A collection of rare, unopened Monkees toys, bought for just pence over half a century ago, is now expected to sell for more than £1,000 at a specialist auction. The four miniature plastic figurines have been preserved in pristine condition by their owner since she received them as a birthday gift in 1970.
A Childhood Treasure Preserved for Decades
The four-inch-tall Show Biz Babies models of the legendary pop group were a present from her elder brother for her 10th birthday. Mary Hegarty, now 64 and from Willenhall in the West Midlands, was a devoted fan and never removed the toys from their original packaging. "I was a huge fan of the Monkees," Mary recalled. "My sister and I watched the TV show every Saturday morning."
Her childhood admiration was intense. "I used to shout at the screen telling Micky Dolenz how much I loved him – how embarrassing!" she said. Her sister favoured Davy Jones, the group's recognised heartthrob. Mary's fandom even extended to writing to the official fan club to propose marriage to Dolenz when she grew up, and inscribing his name on her hand in pretend tattoo.
The Rarity and Value of 1960s Pop Memorabilia
The figurines are set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on Thursday, January 22, with a guide price of up to £1,200. However, experts believe they could command a considerably higher sum due to their exceptional condition and scarcity. Toy specialist David Wilson-Turner explained their significance: "Complete or carded Show Biz Babies' dolls of The Monkees are much scarcer than many other 1960s licensed toys."
The production run by Hasbro was notably short, lasting only from 1966 to 1967 before being discontinued. This makes finding examples still mounted on their original card, like Mary's set, a rare event on the collectors' market. "Today, for the Baby Boomer, they scream nostalgia," Wilson-Turner added.
The Legacy of The Monkees and Their Collectibles
The four-piece collection was part of a range of miniature collectible figures featuring vinyl heads, articulated only at the neck. Each was mounted on a backing card with distinctive psychedelic 1960s artwork and included a small flexible record with information about the performer.
The Monkees themselves were a television phenomenon, created for an NBC sitcom in 1966 after the members answered a newspaper advert. Despite their manufactured origins, they became a commercial powerhouse, even outselling The Beatles in 1967 with hits like I'm a Believer and Daydream Believer. Of the four original members, only Micky Dolenz, now 80 and living in Los Angeles, survives.
After safeguarding the dolls through every house move, storing them in her loft, Mary has decided the time is right to part with them. "It's time now for them to go to someone who will appreciate them more," she said. The auction will be conducted both at the Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom and online, offering global collectors a chance to own a pristine piece of pop culture history.
