Back in the Drawer: Stamps, Stickers, and the Nostalgia Market
There’s a long-forgotten drawer at home that still holds an album of stickers from childhood—waiting to be filled or rediscovered. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Nostalgia has sparked a resurgence in eighties music, pre-90s films, and the habit of collecting. In the first four months of 2023, demand for second‑hand collectibles rose by 56% compared with the same period the year before, according to Milanuncios. April marked the strongest surge, with sales up 108% for this category. Trading cards climbed 161% year over year, while badges and comics rose 140% and 110% respectively. Thumbnails and posters also gained traction, increasing 81% and 72% compared with the previous year. These trends place collectibles at the center of cultural conversation once again, drawing more enthusiasts into the market.
Appearances can be misleading. What seems like a slow market actually has a loyal following that keeps expanding. In 2022 this sector represented a value exceeding 79.6 million euros, and by the end of April 2023, around 68% of that annual figure had already been realized. The most sought-after items include comics, football cards, Pokémon cards, and Captain Thunder, with more than 195,000 new advertisements appearing over the course of a year. In the realm of collectible football stickers, Messi remains the top name, a holdover from years past that still resonates with fans.
The Pikachu craze is also thriving on second-hand platforms around the world. In Japan, for instance, authorities recently restricted purchases of such items for young children’s amusement. The classic world of comics continues to attract buyers, thanks to iconic characters like Captain Thunder, Tintin, Mortadelo, and Filemón. Despite inflation pressures, comic prices declined by 38% in April compared with the same month last year, illustrating how market forces can move in unexpected ways.
Collectible Miniatures and Coins
Related news
For collectors, miniature scales of cars and trucks have become essential, with detailed recreations attracting keen interest. Well-known brands like Warhammer and Hot Wheels remain influential, according to Milanuncios data. Motion pictures, television shows, and video games continue to drive demand for figures from franchises such as Star Wars and Funko Pop, which regularly release new models aligned with the latest media developments. The miniature segment saw prices rise by 38% in April compared with the same month a year earlier. Meanwhile, coins maintain strong appeal due to the historical and economic significance attached to notes and currencies from specific years. In April alone, coins stood out as the most sought-after item among all categories.
In an economic climate like today, the used market serves as a practical option for sellers to recover investments and for buyers to secure coveted items that may have been out of reach. This perspective comes from Íñigo Vallejo, a Milanuncios spokesperson. The platform, which specializes in buying and selling, highlights a marketplace where collectors can find the best options on mobile apps, with the added advantage of communicating with sellers located across the country and expanding search reach to locate the long-awaited piece.