What kind of antiques are valuable

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Of course, not every first edition will be very valuable. A box of vintage Christmas ornaments in good condition could be worth hundreds of dollars. These were first produced during the Biedermeier period c.

Because they were so heavy, they were suspended from the ceiling, rather than being hung on the Christmas tree. These German kugeln singular: kugel are quite rare and likely to turn up in your attic only if they were family heirlooms brought over from the old country. However, even more recent ornaments, for example, Hallmark Keepsake ornaments from the s and 80s, can be worth a pretty penny to collectors.

Unusual shapes, references to pop culture icons and, of course, the rarity and condition have a positive impact on value. These trees tend to be green or white ceramic with plastic lights, which are illuminated by a bulb inside the tree. Some rotate or even play music and are a throwback for many collectors to fond childhood memories.

As with furniture, appliances and other household goods, the craze for Midcentury, Mad Men-esque packaging and advertisements has yet to die down, and has been supplemented with a taste for s and 90s nostalgia.

Collectors are very interested in complete or nearly complete sets of patches from past decades, memorabilia from Boy Scout camps and National Jamborees, as well as personal documentation like photographs, journals and diaries.

Award medals can also be quite valuable, due to their intended rarity. Mass-produced and frequently purchased as souvenirs in the first half of the twentieth century, some Morton and Ozark Roadside pottery may be quite valuable today.

In the Victorian era late s , blown glass Easter eggs were all the rage. These festive decorations could be purchased in many general stores and were typically hand-painted, given as gifts between ladies and passed down as family heirlooms. Many of the eggs survive today. Unfortunately, because it was common to use water-based paint, it is difficult to find them with their original illustrations intact.

If stored properly over time, these may be in better condition and more valuable than the glass eggs with chipped and faded paint. If you have a stack of old magazines collecting dust in your attic, it could be time to bring them down and see what they might be worth!

Fashion magazines from bygone eras are in demand from collectors who like to see how trends have been recycled and repurposed over time.

These advertisements can be clipped and sold one-by-one to maximize your potential earnings from one vintage magazine, so think twice before you toss them all in the recycling bin! Old family documents like letters, autographs and even deeds and bond certificates may have some appeal to collectors, especially if they reference an important historical figure or event. You never know what kind of treasures a pile of old documents might contain. Do your parents love to tell stories about their now-famous high school or university classmate?

Dig out their old yearbooks because that photograph of a young and awkward star might be worth something! The yearbooks of certain literary and historical figures like former U. Those made with older technology, like tintypes, ambrotypes and daguerreotypes may be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.

The most sought-after and expensive photographs depict famous or well-known people. However, there is also an interest among collectors for portraits of soldiers and group images of children. Age is a factor in determining the value of an old photograph, but it is not the only factor taken into account.

The quality and condition of the image also play a role. As with family photographs and documents, vintage postcards sent from faraway and exotic locations by travelers hundreds of years ago have a certain amount of appeal. Though most may only be worth a few dollars, some that are particularly old or interesting and still in good condition could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Determining the age of a postcard can be quite difficult. The postmark date can give you some idea, but the postcard may have been in production for many years before it was purchased and sent. The most expensive postcard ever sold is also thought to be one of the first, posted in Though an item like this would be crinkled and therefore not as valuable as a pristine copy of a newsletter declaring the beginning or the end of a war, the results of a presidential election or some other major historical event, it may be worth considering its value before you toss it out.

Many people save newspapers from historic days and with prices for some being in the hundreds of dollars, you may want to consider getting into the habit, as well. Old horror movies from the s and 30s seem to be a favorite among collectors. Additionally, posters advertising well-known concerts or famous artists, particularly if they are signed by the artist s , can be quite valuable. Stubs that are in good condition and posters from historic sporting events hold a lot of appeal for collectors of sports memorabilia.

Because of their rising popularity as a decorative item in the home, Mearto was recently interviewed for Today. If you have previously purchased or inherited a large Oriental area rug or runner with a desirable color and origin, it could be worth quite a bit to a savvy interior decorator. Such handwoven wool rugs were popular at the turn of the 20th Century and again in the s.

While most people have seen or heard of the famous Tiffany glass lamps, which were popular in the United States at the turn of the 20th Century and now sell for up to six figures at auction, many are unaware of several other contemporaneous brands that can also bring in serious sums. Look for a heavy base and observe the colors in the leaded panes of glass. Are they soft and refined, or very bold and bright? The latter would indicate a more modern and less valuable reproduction.

