Another unassuming little trinket that turned out to be worth a buck. Never look a gift sea-horse in the mouth!
This toy sat in my basement for six months from a big job we did earlier this year yet sold in a couple days when I finally got around to it. How much money do you have lying around the house?!
Buyers for pieces like this are so few and far between these days that I cheer out loud whenever something like this sells. Even the thrift stores don't really want things like this but I at least try to find neat glassware a new home.
This sort of surprised me but we've mentioned before that some vintage AV/ media systems still have a following.
Old animal themed items - dogs, cats, horses, etc - always good sellers.
Love me some vintage toys!
I can sell the heck out of anything 'Mid Century'. Lenox items generally don't have much resale value but these were pink!
We usually don't get much value out of old books but these were in really nice condition and full of fun
I had been holding out for more but I eventually got tired of tripping over it. I'm guilty of overvaluing things because I like them just like many people
Everyone knows I like old toys and games as they generally sell fast and for good prices. This set was like the Holy Grail to some collector's and I thought we were going to get a couple thousand dollars for it. After fishing for a couple months and getting a second opinion, I settled for about as good as I was going to get.
This was a neat find. A portfolio journal featuring over 50 photos documenting the construction of the Eagle Silk Mill in Shamokin Pennsylvania from 1916 and the addition from 1924. I knew it was a good historical piece and asked for a high price but I got lucky and got just one bid.
I think we've mentioned that old lunchboxes have some value but condition is key and this one was near mint.
Everyone knows I like old lighting as it generally sells fairly quickly and for good prices. The buyer is putting this in a period house in Hollywood CA!
This was just a basic department store sweater from the 1940s but what made it extra special was that it had the WWII Allied shield designs AND the fact that it was in such good condition. I'm slightly annoyed that the lady who bought it plans to wear it as it's a really rare item but it's her money I guess. Dry clean only my dear!
I love selling stuff that is actually old and not a reproduction
Another neat old piece we rescued ....
Here's another example of something that just doesn't sell very well anymore. I had evidence that this little set might be worth $100 or more but after several months, this was the best price I could get.
Another example of turning items that really weren't worth much individually into a respectable sale. It took several months for someone to buy these as most collectors just want to buy one item but we found them a good home eventually as a 'group lot'.
Nothing tells a story like a picture and this was a neat old lot full of history. Many of these cards were from the very early 1900s and were in great condition so it's no surprise they sold for a nice price. If I were so inclined, I probably could have spent many hours doing research and sold them individually for a greater total amount over time, but knowing when to balance the labor factor is a big part of our business.
Here is yet another old Chinese piece that went back to China for a nice price.
I don't see many 'ancient' items and those that I do the value can be hit or miss. The question is, how would I even know if something is 500 years old or not? For some items that we suspect are very special, we usually get an expert opinion to give us provenance which in turn helps us sell it.
Old costume jewelry always has some appeal
We were told these came from the Capitol building which may have helped sell them but in general old architectural bits are usually in demand
These are usually a dime a dozen but having the handle made them worth a bit more
I am so happy when really cool old things that are not much in demand anymore sell for a good fair price in a timely manner. Getting 'top dollar' for a given item is almost always a waiting game which is why most of our customers take our best cash offer today and let us sit it out.