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Barbies and Beanie Babies here, Luke Skywalker and Matchbox cars there, even Roy Rogers and Trigger were spotted. And everywhere in between: lunch boxes.

"I operate on the 10 to 20 rule," said collectible-toy dealer Gary Russell of Atlanta, Ga. His theory: If a kid loved something at age 10, he'll find it enticing 20 years later.

"You figure out what a kid played with when he was 10 years old, and when he's 30, he'll buy it back," said Mr. Russell, who brought his wares to this weekend's Box-O-Rama lunch-box collectors convention and toy show.

Clearly, these are toys for big kids: Only a couple of actual children were spotted shopping. One 10-year-old girl purchased a doll to give to her parents for their anniversary.

Box-O-Rama, in its sixth year, made its first Texas outing Friday and Saturday at the DFW Lakes Hilton in Grapevine.

Lunch-box collectors Larry and Pat Aikins of Athens, Texas, organized the event, which drew more than 100 dealers and collectors from across the country.

"They all say they will come back next year, so I'm thrilled," Ms. Aikins said." The Dallas area needed a good baby-boomer collectibles show." Mr. Aikins displayed several hundred boxes and thermoses from his collection of modern and antique kits along the walls of the hall. His collection contains more than 3,000 lunch boxes.

A large part of the fun and excitement of collecting is buying, selling and trading with other "boxers," Mr. Aikins said.

"I sold $10,700 worth of stuff off that wall yesterday," he told a North Richland Hills couple Saturday. Robert and Wendy Allen wanted to know how much a good-condition 1950s Lone Ranger lunch box might be worth.

"It was so perfect and pretty, I thought it had to be a new one," said Ms. Allen, who was surprised to learn that her $3 garage sale find is valued at $400.

A Friday night auction brought several high bids, albeit not on the level of Princess Diana's dress sale at Christie's in New York.

A mint-condition 1955 Annie Oakley box brought a hefty $850 bid from a New Yorker.

"Even though that seems pretty high, it really wasn't for this box," said collector Joe Partenopeof Staten Island, who said he has been looking for the right Annie for eight years.

"I've seen others in lesser condition. You can go years and years, and it just isn't there." Mr. Partenope, whose find conveniently coincided with his 61st birthday, said he likes the boxes for their artwork and for the nostalgia.

Practically every television show since the 1950s that was popular with lunch-box-carrying kids has been immortalized on a metal, vinyl or plastic kit.

Prissy Rorex, 27, came from Fairhope, Ala., to boost her lunch-box collection.

"I wanted to get every one I had as a kid," said Ms. Rorex, clutching a slightly battered 1954 box sporting Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck." This is the one I needed to complete it." This was her first hunt outside of Alabama flea markets and antique stores. She bagged about 100 boxes at the show, bringing her collection to about 240 pieces.

Even with her 19-year-old sister, Jessica Leavins, along to help her tote the haul, Ms. Rorex said, "I don't know how I'm going to get them home. We flew."

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