From Boo Buckets to Batman Glasses: McDonald’s Vintage Magic

At a yard sale a few years back, I found an entire book devoted to McDonalds drinkware.

As I flipped through 250 full-color pages reminiscing about such gems as the “Batman Forever” glasses from 1995 I realized: McDonald’s collectors are real serious. 

Michael J. Kelly’s “McDonald’s Drinkware Identification & Value Guide Book” from 2005 has not spawned a new edition -- sigh -- but devotion to McDonalds collectibles survives. 

McDonalds has leaned into the nostalgia in recent years, bringing back its Boo Buckets as well as cups and glasses commemorating beloved collectibles from McDonald’s of yesteryear. It’s been a smart call based on the subsequent high demand and eye-popping resale prices of these items. McDonald’s now even produces Adult Happy Meals; the 2023 version, a collaboration with artist Kerwin Frost, saw the return of the McNugget Buddies.  

McDonald’s super collector Bobby Beauchesne has amassed a following of 42K+ on Instagram by the daily sharing of old ads, historical photos and images from his collection. Plus, a 2018 auction of Ronald McDonald and McDonaldland artwork and prototypes brought in $147K at Heritage Auctions. The first Ronald McDonald McDonaldland statue, installed in 1971 in Chula Vista, Calif., sold for $5K. 

Will Mickey D’s engender such strong nostalgia for today’s kids? Maybe not based on the endurance of this meme:

So, I’m on Bluesky -- I only recently discovered that it’s not pronounced Blue-ski -- sharing nostalgic news, finds and observations.

More nostalgia

⚓️Got an idea for an angsty teen drama centered on a young Popeye and Olive Oyl? You have the green light! Popeye is among the characters and creative works turning 95 this year and becoming public domain under U.S. copyright law, reports CBS News. Belgian comic “The Adventures of Tintin” is also now fair game. In recent years, the introduction of beloved characters into the public domain has spawned the low-budget horror flicks “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Screamboat,” which draws from the “Steamboat Willie” era of Mickey Mouse. There are already two horror versions of Popeye in the works, according to Bloody Disgusting. You can watch the extremely graphic trailer for “Popeye the Slayer Man” here. 

💿What’s it take to breathe new life into an old song? Get featured in a blockbuster or become a viral trend on TikTok. Simple as that. Stacker compiled a list of 20 oldies that became hits again at least 10 years after the initial release. Other than new film/TV exposure and TikTok rebirth, a performers death could also send music climbing the Billboard charts, according to the article. Recent resurgences include: Rockwell’s hit "Somebody's Watching Me" trending at Halloween on TikTok, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” being pivotal in Season 4 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” and Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" and “Under Pressure” getting a jolt from the 2018 film about the band. 

🥜Planters has a nutty proposition: A $45,000 salary to the person willing to travel the country in a giant peanut. Planters is currently hiring three drivers of the NUTmobile, sweetening the deal with money for travel expenses, meal stipends, health insurance and retirement benefits, according to Fortune. Drivers act as ambassadors, promoting the brand at public events and through media engagement. The first nut car hit the road in 1935 after an intrepid salesman built one, according to a timeline from Planters. If you don’t want to get quite so nutty, you can buy a Planters tie and peanut cufflinks set or a Cheez Balls retro tee.

Cool creator  

Sage the Collector rips packs of basketball cards three times a week on YouTube, in search of modern stars like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards. The wrappers are flying as Sage hopes to find limited runs, autographs and other valuable cards taking his audience along for the wins and losses. Occasionally, Sage will go back in time opening packs from the 1990s in search of Michael Jordan cards. These cards are from the “junk wax era,” a time of overproduction that led to much-hyped “collectibles” of little value but a lot of fond memories. Sage digs in with enthusiasm, revisiting the joy of a youth spent collecting our sports heroes on cardboard. He recently completed the 47th round of his “Jordan Hunt, and we’ll be watching, cheering him on when its time for 48.

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