Nostalgia drives demand for ’80s favorites, ThunderCats

A set of circa-1980s hard copy prototypes of ThunderCats characters Lion-O and Snarf achieved $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in February 2021 at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
A set of circa-1980s hard copy prototypes of ThunderCats characters Lion-O and Snarf achieved $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in February 2021 at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
A set of circa-1980s hard copy prototypes of ThunderCats characters Lion-O and Snarf achieved $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in February 2021 at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK — If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember ThunderCats. The characters can evoke powerful feelings today, even among those who were only slightly familiar with the TV show and its wider franchise. The feeling is called nostalgia, and it’s probably the single biggest reason the collectibles market has been soaring as a whole during the last few years.

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