale. For example, there is a Vintage 1970 Mattel Live Action Barbie up for grabs on eBay for $116.50. Another, the 1970 Walking Jamie Doll, sold exclusively at Sears, is listed for $125.
39. Bedroom Shelving Sets
Where It Was Sold: Macy’s, Gimbels, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ashley Furniture
Original Est. Cost: $500-$2,000*
Current Est. Value: $800-$2,000*
Though the seventies was full of intriguing, controversial design choices, you can’t argue with this one’s practicality. Bedroom shelving units provided a functional centerpiece for the room, acting as both a headboard and storage unit. You could find these units at furniture stores for $500 to $2,000, depending on how elaborate they were.
Of course, these units were usually made of an earthy-toned wood that dominated the bedroom. If you didn’t want to head to the furniture store to pick up one of these massive shelves, you could always order it from a department store catalog, like the one from Macy’s or Gimbels.
40. Classic Cook Centers
Where It Was Sold: Home Depot, Lowe’s (Materials)
Original Est. Cost: $2,000-$5,000*
Current Est. Value: $1,200-$7,000*
After the 1950s, a lot of emphasis was placed on modernizing kitchens that were now, post-WWII, considered dated. No one wanted to have an old kitchen, and the ‘70s had the heaviest emphasis on having a modern kitchen. 1970s kitchens were full of colors and patterns, but they were also practical.
Cooking “stations” became a common feature. These put your oven, stove, and microwave all in one place, usually vertically stacked. Microwave ovens became more widespread in the late ‘70s, as that was when they became affordable. Having your “hot” equipment all in one section of the kitchen was considered a sensible solution for ‘70s architects.