These once-popular cast iron figurines often take the form of a cat or dog and can be used to prop open a door. Modern reproductions also tend to be significantly less expensive. Reproductions will also often have a very rough, sandy appearance and may feature a Phillips head screw. Originals are either one solid piece of cast iron, or two pieces held together by a flathead screw. Consoles, sofas, chairs, highboards and lowboards… there is no satiating the appetite that collectors and decorators have for Mid-Century furniture, which refers to an item made sometime between the mids and s and, according to the Spruce , meets the following criteria:.

While works by well-known designers tend to have the highest price tags, even those items which may have been mass-produced have a certain amount of appeal to collectors seeking to add this classic look to their home.

These objects are typically made of hardwood, covered in gold leaf and may feature an eagle standing on a Grecian column at the top. The mirror may have arms to hold candles or other embellishments or decorations. Because of their age and intrinsic value, many reproductions and forgeries can be found on the market. The odds are not high, but stories of such discoveries are frequently found in the news.

How can you know if your work of art is the real thing? Mearto has a special team of experts dedicated to authentication research. In many cases, we are also able to help with attribution. Most American kitchens would not be complete without a collection of Pyrex cookware. This versatile and hardworking brand has made it a household favorite for many decades and certain patterned pieces have become treasured and sought out by collectors.

As with many of the items on this list, the value of vintage Pyrex is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to age and rarity. It was not uncommon for the Pyrex company to release a fixed number of prototypes into the market, which can now be quite difficult to track down. However, determining age can be quite another story. While some specific patterns or colors of glass can provide clues, dating is not a straightforward process.

Our specialists can determine whether your Pyrex has a collectible value of hundreds or thousands of dollars, or is just another piece of useful kitchen cookware. While most are quite run-of-the-mill and can still be purchased for a few dollars each, some of the more antique examples, particularly those which are a bit rare, can have additional value. Its intended use was as a dispenser for a coffee grinder.

Another variation on the Mason jar is prized for its lovely light purple color, which was originally a mistake! In the s, Ball manufacturers included the element Manganese Mn in their compound and found that when it was exposed to sunlight, the glass became violet in color.

They discontinued the use of this element for some time, but brought it back intentionally in due to popular demand. First mass-produced in the s by the glassware manufacturer Anchor Hocking, Jadeite was commonly found in homes, restaurants and church kitchens for several decades.

The most desirable pieces are, of course, antique. These pieces can be identified and dated by the logo found on the bottom of each item. Certain hard-to find skillet sizes, as well as Dutch ovens, roasting pans and muffin pans from Griswold tend to be the most valuable. To get top dollar, the cookware also needs to be in good visual condition — and useable as they are desired by many amateur and professional chefs seeking a high-quality cooking surface.

Make sure you give any piece you find a good season before you list it for sale. While Tupperware continues to be found in nearly every kitchen in America, vintage pieces have become collectors items for those attracted to the history and nostalgia, or simply the bright midcentury color palette of these practical plastic containers. With a few exceptions, like a set of salt and pepper shakers that debuted in the s, most single items of Tupperware are not particularly valuable.

However, complete sets can easily sell for hundreds of dollars. As with many of the other items on this list, age is less of a consideration when determining value. The most important factor is rarity. The harder an item is to find, the more desirable it may be to collectors. Typical motifs include animals, cartoon characters and even certain commercial products like those custom-designed by McCoy for Coca-Cola, Harley Davidson, Quaker Oats and more.

While it was considered good taste for every housewife in the s, 50s and 60s to own and maintain a set of silver flatware, many sets are unfortunately not worth more than their scrap value today, which is subject to market fluctuations.

Some older European brands have held their value over time with some worth thousands or even millions at international auction. As with flatware sets, the value of a china set depends primarily on the maker, which is fortunately easy to identify by looking at the stamp on the bottom of each china piece, and the pattern. The origin of the set may also play a role in determining its value. Today, china is produced all over the world.

Submit a photo and ask our specialists if you need help identifying the origin, maker, pattern or value of your china set. Another colorful and collectible set of kitchenware that can be quite valuable is original Fiestaware.

Originally released in five colors in red, cobalt blue, medium green, yellow and old ivory; turquoise was added in and this set of six colors tend to be the most desirable. Over the decades, new colors were introduced to match the palettes and taste of the day.

A full set from the s includes 34 pieces, which is nearly impossible to find today. Collectors will pay top dollar for a full set of nesting bowls with no cracks or chips. When Mad Men first aired in , it fueled a craze for Midcentury Modern everything… furniture, fashion, etc. The home cocktail bar, a feature of most modern homes in the s, came back with a vengeance. Check your home for valuable, vintage toys. That said, much loved used ones are still sought after and can fetch a good price as well.

