30 Forgotten Relics Worth Quite A Bit Of Money That Could Be Hiding In Your Attic Right Now

Vintage lamp bases, especially those made of Tiffany glass, Art Deco metal, or mid-century ceramics, can sell for $100 to over $5,000. An authentic Tiffany Studios base can fetch six figures! Fun fact: Some antique lamp bases were designed with hidden compartments, originally used for storing matches or small trinkets.

Vintage comics, especially first appearances of iconic characters, can sell for $100 to over $1 million. Action Comics #1 (Superman’s debut) sold for $3.2 million! Fun fact: Comics were once seen as disposable entertainment, which is why well-preserved copies are so rare—and valuable—today.

Vintage perfume bottles, especially those from luxury brands like Chanel, Lalique, and Guerlain, can sell for $10 to over $10,000. Rare, hand-blown glass designs are the most valuable. Fun fact: Some antique bottles are worth more empty than full, as collectors prize the craftsmanship over the scent!

Vintage cameras, especially rare models from Leica, Hasselblad, and Polaroid, can sell for $100 to over $200,000. A 1923 Leica 0-Series camera sold for $2.97 million! Fun fact: Some old cameras, like the Polaroid SX-70, are still in demand because modern photographers love their unique retro aesthetic.

Depression-era glass tableware, made in the 1920s–1940s, can be worth $20 to over $5,000, depending on rarity and color. Pink, green, and cobalt blue pieces are especially valuable. Fun fact: This glass was originally cheap and often given away in cereal boxes or at gas stations—now, collectors are willing to pay big bucks for it!

Rare Pyrex dishes, especially vintage patterns from the 1950s–1970s, can sell for $50 to over $500 per piece. Coveted designs like Lucky in Love and Pink Daisy fetch top dollar. Fun fact: Some Pyrex pieces were promotional items, meaning only a limited number were made—making them even more valuable today!

Vintage radios and stereos, especially tube radios from the 1920s–1950s or high-end turntables from the ‘70s, can be worth $100 to over $15,000. Brands like Zenith, Marantz, and McIntosh are highly collectible. Fun fact: Some old radios were designed to double as furniture, blending seamlessly into living rooms with wooden cabinets and decorative dials!

Vintage handmade quilts, especially those from the 19th and early 20th centuries, can sell for $200 to over $5,000. Quilts with intricate patterns, rare fabrics, or historical significance fetch the highest prices. Fun fact: Some antique quilts were made from old clothing or feed sacks, turning everyday scraps into beautiful, one-of-a-kind heirlooms!

Vintage home appliances, like 1950s toasters, refrigerators, and stand mixers, can sell for $100 to over $30,000, depending on rarity and brand. Retro-colored appliances, like pastel blues and pinks, are especially desirable. Fun fact: Some old blenders and mixers were built so well that they still work perfectly after 50+ years!

Vintage PEZ dispensers can be surprisingly valuable, with rare ones selling for $100 to over $25,000. The 1982 Astronaut B dispenser is one of the rarest, fetching thousands at auction. Fun fact: Some early PEZ dispensers didn’t have character heads—just a simple design meant for adults as a breath mint dispenser!

Vintage advertising clocks, especially those from the early 1900s to the 1960s, can sell for $100 to over $10,000, depending on brand and rarity. Coca-Cola and beer brand clocks are highly collectible. Fun fact: Some old clocks doubled as light-up signs, making them both functional and eye-catching for businesses!

Vintage luggage, especially luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hartmann, and Goyard, can sell for $200 to over $22,000. Fun fact: Some old suitcases have hidden compartments designed for secret storage during long voyages.

Jadeite, the rarest and most valuable type of jade, can sell for $100 to over $1 million, depending on quality and origin. A jadeite necklace once sold for $27.4 million! Fun fact: The most prized jadeite is an intense, almost glowing green, known as “Imperial Jade,” highly sought after in China and beyond.

