Forty Of The Most Common Household Items That Can Be Valuable

For some of us, there is nothing more exciting than finding treasures among old and ordinary items inside our homes. In most cases, these forgotten treasures are found while we’re spring cleaning or packing up stuff to move elsewhere. In the process, some of us have found valuables such as antiques, books, letters, and other things that have been stored away but have not declined in value.

In some cases, people have found what they thought was trash but would later turn out to be worth thousands of dollars! Think about all those vintage comics, figurines, or even the garage sale paintings that have fetched quite a bit of money at auctions. You can so much for so little in terms of investments. Just recently, for example, a man from Reno, Nevada found an old Nintendo game that was purchased from JC Penney for $38.45 and sold online at a whopping $9,000.

So, before you start throwing old things out, think twice. Who knows? You might be keeping treasure somewhere at home, too!

Sewing Patterns

In today’s age of ready-to-wear clothes, the art of sewing has been relegated to the backburner. Many of us no longer mend torn clothes and just throw them away. If you’ve ever found a sewing kit in the attic or pieces of sewing patterns trapped under the flooring—hold on to those. Most people won’t think twice about throwing these out, but be careful because these might be worth a bit of cash.

Did you know that Vogue Paris vintage patterns are still quite popular? They can sell for more than $100. So if you find some around your home, try checking if they are Vogue Paris patterns. A little bit of research can go a long way when it comes to vintage items.

Vintage Posters

Back in our youth, we typically collected posters of movies, our favorite singers, celebrities and other famous personalities. The same habit can be said of our great grandparents. So, there are times when we might go through some of their old things and discover a trove of treasures. Paper is fragile, and so it is usually tricky to keep it in pristine condition.

But if they are given the highest degree of care and are stored in a stable temperature, they could last a lifetime. Some of the most expensive movie posters sold, for example, were The Mummy (1932), which sold for about $439,000 and Metropolis (1927, international version) for $1,186,000. Now, imagine finding one of these, while cleaning up on a random day!

Bakelite Jewelry

Bakelite Jewelry is a type of plastic that can be molded into various designs. It is the forefather of resin and was invented back in 1907. It is commonly found in the form of necklaces and bangles. But because plastic making techniques have improved over the years, Bakelite has since fallen out of fashion.

However, there are still people who collect these vintage items, which were available cheaply back in the day. There are even websites giving tips on how to spot authentic Bakelite jewelry. While it does not qualify to be insured by an insurance company, it still is a valuable common item that can sell for as much as $2,000! There are other, more affordable versions of it that cost around $37.50.

Patches From Boy And Girl Scouts

Collectible patches form the Boy and Girl Scouts are also becoming popular. The market is still small, but for those looking to relive their adventurous childhood or simply want a memento, they are willing to pay a decent price for it! Patches, souvenir items, and pins from certain jamborees also command a higher price.

Those that are given out in the last 20 to 30 years are not too expensive. But expect those from 40 to 50 years ago to be the most sought after. Patches from the 1950s, for example, can fetch anywhere from $2,000 to over $4,000. Yes, that much for a piece of cloth. Some might even think of obtaining cash loans to purchase one of these for resale later on.

Dolls

While old dolls can be creepy, some can increase in value if they were kept in good condition. The usual instinct is for these dolls to be thrown away, given that the media typically associates them with horror movies. Before donating or throwing away a doll collection, it is always good practice to check the brand as these could be sold off instead for a higher amount.

The brand is usually located on the feet or the back of the doll’s neck. A Barbie doll, manufactured in 1996, was once listed on eBay for $399. If it is older, it can be of more value. With a little bit of research or the help of someone professional to assess their value, these dolls can boost your credit score.

Apothecary Bottles

For those unsure what apothecary bottles are, these are glass containers where various concoctions and medication were kept. They were commonplace in the past, when medicine didn’t come in the form we’re used to now. The bottles were labeled with paper, so people would know what medicine was in them. Back then, these bottles were discarded by burying them in the backyard.

Imagine calling in plumbing services and they find a stash of these! Don’t throw them out if that ever happens. Clean them up and check their condition. There are also websites that would help you determine their value and authenticity. A fish-shaped bottle, for example, is being sold for $200 online. Not a bad price for treasure you literally dug up, right?

Costumes

Like dolls, costumes can be creepy, especially if they are Halloween costumes. But antique dresses usually average $225 online. On average, these antique/vintage clothes were likely purchased for half or much less the selling price! Of course, pricing is a tricky matter since it involves various factors.

This includes the year when it was made, the original purchase price, the condition it is in now, and the degree of uniqueness of the design. Some dresses and costumes sell online, north of $1,000. So if you have a collection at home or if an estate sale is happening near you, check them out and try your luck! Well-preserved clothing from the Victorian-era can be resold for a good amount of money.

Vintage Cameras

In the time of digital cameras, the use of vintage cameras has fallen out of trend. But those mechanical cameras are not about to completely disappear just yet. The use of vintage cameras also brings out the best in the skills of the photographer, since their use requires more attention. The most expensive kind are even covered by insurance, in order to protect their value from loss.

You’ll find many film cameras online, but only few have good resale value. Hobbyists are heavily committed to obtaining the older models. For example, a 1923 Leica Series-0 camera was bought by an Asian collector for the price of nearly $2.79 million dollars. If it’s in mint or good condition, it will fetch a good price!

Rare Trucker Hats

Apart from costumes and dresses, hats can also be resold at a higher price if they are collectible. The right trucker hat could be sold online for on average of $25 to over $1,000! The rarer ones are priced higher. The same goes for those with a custom design. While it may be gross to scour the attic for old hats that has been drenched in someone else’s sweat, these can be hand-washed and sanitized with ease.

The finder will need to do so lightly to avoid degrading the fabric further. The color should also still be vibrant for a higher price to be appraised. While the amount might not be enough to pay for student loans, it is still worth the effort.

Autographs

Autographs on pictures, books, sneakers or any regular household item can be sold for a higher price depending on a variety of elements. The more celebrity status is given credit to the one who signed it, the better the selling price. The signature of a celebrity who has passed on is also more expensive than someone who is still alive. Autographs must also be signed by the celebrities themselves. There are those “signed” during mass production, and those do not amount to much. In 2018, for example, a signed copy of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the First Congress sold for $9.8 million. Who signed it? George Washington himself. So before throwing out an old piece of paper, make sure you check it thoroughly.