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In this article:
- Squishmallows first came out in 2017 and were inspired by kawaii toys on the Japanese market. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, though, that they started enjoying massive popularity.
- Today, Squishmallows are sold almost everywhere, can be seen all over social media, and inhabit bedrooms all across the world.
- With their newfound popularity, a collectors’ market has emerged for Squishmallows. Here are the top 10 most valuable Squishmallows out there.
Part stuffed animal, part pillow, 100% deliciously squishy love. The Squishmallow craze is sweeping the globe and I, for one, am all in. These adorable little plushies first came on the market in 2017 when Jonathan Kelly, founder of Kelly Toys Holding LLC, visited Japan and became inspired by the kawaii toys on the Japanese market. However, Squishmallows really took cover in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, presumably, because all of us were devoid of social interaction, and cuddling up next to an adorable plushie was the next best thing.
Today, Squishmallows are perpetually trending on social media, they can be found in nearly any department store, and they inhabit the bedrooms of people from all demographics. Here I am, a heterosexual, cis-gender male, cuddling up next to Rou the rainbow-bellied Walrus as I write this article. And I love her as if there were a beating heart beneath her soft spandex exterior. Squishmallows are for all.
In fact, a collectors’ market has evolved from the massive popularity of Squishmallows. There are Reddit communities devoted to buying and selling Squishmallows where collectors search for rare editions to add to their collections. For some people, their Squishmallow obsession has grown to the point where they devote entire rooms in their homes to their squishy companions. And some people are willing to pay top-dollar for particularly rare Squishmallows.
So, in this article, we’re going to look at the 10 most valuable Squishmallows ever made. Would you pay several thousand dollars for a single Squishmallow? Apparently, some people would.
1. Fania the Purple Owl
Fania the Purple Owl lands as number one on this list, but she does come with an asterisk. Fania did, technically, fetch the highest price ever paid for a Squishmallow auction when someone snatched her up for $2,999 at auction (according to TXAntiqueMall.com). However, whoever paid that price probably feels like a real doofus because Fania was later put back into circulation and can now be purchased at Walmart for around $30.
Still, there’s no question that Fania is one beautiful bird. She sports a pink crown and has her eyes closed. Apparently, she enjoys a good fairytale (preferably involving a princess) as she drifts off to sleep.
2. Jack the Black Cat
Today, the rarest Squishmallow on the market is Jack the Black Cat. He was first unveiled as part of the Select Series of Squishmallows (a collection of limited edition Squishmallows) and only 500 Jack the Black Cat models were ever released to the public, which is denoted by the “500” on his left ear. These days, it’s not uncommon for Jack to sell for more than $2,000 on auction sites like eBay or OfferUp.
While Jack’s price tag is the most exorbitant out there, his design is pretty simple. He’s all black with some squinty eyes and a set of whiskers. According to his description, he likes to give back and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
3. Santino the Platypus
While Santino the Platypus is not a limited edition Squishmallow, he’s still one of the rarest and most valuable models out there. He’s part of the Down Under Squad which includes many of the iconic animals of Australia and New Zealand. While the dollar value of Santino continues to fall as more and more of him are produced, he often sells on auction sites for more than $900.
But, despite the decline in Santino’s dollar value, he will always remain invaluable to those who love him, partly because of his shining personality. Santino loves cooking pancakes (specifically blueberry pancakes) for his friends and playing soccer. Plus, his bill and paddle-like tail make him one of the most uniquely designed Squishmallows in existence.
4. Blossom the Sheep
Blosson the Sheep, a member of the Easter Squad, has one of the more detailed designs of any Squishmallow. With her embroidered wool poofs and the miniature rainbow in her hands, she’s got more going on than most. However, that’s not why she’s one of the most valuable Squishmallows out there.
Blossom was made as part of a limited-time partnership with retail brand Justice in 2018. No more Blossom editions will ever be produced, which has caused these plushies to increase in rarity and value. If you want to have your very own Blossom, you can expect to pay at least $800 on popular auction sites.
5. Heather the Dragonfly
Generally, when we think of stuffed animals, we don’t tend to think of insects. However, Heather the Dragonfly is undeniably cute with her sparkly rainbow wings, purple belly, and floppy antennas. She’s also able to overcome any obstacle in her life through the power of positivity.
You can find Heather the Dragonfly for fairly cheap online, except for the 16-inch model. For whatever reason, the 16-inch version of Heather was only produced in Canada, is extremely rare, and can sell for over $800 on sites like Mercari and eBay.
6. Marina the Cow
If you’ve ever played a claw machine at an arcade or a shopping mall, then you can begin to understand why Marina the Cow is so valuable. Marina was created as a Sugar Loaf exclusive, meaning that you could originally only get her by playing a Sugar Loaf claw machine. She is also the rarest of all the Hug Mees, a type of Squishmallow that’s shaped slightly differently than normal Squishmallows. For these reasons, Marina can sell for as much as $700 new and around $600 used.
A fun fact about Marina the Cow is that she looks nearly identical to Cliff the Cow. The only difference is that Cliff is slightly larger and comes with an “Easter Plush” tag instead of the “Hug Mees” tag that comes with Marina.
7. Philippe the Frog
As a member of the Valentine Squad, Philippe the Frog has an adorable heart under each one of his eyes. He also has a white belly and two bulging eyes on the top of his head. Since he was made as part of a special promotion for Valentine’s Day, Philippe is extremely rare and easily fetches prices north of $550 online.
However, if you’re looking to buy your own Philippe, make sure that you don’t accidentally buy a Wendy the Frog instead. The two models look identical apart from the hearts under Philippe’s eyes.
8. Avery the Duck
Personally, I find Avery the Duck to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing Squishmallows on the market due to his color palette and simplistic design. He’s also a double agent (as a member of both Adventure Squad and Farm Squad), which is pretty cool. He also plays rugby and loves to eat popsicles after a match.
If you want to add Avery to your own collection, you’re probably going to need at least $500. However, be careful when shopping online. As with most Squishmallows, there are plenty of people out there selling fake Avery the Duck models.
