Feed Your Inner Child's Collecting Hobby

Hey there, Collectors.

The first-ever Fanatics Fest kicks off this weekend in New York. If you’ll be there, post about your experience on our dedicated event feed. And if you won’t be there, check the event feed to quell your FOMO.

Our team will be in New York and would love to say hi if you spot us in Mantel gear.

Now let’s get into it.

Happy Meals For Happy Collectors

On Tuesday, McDonald’s unveiled an initiative playing right into the nostalgic hearts (and wallets) of millenials. The “Collector’s Meals” pay homage to the Happy Meals of yesteryear and the toys that came with them, including the 2000 Hello Kitty keychain and 1993 Hot Wheels dragster. Retro Mickey D’s icons like Grimace are featured as well. A Mantel user secured cups featuring Shrek, Minions and Jurassic Park. 

Read more about the collection’s cups (and the associated meal options) in USA Today.

Cassettes’ Comeback

Staying on the topic of millennial nostalgia, we’re seeing yet again that physical media is on the rise as a collectible. Although prior generations have criticized cassettes for their poor sound quality, Gen Z seems to appreciate that same ruggedness. A former cassette label owner told the Wall Street Journal that tapes “are a cash cow now. It’s another format to get you up the charts and milk money from people.”

Check out the WSJ article if you want to reminisce on what it’s like to wind back the ribbon of a cassette with a pencil.

Willie Mays Rookie Card Sets Record

A 1951 Willie Mays rookie Bowman card sold on Sunday with Robert Edward Auctions for $390,934.80, a new record for Mays rookie cards via public auction. Eight ‘51 Mays Bowman cards have been graded higher than the one that sold Sunday, and none have gone to public auction since 2009, when a PSA 9 copy sold for $65,725. Following Mays’ passing earlier this summer, could we be seeing a shift in the market for his collectibles?

Find all the details about this latest sale at cllct.

Iconic Steve McQueen Watch Hits Market After 50-Year Wait

In 1970, Heuer sent six Monaco watches to Steve McQueen on the set of Le Mans, and four were fitted with leather bracelets — the variant McQueen wore in the film. Three of those four watches have already gone to public auction, but the fourth is hitting the public market for the first time on December 11 with Sotheby’s New York. Estimates place the value between $500,000-$1 million. A mechanic on the set of Le Mans previously purchased this watch after the movie finished shooting, and according to GQ, that mechanic, who wore the watch for 40 years, later worked for McLaren and was part of a 1971 Indy 500 team. 

For enthusiasts of both cars and watches, it’s hard to think of a more prestigious crown jewel.

Indy Motor Speedway Supporting Endowment Through Auctions

Speaking of Le Mans and the Indy 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum plans to sell 11 competition cars dating from 1906-1966 – and if the price tags don’t catch your eyes, these cars’ sleek builds will. A ‘54 Mercedes Streamliner is estimated to sell for as much as $70 million, as it was driven by racing icons Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss (and, yeah, also because it looks incredible). Other highlights include a ‘64 Ferrari that was driven in the actual Le Mans 24 Hours race three times (winning once), and a ‘57 Corvette with a magnesium body.

CNN has more photos of these sweet rides.