Decluttering? Don’t Throw Money Away! Kovels’ Lists 9 Items That Are Going up in Value

You’ve spent years accumulating “stuff” you love. You have lots of treasures. Here are things that are hiding in your house that might be worth money.

 

1.  Boxes that your pre-1970 toys came in. A working toy with the box is worth 20 percent more and easier to sell.

2.  Used handbags by major designers.

3.  Early iPhones in the box. An iPhone 1 (first generation) in its original box can sell in the thousands.

4.  Ceramics used by florists. Some of the containers that were used 20 years ago are collectible.

5.  Silver. It’s worth its weight and useful pieces are going up in value.

6.  Anything that has to do with serving wine or cocktails.

7.  Old rusty garden furniture. You can take the rust off and repaint and it doesn’t hurt the value.

8.  Family letters and photos from ancestors that describe the history of the time and place including personal events in detail.

9.  Posters by illustrators that turn out to be important artists or groups that later became famous.

But how do you approach decluttering or, even more challenging, downsizing? What is the first step? Let us help! For detailed information on how to buy or sell specific types of objects such as furniture, pottery, glass or toys, visit Kovels’ specialized Buy and Sell Guides and the informative, helpful Downsizing Guide.

declutter list

 

 

Vintage Handbags

Q :  I have a few top-quality handbags and wonder what they’re worth. One is a Chanel that’s covered in little suede patches. Others are by Bottega Veneta, Pierre Cardin and Fendi.

A :  The prices of high-quality vintage handbags can be quite high—into the thousands. Many national auction houses include handbags in their vintage couture sales. If your bags are in excellent condition, don’t sell them on your own until you consult a reputable auction house. You may get a lot more for them if they are sold by an auction house that advertises widely, sells on land and online, and attracts a lot of interested bidders.

 

 

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