Vintage Lionel train sets, especially pre-1960s models in good condition, can sell for $100 to over $15,000. A rare Lionel Standard Gauge Blue Comet set sold for $250,000! Fun fact: Lionel trains were so popular in the 1950s that they accounted for two-thirds of all toy trains sold in the U.S.

First edition books, especially rare or signed copies, can sell for $100 to over $70,000. A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone once sold for $471,000! Fun fact: Small printing errors in first editions can make them even more valuable to collectors.

Collectible stamps, especially rare or misprinted ones, can sell for $50 to over $2 million. The 1918 Inverted Jenny, with an upside-down airplane, once sold for $2 million! Fun fact: Some early stamps were hand-cut from sheets, making well-centered examples much rarer and more valuable.

Vintage typewriters, especially rare models from brands like Underwood, Royal, and Hermes, can sell for $100 to over $1,000+. A 1950s Sholes and Glidden once sold for $110,000! Fun fact: Tom Hanks is a well-known typewriter collector and owns over 250 machines.

Antique maps, especially hand-drawn or early printed ones from the 15th–19th century, can sell for $100 to over $250,000+. A rare 1507 Waldseemüller map sold for $10 million! Fun fact: Maps with historical errors, like early ones showing California as an island, are highly sought after by collectors.

Vintage *Polly Pocket* sets from the late ‘80s and ‘90s can sell for $10 to over $15,000, depending on rarity. The 1992 Polly Pocket Magical Mansion is one of the most valuable, fetching over $2,500 sealed. Fun fact: Early sets were tiny enough to fit in a pocket—hence the name!

Old cookbooks, especially first editions from iconic chefs like Julia Child or Betty Crocker, can sell for $50 to over $5,000. A first-edition Mastering the Art of French Cooking sold for $2,000! Fun fact: Handwritten notes or recipes inside can sometimes increase a cookbook’s value, especially if penned by a famous chef.

Vintage sewing machines, especially early Singer, Pfaff, or Bernina models, can sell for $100 to over $5,000. A rare Singer Featherweight 222K sold for $3,500! Fun fact: Machines with ornate gold detailing or original wooden cases are the most sought after by collectors and crafters alike.

Vintage cookie jars, especially those from the 1940s–1970s by brands like McCoy, Hull, and Shawnee, can sell for $50 to over $3,500. A rare McCoy Mammy jar once sold for $6,000! Fun fact: Some cookie jars were promotional items for brands like Planters and Pillsbury, making them even more collectible today.

Vintage jewelry, especially pieces made from gold, platinum, or featuring rare gemstones, can sell for $100 to millions of dollars. Art Deco and Victorian-era designs are highly sought after. Fun fact: Some antique jewelry has hidden compartments, originally used for storing perfume, love notes, or even poison!

Vintage nail polish, especially limited-edition shades from luxury brands like Chanel and Revlon, can sell for $50 to hundreds of dollars. A rare bottle of Chanel’s “Ciel de Nuit” sold for $1,000! Fun fact: Some collectors hunt for discontinued colors, especially celebrity collaborations and unique shades no longer in production.

Kitsch pictures, once dismissed as tacky, are now hot collectibles. Works by artists like Vladimir Tretchikoff and J.H. Lynch can sell for $100 to over $4,000. A rare Tretchikoff "Chinese Girl" print sold for $2,500! Fun fact: These bold, moody portraits were mass-produced but are now beloved for their retro charm and mid-century aesthetic.

Vintage Star Wars LEGO sets, especially rare or discontinued ones, can sell for $100 to over $20,000. The 2007 Millennium Falcon (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) is one of the most valuable, fetching over $15,000 sealed. Fun fact: Some rare minifigures, like the 2003 Cloud City Boba Fett, can sell alone for $2,000+!

Fine china, especially antique brands like Meissen, Wedgwood, or Royal Doulton, can sell for $100 to over $1,600 per plate. A rare Ming Dynasty porcelain bowl once sold for $37.7 million! Fun fact: The blue-and-white porcelain style, popular for centuries, was inspired by designs from the Tang Dynasty.