FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Bruce Zalkin's antique Toy and Doll Buying show took place over the weekend in Fort Myers at the Hilton Garden Inn. Zalkin has been appraising toys, dolls and collectibles for over 40 years. He and his wife travel all over the country, looking for priceless playthings hidden away in America's homes.
"We go from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine and everywhere in between", he said.
Zalkin began collecting when he was a boy. Now, he appraises the items people bring to him during toy shows like the one in Fort Myers and sells them to other collectors.
Some of the more popular items coming in this weekend involve familiar faces from decades past.
"The most popular things would be Barbie dolls, hot wheels with the little red lines on them. Comic books are really huge right now."
Zalkin has also seen dolls going back to the 1800's and Tonka trucks from the 1970's. He says he's seen a wide range of toys, not all of them valuable.
"The only time it get’s sticky is when people look at old prices or price guage and they say, 'This should be $100’, and I go well its $20 now".
As for whether Zalkin will ever get tired of toys, he says that's not likely.
"Probably not. I told my wife I wanted to be out but she says we’re always going to be doing something with it."
