A quick mention of these characters reminds us of some of the popular programs and actors of the era. These shows also prompted the production of objects that have become, more than 50 years later, highly collectible, sought-after, and valuable.

In the 1970s, lunchboxes were at the height of their collectability, and those with printed images from TV shows were among the most popular. TV show characters offered recognizable visuals for these noontime catchalls.

Some of the more popular collectible 1970s lunchboxes include a Happy Days lunchbox featuring the Fonz and Richie Cunningham. The show focused on the social life of teenagers in the 1950s.

Another show illustrated on a lunchbox was The Munsters, which highlighted the life of a mysterious monster family living at 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

Other sitcom lunchboxes featuring shows like Laverne and Shirley range in value from $50 to $85 each on today’s collectibles market.

Other than lunchboxes, television shows also prompted the manufacture and marketing of numerous collectible action-figure toys, too.

A 1976 classroom playset made by Mattel Inc. from Welcome Back, Kotter featured the classroom teacher, Mr. Gabe Kotter, and his less-than-stellar students, the Sweathogs. The characters in the group of lovable Sweathogs were Vinny Barbarino, Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, Juan Epstein, and Arnold Horshack.

They were featured as action figures along with their teacher in the collectible classroom toy playset, complete with a carrying case so 1970s kids could bring the set to friends’ houses for playdates.

The playset consisted of five action figures, a vinyl classroom floor, and walls that folded into its carrying case. The playset also featured rarely read textbooks, notebooks, and binders; student desks covered in graffiti; a teacher’s desk; and a globe.

Today, the Welcome Back, Kotter classroom playset from the long-running sitcom commands $250 from collectors.

1970s action figures derived from animated cartoons that aired on Saturday mornings, like The New Adventures of Batman; Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!; Josie and the Pussycats; Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels; The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show (an offshoot of The Flintstones); Hong Kong Phooey; Jabberjaw; and others.

A Captain Caveman action figure in its original packaging by Hanna-Barbera is valued at $85 on the collectibles market now.

As I’ve explained many times, Americans collect in 50- and 100-year cycles, so the 1970s vibe is back with collectors looking for all types of 1970s memorabilia. The 1970s TV collectibles market is showing collectors a good investment.

When it comes to value, these middle-aged collectibles are holding their own in this age of YouTube TV and so many streaming services. As new characters emerge on the visual landscape, the characters and shows from a half century ago are still, as Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington would say, “looking good.”

Dr. Lori Verderame, who was kissed by the Fonz, is a Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality. Dr. Lori appears on Netflix’s King of Collectibles and History channel’s Pawn Stars Do America and The Curse of Oak Island. She presents her live stage show, Dr. Lori’s Antiques Appraisal Comedy Tour, at venues nationwide. See youtube.com/drloriv and drloriv.com or call (888) 431-1010.