Lunchbox Collecting

Take a look at these lunchboxes and see what they've sold for at online auctions.

• Picture and Price Gallery

The annual editions of Toys and Prices lists the top ten Lunch Boxes in prices. This list is for top-quality lunch boxes in mint condition.

1. Superman (Universal, 1954) -- $13,500
2. 240 Robert (Aladdin, 1978) -- $4,200
3. Toppie Elephant (American Thermos, 1957) -- $3,200
4. Underdog (Okay Industries, 1974) -- $2,500
5. Dudley Do-Right (Universal, 1962) -- $2,200
6. Jetson's Dome (Aladdin, 1963) -- $1,650
7. Beatles (Aladdin, 1966) -- $1,600
8. Bullwinkle & Rocky (Universal, 1962) -- $1,600
9. Star Trek Dome (Aladdin, 1968) -- $1,450
10. Knight in Armor (Universal, 1959) -- $1,250

Courtesy of Krause Publications

Sure, you can stick your stuff on a shelf or in a display cabinet and perhaps that's the best place to keep the real valuable collectibles. But I've always loved to use my stuff as much as possible in everyday life and many times I wind up using it in a different way than was originally intended. It's a way to have fun with your collectibles.

• Different Uses for Your Lunchbox Beside Lunch!

How cool is this? When astronaut Steve Robinson blasted off into outer space (2005), he carried his "astronaut" tools in a Tom Corbett Space Cadet lunch box aboard the Discovery.

I love the fact that he didn't just put the lunch box on a shelf, he uses it despite the fact that it has earthbound value of around $350.

Note: Lunchbox auction price is also shown in the Picture and Price Gallery.