Table of Contents
- Why Vintage Cartoon Collectibles Are Perfect for Beginners
- 1. Roobarb & Custard "Custard Collage" Premium Art Print
- 2. Roobarb & Custard "Roobarb Collage" Premium Art Print
- 3. Roobarb 'Colour Pop' Limited Edition Mounted Print
- 4. Custard 'Colour Pop' Limited Edition Mounted Print
- 5. Custard Collage Mug
- Vintage Cartoon Figures and Collecting Vintage Toys for Beginners
- How to Identify Valuable Vintage Toys
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 5 October 2026
Why Vintage Cartoon Collectibles Are Perfect for Beginners
Vintage cartoon collectibles offer one of the friendliest entry points into collecting, because the pieces are affordable, widely available, and tied to memories most of us already hold. At Roobarb and Custard, we meet a lot of people in their forties, fifties and sixties who want to reconnect with the wobbly, hand-drawn animation they grew up with. The appeal is simple: you are not chasing investment returns, you are buying back a feeling.
Beginners often assume collecting requires deep pockets or expert knowledge. It does not. The best starting point is a character you genuinely love, in a format you will actually use or display. Official merchandise from the original rights holders gives you authenticity, consistent quality, and a clear paper trail, which matters more than rarity when you are just starting out.
Below, we walk through five beginner-friendly pieces from the Roobarb and Custard range, each one low-risk, well made, and easy to live with. We also explain how to spot genuine vintage cartoon figures and how to care for what you buy.
1. Roobarb & Custard "Custard Collage" Premium Art Print
The "Custard Collage" print is the easiest first purchase in the range, and at £9.99 it removes almost all the risk from your decision. It gathers eight iconic expressions of Custard, from manic belly laughs to deeply suspicious glares, across a grid design finished with the classic show logo.
Pros: printed on heavyweight 280gsm satin white media rather than flimsy poster stock, available framed in matt black or matt white with a glass front, strut back and wall hook, and printed in the UK. Cons: the 11x14 inch size suits a desk or smaller wall rather than a large statement space.
It is the right choice if you want something on the wall this week without spending much.
2. Roobarb & Custard "Roobarb Collage" Premium Art Print
Where the Custard print leans sarcastic, the "Roobarb Collage" celebrates pure chaotic optimism. It collects the green dog's most manic expressions, from the spark of a wildly ambitious garden shed invention to the wide-eyed moment things go spectacularly wrong.
The specification matches its companion piece: 280gsm satin white media, eco-friendly stock, and a choice of matt black or white frame with a glass front, strut back and hook. It is also £9.99, and the printing and framing are completed in the UK.
Pros: vivid green tones that hold up well on the heavier paper, and a design that works in a home office or hallway. Cons: if you want both characters, buying the pair costs slightly more than a single print, though still under £20.
3. Roobarb 'Colour Pop' Limited Edition Mounted Print
The 'Colour Pop' prints are where the collection steps up. This one is a 40x50cm mounted art print at £75.00, featuring behind-the-scenes character sketches and full body poses of Roobarb, with his signature green standing out against monochrome sketch lines.
What makes it different is scarcity. The run is strictly limited to 100 prints worldwide, printed in the UK on 280gsm satin white media and presented in a gentle off-white mount board.
Pros: gallery-ready presentation, a genuine limited edition, and a size that fills a wall properly. Cons: at £75.00 it is a considered purchase rather than an impulse buy, and once the run sells out it will not be reprinted.
4. Custard 'Colour Pop' Limited Edition Mounted Print
Custard gets the same treatment here, and for many fans this is the better of the two. The design uses authentic character sketches showing Custard in human mode, capturing him sniggering, huffy and mocking in turn, with his vivid pink popping against the black and white linework.
The specification is identical to the Roobarb edition: 40x50cm, 280gsm satin white media, off-white mount board, printed in the UK, and limited to 100 prints. It is also £75.00.
Pros: the strongest character piece in the range for anyone whose loyalty sits with the cat, and a guaranteed conversation starter. Cons: the same scarcity cuts both ways, so if you hesitate the run may close.
| Item | Price | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custard Collage Print | £9.99 | 11x14 inch, framed option | First-time buyers |
| Roobarb Collage Print | £9.99 | 11x14 inch, framed option | Pairing as a set |
| Roobarb Colour Pop Print | £75.00 | 40x50cm, mounted | Statement wall pieces |
| Custard Colour Pop Print | £75.00 | 40x50cm, mounted | Cat fans and collectors |
| Custard Collage Mug | £14.99 | 11oz ceramic | Everyday use |
5. Custard Collage Mug
Not every collectible needs to sit on a shelf. The Custard Collage Mug is an 11oz ceramic piece at £14.99, covered in a collage of Custard's cheekiest moments from the 1970s series.
