Common Vintage Items That Collectors Will Pay for
Having a clean out? Well, before you start taking things down to the thrift store, check online to see if they’re actually worth anything. You might be very surprised – and you might also walk away a lot richer if you play your cards right. Here are 35 things you may not have thought twice about, but are worth something now.
Vintage Tupperware
Believe it or not, those pastel-colored Tupperware containers from the ‘60s and ‘70s are hot collectibles now. Some rare pieces can sell for $50 or more apiece. What can we say? People just really like slices of nostalgia, especially if they’re still practical.
Rotary Phones
Remember when phones had cords, and made that famous ringing sound? Vintage rotary phones are now trendy home decor items, because people snap them up for retro-themed spaces. If it still works, or even just looks cool, collectors will pay.
Typewriters
Typewriters may be old tech now, but they were very aesthetically pleasing. And the fact that they look so cool makes them hot collector’s items. People buy them not to use, but to display. Famous actor Tom Hanks reportedly has a huge collection!
Cast Iron Cookware
Old cast iron skillets were built to last forever, and kitchen-loving collectors adore them for that. Brands like Griswold and Wagner Ware are especially valuable, with some rare pans going for hundreds. Even rusty ones can be cleaned and sold.
VHS Tapes
Yes, really. Not all VHS tapes are valuable, but certain out-of-print movies, iconic horror flicks, or old Disney “Black Diamond” editions can fetch surprising amounts. Some rare titles have even sold for hundreds on eBay – though bear in mind you have to be really lucky to encounter something that expensive.
First-Gen Video Game Consoles
Still have your old Nintendo, Sega Genesis, or even an Atari tucked away? These early gaming consoles are collector gold to many people, especially if you’ve got the original box and controllers. It’s hard to part with them sometimes, but think of the money.
Milk Glass Dishes
That white, opaque glassware your great-aunt loved? It’s called milk glass, and it’s having a moment now. Look for pieces with intricate patterns or colored accents, especially those by Fire-King or Fenton, and you could find yourself several dollars richer.
Pyrex Dishes
That old glass mixing bowl set your grandma used? It might be worth hundreds today - especially if it's part of a rare Pyrex pattern like “Lucky in Love” or “Gooseberry.” Collectors are crazy for Pyrex these days, so try putting yours on eBay.
Costume Jewelry
One person’s tacky is another person’s treasure. Go through your Grandma’s jewelry box (er, with her permission) and there might be many older pieces hiding in there that collectors and jewelry-lovers will pay big bucks for.
Old Tins
Those colorful tins that once held coffee or cookies are now collector favorites. If the graphics are still in good shape, some of these old containers can even fetch around $200 or more. Don’t ever throw them away without checking eBay first!
Mid-Century Modern Furniture
That elegant coffee table or funky dresser your parents bought in the ‘60s? It’s probably worth way more now than it was back then, because mid-century modern furniture has looped round to be very popular again. Some pieces could even go for hundreds potentially.
Old Board Games
Vintage board games - especially from the ‘50s through the ‘80s - can be surprisingly valuable. A complete game of “Fireball Island” or a vintage “Clue” or “Monopoly” set can bring in serious money. Just absolutely make sure you have all the pieces intact first.
Retro Lunchboxes
These were all the rage once upon a time and now they’re back in fashion. If you’ve still got one from the ‘70s or ‘80s, especially with the matching thermos, you could be holding onto $100 or more. Popular themes like Star Wars, Scooby-Doo, or The Beatles are especially valuable.
Old Holiday Decorations
So many people throw out their old holiday decorations without considering that they could be worth something. Go through yours and see if there’s any really old-looking pieces in the box. If so, collectors might pay a pretty penny for them.
Manual Coffee Grinders
Antique grinders, especially those with cast iron components, are seriously in demand among coffee lovers and fans of vintage kitchenware. Working models fetch even more. If it’s functional and stylish, you’re in luck.
Vintage Cameras
That old Canon, Nikon, or Polaroid camera stuffed in a drawer could be worth something now. Film photography is making a comeback, and collectors love well-preserved cameras. If your cameras still work and you have the cases, you could make yourself next month’s rent money.
Depression Glass
Depression glass is glassware produced during the Great Depression, and there’s a lot of it still about. Maybe your grandmother had some that you could sell on. Popular colors like pink, green, and cobalt blue fetch the highest prices, especially if there are no chips or cracks.
