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by Chris Cummins

This story is part of an editorial series presented by eBay.

Music is so much more than the soundtrack of our collective experiences; it serves so many crucial and often underappreciated roles in our lives. It can act as a balm when we are at our lowest, giving us hope through melody and lyrics written by strangers who somehow captured in amber exactly what we were feeling—a gentle reminder that we are not alone, that someone cares. Conversely, music can get us pumped up before a big event—be it a night out or a championship game. At its best, music makes us (if only temporarily) put aside our differences to enjoy a song or a performer who has the truly magical ability to unite.

It’s no wonder, then, that so many of us are obsessed with music and choose to surround ourselves with it 24/7. And not just in terms of buying digital music or physical media such as LPs or CDs, but with collectibles that serve a totemistic purpose as reminders of how music has helped shape who we are as a society. With that in mind, here is an overview of the most incredible music collectibles available on eBay… with a Den of Geek twist.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Expanded Edition) | ($75-$200)

In the aftermath of Andor’s fantastic first season, we’ve found ourselves devouring anything and everything Rogue One-related. This is certainly the case with Mondo’s lavish 4LP set of music that Michael Giacchino crafted for the film, much of it gathered here for the first time on 180-gram black vinyl.

Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” remains one of the defining songs of the 1980s. Weirdly enough, it was such a sensation that it spawned a truly bizarre piece of spin-off merchandise, a telephone that plays the song when a call comes through. That would be wondrous in and of itself, but the Karma Chameleon telephone struts the extra mile into Crazytown by featuring a lizard whose stomach lights up (red, gold, and green—the colors mentioned in the tune, natch) and, for reasons best left unexamined, a ladybug who plays the earworm’s harmonica solo. This truly bonkers piece of merch was sanctioned by Boy George, who appears in the phone’s jaw-dropping ad. (Watch it on YouTube, trust us.) Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams, and with this phone, they are. Astonishing.

Slightly understating things, the packaging for LJN’s Michael Jackson doll calls him a “superstar of the 1980s.” At the time of its release in the early 1980s, no one could have predicted the tragedy of Jackson’s future, so this product serves as a physical representation of a more innocent time. LJN had such a hit with this toy that they offered other outfits for it. As you may have guessed though, it’s his “Thriller” ensemble that remains both the most available and desirable on the secondary market.

At this point, we feel obligated to tell you that in 1984, LJN Toys released a Boy George doll. (We swear this list will feature nonCulture Club products). It was a modest seller but nowhere near as popular as LJN’s other rock doll…

The Last of Us: Original Score Vols. 1 & 2

($150-$350)

Thanks to the current HBO series starring Pedro Pascal, everything related to The Last of Us is exploding in interest and value. Case in point, Mondo’s stunningly beautiful packaging of Gustavo Santaolalla’s score for the game. Featuring art from fanfavorite Sam Wolfe Connelly, this four-record set captures all of the unsettling soundscapes from the game. A word to the wise, grab this while you can, as Mondo releases tend to skyrocket in price.

Robert Smith Funko POP! | ($30-$50)

Originally a Hot Topic exclusive, this hard-to-find Funko POP! of The Cure frontman Robert Smith is styled after his Boys Don’t Cry-era look, making this a must-have item for once and future goths everywhere.

Morrissey Funko POP!

($20-$35)

If you were more into The Smiths than The Cure, you’ll be pleased to know that Funko offers a POP! of Morrissey, inspired by his gladiolawaving period of the 1980s (i.e., before the band broke up and he became an embarrassment/object of derision due to his increasingly bad politics).