Roobarb & Custard "Custard Collage" Premium Art Print →
What separates it from a novelty mug is the finish. It is coated in the UK with a Duraglaze finish and independently tested to BS EN 12875-4 standards, which covers the durability of decorative surfaces on ceramic ware. That testing supports a claim of more than 2,000 washes without the print fading, and the mug is microwave-friendly and dishwasher proof.
Pros: genuinely usable every day, officially licensed, and a safe gift if you are unsure of someone's taste in art prints. Cons: at 11oz it is a standard capacity, so if you favour a very large mug this may feel modest.
Vintage Cartoon Figures and Collecting Vintage Toys for Beginners
Collecting vintage toys for beginners works best when you start with officially licensed, currently produced merchandise rather than hunting original 1970s items. Original vintage cartoon figures from that era are scarce, often played with and damaged, and hard to verify. Modern official pieces give you the same nostalgia with none of the guesswork.
A sensible approach for a new collector:
- Pick one character or show and stay with it for the first year
- Buy from the official shop or a licensed retailer, not a marketplace listing
- Keep packaging, receipts and any certificates together
- Store paper items flat and out of direct sunlight
- Start with lower-cost pieces before committing to limited editions
That last point matters. A beginner who spends £75.00 on a limited print before learning what they actually like often ends up with something that does not fit their home. Buy the £9.99 print first, live with it for a month, then decide.
How to Identify Valuable Vintage Toys
Value in vintage toys comes down to four things: authenticity, condition, completeness and demand. A piece that is genuine, undamaged, complete with its original packaging, and sought after by a defined group of collectors will always outperform a rarer piece that is tatty or unverifiable.
Authenticity is the one beginners get wrong most often. Look for the official licence mark or brand name printed on the item or its packaging, check that the artwork matches known official designs, and be wary of sellers who cannot show where an item came from. If a listing describes something as official but shows no branding, treat that as a warning rather than a bargain.
Condition is the second filter. Fading, chips, creases and water damage all reduce value sharply, and on paper items such as prints, foxing and edge wear are the usual culprits. Completeness matters most for sets and boxed items, where a missing piece can halve what a collector will pay.
Demand is the part you cannot control. A character with a devoted fan base will hold interest; an obscure one may not, however old it is. For anyone starting out, buying what you personally enjoy is the safest strategy, because even if it never rises in value you still have something you want to own.
Building a collection gets complicated fast if you chase rarity before you know your own taste. Roobarb and Custard makes it straightforward by offering officially licensed merchandise direct from the source, from the £9.99 collage art prints through to the limited edition 40x50cm mounted pieces and the everyday ceramic mugs. Every item is authentic, made to last, and designed for fans who want the wobbly charm of the original series in their homes rather than in a storage box. Start with one piece you will actually display, and let the collection grow from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vintage cartoon collectibles are best for beginners?
Beginners should start with items that are readily available, affordable, and easy to display. Art prints from the official Roobarb and Custard shop start at £9.99, while mugs are £14.99. These pieces are officially licensed, arrive in pristine condition, and don't require the specialist knowledge needed for antique figures. They let you enjoy the nostalgia immediately without worrying about authenticity or restoration.
How can I tell whether a vintage cartoon collectible is authentic?
Buy directly from official brand shops whenever possible. For Roobarb and Custard, items like the Custard Collage Mug are coated in the UK with a Duraglaze finish tested to BS EN 12875-4 standards, and the art prints use 280gsm satin white media. Authentic pieces carry the official show logo and come with proper product descriptions. Avoid unverified marketplace listings that lack clear licensing information or official branding.
Are vintage cartoon toys worth collecting?
They can be, especially if they are officially licensed and in good condition. Limited edition pieces tend to hold value better. For example, the Roobarb and Custard 'Colour Pop' mounted prints are strictly limited to 100 worldwide, which adds collectible appeal. Beginners should focus on items they genuinely enjoy rather than speculating on future value, as the nostalgia factor is the main reward.
How do I store and display vintage cartoon collectibles?
Keep items away from direct sunlight and damp conditions. Art prints should be framed behind glass to prevent fading and dust damage. Coasters with cork backing should be wiped clean with a damp cloth rather than soaked. Mugs are dishwasher safe and microwave friendly. Display pieces where you can enjoy them daily, such as a home office shelf or living room wall.
Do original packaging and paperwork affect a collectible's value?
Yes, original packaging and certificates of authenticity can significantly increase a collectible's value. For limited edition items like the Roobarb and Custard 'Colour Pop' prints, keeping the original mount board and any accompanying documentation helps prove authenticity and condition. If you plan to resell or pass items on, store packaging carefully in a dry, flat place away from sunlight.