Vinyl Records
If you’ve got a crate of old LPs hiding in the attic, now’s the time to flip through them – they’re very much back in fashion. The Beatles, Elvis, and early rock are always in demand, but some people will pay top dollar for anything that adds to their collection.
Barware and Cocktail Sets
Vintage cocktail shakers, decanters, and bar sets from the ‘50s and ‘60s are back in style, thanks in part to the show Mad Men starring Jon Hamm. If you find one while going through your grandparents’ house, definitely make sure you keep it nice.
Pocket Watches
Sure, people don’t keep watches in their pockets ever since smartphones were invented, but a vintage pocket watch can be worth quite a bit. Collectors look for unique engravings, working mechanisms, and quality brands like Elgin or Waltham.
Old Tools
That rusty wrench or wooden-handled screwdriver in your shed might be useless to you, but some people will pay good money for them. Antique tools are big with tool buffs and vintage decor fans alike these days – they either use them to make new things or put them on display.
Sewing Machines
Those heavy, Victorian-looking Singer sewing machines from the early 1900s are beautiful and collectible, especially the treadle-style ones. There’s probably a seamstress out there who would love to take your one off your hands and maybe even create a beautiful dress with it.
Retro Kitchen Timers
Now that people don’t sell kitchen timers anymore, there’s a market for them. If it’s cool-looking and still functional, someone probably wants it sitting on their shelf or in their vintage-themed café. Nothing is too small not to sell when having a clear-out!
Ceramic Planters
Those old-fashioned animal-shaped or pastel-colored ceramic planters that once held houseplants are back in style. They were once cheap thrift store items, but now they’re sought-after collectibles, so it’s time to go through your garage and dig them out.
Pokemon Cards
Your parents might have collected Pokemon cards in the 90s, and now they’re collector’s items. The shiny cards especially can go for a lot of money if you know what you’re doing. Who would have thought those cute little critters would be so financially useful?
Oil Lamps
There may be no genies hiding in your grandma’s old lamp, but it still could sell well. If it still works and is in good condition, try putting it on eBay – you might be surprised at what you could get for something so old.
Metal Fans
Somewhere there’s someone who could be the biggest fan of your fan. The older metal ones may not be very safe by today’s standards, but collectors of vintage stuff love them and you could easily sell one on to someone looking to decorate their house with old tech.
Old Maps and Globes
Outdated maps and globes might seem useless, but collectors love them for the artwork and historical value. Don’t throw away that old globe that labels countries that don’t exist anymore, someone out there may well really want it.
Film Projectors and Reels
If you’ve got an old Super 8 or 16mm projector - and a few reels to go with it - there’s definitely a market. Film buffs and vintage tech collectors love these throwbacks to the movie scene of the ‘80s. Even if it doesn’t run perfectly anymore, it might still sell for display or parts.
Vintage LEGO Sets
Still got that old box of LEGO bricks from the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s? Don’t toss it - some vintage sets are worth serious money, especially if they’re complete and come with the original box. Classic themes like Space, Castle (this was the one with the ghost!), or Pirates are big favorites.
Wall Clocks
As soon as smartphones were invented, no-one needed wall clocks anymore. But that just made them all the more popular for vintage lovers. If you have a ‘80s era wall clock that still works, there might be multiple people who could take them off your hands.
Antique Mirrors
That heavy mirror with the ornate wooden frame sitting in your hallway? It could be worth more than you think. Collectors and designers love antique mirrors for their craftsmanship and character, especially if they have that consistently popular gothic look to them.
Sheet Music and Music Books
Old sheet music - especially with decorative or themed covers - can be surprisingly valuable. Vintage piano books from the early half of the 1900s are popular with collectors, musicians, and artists who use them for décor. Don’t give them away to a local school, check they’re not worth something first!
Vintage Luggage
Maybe you have an old suitcase passed down from your grandfather? You can sell that. Vintage luggage - especially with fun colors or travel stickers - is a big hit now with decorators and collectors. People repurpose them into shelves, pet beds, or even props for Instagram photos.
Children’s Books
If you’ve got old copies of Dr. Seuss, Little Golden Books, or early editions of beloved children’s titles, you might have some treasure without knowing it. Collectors love first editions of these books and are willing to pay top dollar for them. Even if they’re a bit worn, it’s still worth trying to sell them.