Lego sets are especially popular with some selling for a few times their original buying price. Porcelain collectible dolls, especially early American ones, can command high prices as well as Sindy, Barbie dolls and Star Wars toys, whatever their condition.

Tea and dining sets could also be another valuable item that you possess in your home. Family crockery is usually kept unused and passed down from generation to generation.

Some crockery sets become a collectible antique, which are worth a surprising amount of money. It is important that there is no damage and that the set is complete. These items are a classic example of something that may be useless to you and that is left packed away in a box in the attic, but could be worth money. Valuable silverware is usually hallmarked allowing you to see the maker, age and place of manufacture.

Although most silverware items are not particularly popular at the moment, some are. Silver can also be sold for its value in weight to bring in a few extra pounds. Ceramics of any value also usually have a clear stamp on the base that allows you to do online research to find out when and where they were made and what kind of value they have.

Royal Dalton, Royal Worcester and Staffordshire potteries are all worth looking out for. Many of these items were not popular at the time that they were manufactured which led to the line being dropped and not as many being made, which makes them rare and sought after today. Old comics that were originally bought for a few pence can be worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Millions, in fact, in the case of the 1st edition Superman comics. That said, British comic books can also be worth money. Usually, it is early and rare editions, or signed copies which are worth lots of money. Harry Potter books can command large sums of money and do not necessarily have to be in pristine condition. Savethestudent is a great site to help you work out how much you can earn from your old items. Electronics can be highly sought after rare items.

Some of the first gaming consoles are selling online for thousands of pounds and retro Walkman cassette players are exchanging hands for hundreds. Old mobile phones are all worth money, especially some of the earlier models and so are old computers. Although they were only released in , the first iPods or even just early generation ones, are one of the most wanted vintage items in and can be worth several hundreds of pounds.

Some, usually unopened ones in their original packaging or unusually coloured ones have sold for many thousands. Clothing and accessories can be very valuable. Stop before you take a bag of clothes to the charity shop and take a closer look at what you are throwing away. Even more modern designer items can be worth more now than what you paid for them.

It is not only the famous designers who have produced valuable clothes. Some coveted vintage brands like Stickley can be worth significantly more. Randy Mayor Source:. Sheet Music Cabinet. The upper shelves were used to store sheet music. Pairpoint, Handle, and Fulper are a few of the brands that are worth the most. Max Pixel Source:. Lunch Boxes. The ones that are valued the highest often have images and scenes representing famous movies, cartoons, and pop culture icons.

For example, lunch boxes that feature The Jetsons, The Beatles, or even a picture of Rambo are a few of the types worth a lot. Sam Howzit Source:. The serial number dates it to While most typewriters were painted black, the bubble gum pink color of this Quiet De Luxe is quite unusual and significantly raises its value. Christmas Ornaments. Collectors are looking for those that have intricate details or unique designs and shapes that set them apart from other common ornaments.

Obviously, the older the better. Jo Naylor Source:. Violet Columbia Mason Jar. The pink hue is due to manganese in the glass. Originally, they were produced by accident. However, after customers expressed an interest in the violet jars, Columbia began selling them for real in Jean Allsopp Source:.

Perfume Bottles. Each one was its own unique work of art. Vetiver Aromatics Source:. The rarity, condition, image, and message on the back all come into play. Also, if there is a rare stamp on the front, the price can increase. LwcyDesign Source:. Ball Jug. They are very prone to cracking, which makes the ones in good condition that much more valuable. Cast-Iron Mailbox.

The paint job, unfortunately, decreases its value a little. HomeMaker Source:. Milk Glass Banana Stand. It used to be super popular. Prices vary wildly, but if you have any old hand drills, saws, or other tools laying around, it is worth getting them appraised. Upside-Down Ball Mason Jar.

That makes them extremely rare. Most have either gotten lost, broken or worn over the years. The upside-down orientation of the jar allowed it to also function as a dispenser for a coffee grinder.

Belly Board. It was produced in the s by Shane Surfboards, i. That makes it more valuable than other similar boards. VHS Tapes. The most sought after are certain horror movies or banned movies that were never subsequently reproduced on DVD due to their controversial nature. Classic brands that everyone knows like Coca Cola or Pepsi are worth the most. However, there is money to be made on all types of old signs. Luggage Set. Penney set was made, green marble finish on hard case luggage was very fashionable.

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