17 Retro Fan Club Merch That You Can’t Get Anymore
Many fan clubs once gave away exclusive merchandise that is no longer available today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Before the internet changed everything, fan clubs were a popular way for people to connect with their favorite shows, movies, and celebrities. Members often received unique items like pins, posters, or magazines that were never sold in stores. This list highlights 17 pieces of official fan club merchandise that are now impossible to find through normal channels.
1. Star Wars Fan Club Posters (1970s–1980s)
KAMiKAZOW on Wikimedia Commons
The official Star Wars Fan Club mailed out special posters to its members. These included early designs and concept art not available anywhere else. Many were folded and sent in envelopes along with newsletters. They were not reprinted after the club shut down, and originals are rare today.
2. The Monkees Fan Club Card (1960s)
Colgems Records on Wikimedia Commons
Joining The Monkees fan club came with a personalized membership card. It featured the band’s logo and the member’s name in print. These cards were mailed with welcome kits and sometimes included autographs. They stopped being issued when the club closed after the group’s popularity faded.
3. Michael Jackson Fan Club Buttons (1980s)
Zoran Veselinovic on Wikimedia Commons
Official fan clubs sent out collectible buttons with each new album or tour. Some featured special images or logos not used in stores. These buttons were only available to registered members. Since the clubs no longer operate, these items are not being produced again.
4. Barbie Magazine and Club Kit (1990s)
Mattel / Warner Bros on Wikimedia Commons
The Barbie fan club offered a yearly kit with a magazine, stickers, and a pink membership card. It included stories, games, and behind-the-scenes features about doll releases. The printed kits were sent by mail and changed every year. The club eventually went digital, and these physical kits were discontinued.
5. X-Files Secret Decoder (1990s)
Fox Broadcasting Company on Wikimedia Commons
Members of The X-Files fan club received a plastic decoder wheel to read hidden messages in the newsletter. It was a unique item made just for fans. It came with a set of puzzles and clues related to the show. The decoder was never sold in stores and has not been made again.
6. Disney Afternoon Fan Club Kit (1990s)
Disney Enterprises, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
Fans of the Disney Afternoon TV block could join a mail-in fan club. The kit included a certificate, stickers, and a pin with characters like Darkwing Duck or Chip and Dale. It was aimed at younger fans and only offered for a few years. Once the shows ended, the club and its items were no longer offered.
7. Prince Fan Club Vinyl Singles (1990s)
Christopher Bahn on Wikimedia Commons
Prince’s fan club sometimes mailed exclusive vinyl singles to members. These songs were not released to the general public and featured special artwork. The records came with newsletters and were limited in number. Once Prince changed how he released music, this practice stopped.
8. He-Man Power Sword Certificate (1980s)
Filmation on Wikimedia Commons
The He-Man fan club sent out a “Power of Grayskull” certificate with a shiny stamp. It declared the child an official defender of Eternia. It came rolled in a tube along with stickers and a poster. These items were never sold in stores and only came with the club package.
9. Beatles USA Fan Club Christmas Records (1960s)
United Press International on Wikimedia Commons
The Beatles’ official fan club in the US mailed Christmas-themed vinyl records each year. The records featured the band speaking directly to fans and performing holiday songs. These were pressed in very limited numbers. After the band broke up, no more were produced.
10. Sailor Moon Fan Club Letter Set (1990s Japan)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
In Japan, the official Sailor Moon club sent out letter sets with matching paper, envelopes, and stamps featuring characters. These sets changed by season and were never released outside the club. They were especially popular among school-aged fans. The items are no longer made and rarely seen outside collector markets.
11. Ninja Turtles Fan Club Patch (1980s)
Viacom International Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles club mailed out a cloth patch with the team’s logo. Members could sew it onto jackets or bags. It came with a certificate and a comic mini-poster. The original patch was discontinued when the club stopped offering physical kits.
12. Hanson Fan Club VHS Tapes (1990s)
Grapepinky on Wikimedia Commons
The Hanson fan club mailed VHS tapes with behind-the-scenes content and messages from the band. These were made specifically for fan club members and were not sold in stores. Some featured early music videos or interviews. The tapes stopped once the fan club moved online.
13. Pokémon Trainer Badge Set (Late 1990s)
Nintendo on Wikimedia Commons
The official Pokémon club gave out a set of collectible trainer badges made from plastic. Each badge matched a gym leader from the games. The set came in a display case as part of the welcome package. These badges were discontinued after the club switched to an online-only model.
14. Twin Peaks Welcome Letter (1990s)
Pacific Title and Art Studio on Wikimedia Commons
The Twin Peaks fan club sent a typed welcome letter signed with a fake FBI seal. It included a fictional case file and membership card styled like government documents. The package fit the theme of the show and added to the mystery. Once the original series ended, the club and its contents were discontinued.
15. NSYNC Fan Club Dog Tag (2000s)
RCA Records on Wikimedia Commons
Fans who joined NSYNC’s official fan club received a metal dog tag engraved with the band’s name. It came on a chain and was packaged with stickers and a photo booklet. The design changed slightly each year. Once the band went on hiatus, the club shut down and stopped mailing items.
16. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ring (1990s)
Mutant Enemy & 20th Century Fox Television on Wikimedia Commons
The official Buffy fan club gave out a ring styled like something from the show. It came in a velvet pouch with a welcome letter. The ring was only available through mail and not in retail stores. After the series ended, the ring was never made again.
17. Harry Potter Fan Club Wand Certificate (Early 2000s)
Ank Kumar on Wikimedia Commons
Some early members of the Harry Potter fan club received a printed certificate assigning them a fictional wand. It included the wand’s core and wood type and was mailed in a scroll format. It was designed to feel like an official Hogwarts document. The certificate was eventually removed from the kit as the club expanded online.