18 Old Things in your Parents’ House That are Worth a Fortune
You might think the back room at your parents’ place is just storage for things nobody needs. In reality, that stack of boxes and old cabinets might hide items that collectors are hunting for now. Some of the most ordinary household objects—if they’re from the right time and in good shape—have started pulling in serious money at auctions and online sales.
Let’s find out if what your parents never threw out has become a wildly collectible.
Typewriters
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Manual typewriters, especially pre-1940s models, have become desirable artifacts. Collectors love them with working keys and original decals. Underwood and Remington are top names, and condition matters more than restoration. A clean, clacking machine with all its parts can go for several hundred without being museum-perfect.
Crystal and Glassware
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Those etched goblets and heavy crystal salad bowls your parents only used for guests could be auction favorites now. Mid-century glassware by Fostoria or Cambridge often has recognizable weight and feel. Matching sets, or even standout single pieces with defined patterns, tend to attract competitive buyers looking for retro dining elegance.
Old Tupperware and Pyrex
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Early Tupperware with snug lids or Pyrex bowls with patterns like Gooseberry or Butterprint are especially desirable. However, collectors can be picky. Missing lids or faded designs drop value, but complete sets in good shape can bring in several hundred bucks.
Sterling Silver Flatware
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A well-kept, complete set, including serving utensils, often sells for hundreds. Look for discreet stamps such as “925” or “sterling,” which confirm authenticity. Brands like Tiffany & Co. or Gorham are especially prized.
Retro Video Games and Record Players
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That old Super Nintendo shoved in the closet is still in demand, especially if it works and has the box. Record players from names like Technics or Dual aren’t far behind. Paired with well-kept vinyl, these once-ignored electronics now pull in serious attention from buyers who remember when they were brand new.
Light Fixtures
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Original mid-century fixtures don’t stay unsold for long. Sconces with thick glass, heavy brass, or quirky shapes draw in buyers who want something with character. Even a single vintage chandelier—especially one with its original glass and metal—can go for hundreds, sometimes more, if it still looks sharp and complete.
Blue Danube Dishes
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These blue and white dishes, manufactured in Japan starting in the ’50s, are now serious collectibles. Look for pieces marked with early stamps, as they’re especially prized. If your parents have a full set sitting in a buffet cabinet, they may be sitting on hundreds in resale value.
Vintage Advertising Signs
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Metal signs used for store displays or as basement decorations decades ago now appeal to collectors. Look for brands with enduring recognition, such as Coca-Cola or John Deere. Condition matters, though. Minimal rust and intact paint significantly increase the likelihood of a higher sale price.
Perfume Bottles
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Collectors seek unique glass designs from well-known perfume houses. Decorative bottles from major brands—Chanel, Guerlain, Coty—especially those made before the 1970s, can be worth more empty than they were full. Collectors love the bottle shape, embossed labels, and intact stoppers more than the fragrance inside.
First‑Edition Books
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A well-preserved dust jacket and publisher’s imprint could mean your parents’ bookshelf has more value than you think. Early printings of now-famous authors, or classic children’s titles, are the ones that can quietly bring in big auction numbers.
Antique Tools
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Old wood planes, brace drills, and unique wrenches weren’t made from plastic, and that’s exactly why collectors want them. Tools with engraved maker marks or patent dates are particularly appealing. Even one well-kept Stanley plane from your grandfather’s toolbox might fetch more than a modern set.
Vintage Lunchboxes
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If it’s metal, themed, and still has its thermos, it’s probably valuable. Collectors especially love lunchboxes featuring 1960s and 1970s TV shows, cartoons, or space themes. Rust and dents drop the price, but a clean box with bright graphics could easily get you a three-figure payout.
Patchwork Quilts
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A hand‑stitched quilt passed down through generations could be highly valuable. Distinctive patterns, rare fabrics, and visible handwork all increase appeal. Check for fading, damage, or modern stitching, as authenticity drives collector interest more than the color scheme.
Vintage Eyeglasses
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Frames from the ’50s to the ’70s are popular again, especially cat-eye styles or thick acetate frames with metal detailing. Brands like Bausch & Lomb, American Optical, or even unlabeled vintage pairs with flair can attract both fashion resellers and costume designers.
Vintage Purses
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Handbags from brands like Coach, Chanel, or Gucci from past decades are worth checking. Original stitching, intact linings, and visible logos matter. If your mom stored her bags properly, even a scuffed vintage purse might bring a tidy return, especially if it was a limited run or comes with its dust bag.
Vintage Toys
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Before mass production ramped up, many toys were limited and sturdy. These ranged from metal trucks to tin wind-ups and even boxed board games from the ’60s and ’70s. These vintage games are now favorites among collectors. Bonus points if they’re still in the original box.
China Serving Sets
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Fine porcelain dinner services featuring ornate transferware motifs—such as pastoral scenes or floral borders—are increasingly difficult to find complete. Full 10- or 12-person sets from older European or American manufacturers often command high resale values. Even individual serving pieces can attract serious offers.
Vintage Floral Drapes
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Chintz curtains from past decades have renewed appeal, especially when repurposed. Their faded florals carry distinctive patterns rarely produced today. Designers actively look for these textiles at estate sales, and intact panels often sell well even with signs of gentle use.