We’ve all heard stories through the years of valuable paintings discovered at yard sales, purchased for pennies. But paintings aren’t the only valuables in people’s basements waiting to be discovered. A variety of records, clothing, sculptures, movie posters and furniture have found their way to auction houses and fetched thousands or even millions. An Andy Warhol sketch, for instance, picked up for $5 in 2010 was later appraised at $2 million.
But how do you know if you’re sitting on gold or simply fool’s gold? Well, the truth is, most of the stuff cluttering grandma’s basement may have sentimental value but likely not much more. But like the proverbial needle in a haystack, it’s worth knowing a little about what might be worth a lot – and if in doubt, asking someone who does.
The value of any collectible is primarily based on supply and demand and whether it has historical significance, which would explain one of only 200 engraved reproductions of the Declaration of Independence that was bought at a garage sale for $2.48 and eventually sold at auction for nearly $500,000.
Here are few clues to look for:
Furniture – Older and, often, more valuable pieces were built using a dovetailing technique instead with nails. Original midcentury furniture – made in the 1950s and 1960s by designers like Eames, Knoll, Jacobsen or Saarinen – have become especially in demand and valuable.
Identifying marks – Look under, behind or inside pieces of furniture, porcelain, illustrations or paintings, then search online. The Antiques Roadshow website as well as sites like 1stdibs.com and eBay can give you a good idea about whether your piece is a collectible and how much it might be worth.
VHS tapes – Most of them probably aren’t worth much but a few – like a copy of horror flick “Tales From the Quadead Zone" – could be worth as much as $2,000.
Video games – Like movie videos, most won’t be worth much unless they are extremely rare – like “Stadium Events" by Bandai, which was released in 1987 and is now worth $40,000!
Cereal boxes – While the cereal will definitely be past its best before date, unopened boxes of some cereals can fetch upwards of $200.
Cell phones – There are so many floating around, you practically can’t give away most old mobile phones. But a few very old ones – like a 1983 Motorola DynaTAX 8000X – have sold at auction for $550.
Do you have stuff sitting in your basement that you’re not sure is worthless or priceless? Do some online digging and share your questions and suggestions with other members in the Shop Talk blog community forum!
Did you know? It’s alive!
A Frankenstein poster from the original 1931 movie was discovered in the 1970s during a theatre renovation – it sold at auction in 2015 for, get this, $358,500. (Source)
I have a few and some i would love more info on. I use to collect clocks, and raise exotic birds. I miss them both.
I have a nice picture of the Blue Boy which, like you said they are special family heirlooms. I have a cool toaster out of stainless steel. Older than me..ok that is old. 🙂 .and the only hint is ..was a wedding gift to my mother and father..9 yrs before me 😉 Yeah..Toast goes down automatic..and comes back up. No lever and the best toast..ever. Great Grandma on father’s side left me a cedar chest. It is so cute and small. No lettering. I know it is so old just looking at the legs. Brought over from Germany.
Collecting antiques i came to the realization., I too, was antique all along. .( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
We all have things that we were told were valuable but found out different. I have a treasure trove of vinyl music…78s 45s and 331/3rpm. Wonder how I can find out if any are valuable. I have 1 that was never opened but was recorded by John F. Kennedy. Also old Pokémon cards and unopened ball cards. Where can I go to find the value?
Love your site!
Suzi
I have a house full and 18-wheeler trailer full. Is Worth-it a good place to find the value of something?
I have an old duncan phyfe fold down round table with brass claw feet. What do you think it;s worth?
I love tag sales. Hoping for a lucky find.
Excellent
I have the following movies in VHS form The Star Wars Special Edition which includes The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.I also have White Christmas.Taps ,Air Force one,Joan of Arc.All of these are good condition I don’t have a VHS player anymore
Many crates of unopened old Playboy Magazines still in original wrapper. ex. 1993 Dan Ankroyd and Pamela Anderson on cover of magazine yet many more . How to find out if they have any value. Thanks
I have over 100 porcelain dolls, a few Madame Alexander’s, Holiday Barbies, all unopened, dating back to 1983. I truly enjoyed my dolls, only to find out our daughter doesn’t want them, so, I would like to find out if I should sell as a lot, or individually.
I have lots of baseball cards and memoriabilas. I also have comic books
My mom was an Avon rep for many years. I have many awards she won like commemorative plates. Where would I look to find out their value?
Very interesting and it’s nice to know what is still out there.
I have a old waffle maker that was my grandmothers. She died when i was a pre teen. My grandfather gave it to my mother i do not know rxactly how old it is but i do know it us over 40 years old and it still works. Can not find snyone to tell me whatsbit is worth. Can you help
I have an antique dress form, two pieces (stand and body). Torso is made of a papier-mâché-like hard substance. Color is distressed bronze, with a nice untouched patina. Found in a Minnesota attic last year. Has attached elastic bands. I want to know the price I can ask to sell it.
I have several Collectable Dolls but am unable to figure out where to go with them to sell? Any ideas?
I have coke cola items I would like to sell
Where can I find out what a stamp collection from before World War II is worth ?
I have parts of a Woodbury Times from 1946 and the Bulletin from 1964 newspapers. Also some magazines , including covers with pictures of Martin Luther King and Charles Manson. I have wondered if they have any value.
do old records have any value. Glenn Miller air force band album, Big band albums.
I am now going to the attic to look around. Thanks for waking me up to what I might have.