Search Results for: then and now

Past consumer goods people purchased over 50 years ago, can be quite sought-after by memorabilia collectors from all walks of life today. We aren't talking about traditional collectibles, such as comic books, lunchboxes, militia, art or stamps. No, I'm talking about unusual or strange collectibles that can worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars to an avid collector. Did you know a prescription a pharmacy pill bottle Marilyn Monroe once owned, sold at auction for over $8,750!! Medical bottles owned by famous celebrities are quite collectible, especially anything once owned by the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. Yowsa, Yowsa, Yowsa! Oh, did I forget to mention: The dress she is wearing in the photo above, sold in 2016 at auction for over $4.8 million dollars. This was her famous "Happy Birthday Mr. President" gown. Moving from Marilyn collectibles to breakfast collectibles: A box of Quaker CAP'N CRUNCH Peanut Butter Cereal from 1963 sold for over $2,800 recently on eBay. Seriously?? 1963 CAP'N CRUNCH Cereal Empty Box-Sold for over $2,800 on eBay!! Source: eBay (eBay user-superfiveo) Believe it or not, find a '60s cereal box or a vintage '50s Rushton Star-Creation stuffed animal, and it can sell for over $1,000!! Literally, "One person's trash can be another man's treasure!" Let's take a look at ten far-out, unusual collectibles people would pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire. Some of the following items originally sold in a store for less than a dollar! 1. Vintage Beer and Soda Pop Cans Beer cans from the 1930s-1960s can be extremely collectible. Search for "flat-top" cans with a "church key" (separate key added to the side of the can, used to open it.). Also, "cone-top" cans produced between 1935-1960. Higher values are realized by brand, design, condition, and collectibility. Vintage '40s Storz WInterbru Beer with flat-top can. Valued at over $3,000 Source: eBay (user-yesivegotit) 2. Vintage VHSTape Cult Horror Flicks from the 1980s-1990s "Look! Out in the kitchen! "It's a stove! It's a dishwasher! No, it's "Attack of the Killer Refrigerator." If it's weird or "Deadstock" merchandise, its likely sought-after in the collecting world. Similarly, this is the case with this corny, horror VHS tape from the Grunge Era, which can sell for over $300! Vintage '90s VHS cult tape, "Attack of the Killer Refrigerator" Source: pinterest.UK 3. Modern Space Age, Mid-century Portable TV's MCM Philco "Predicta" black and white TV. Selling for over $1,500. Source: Wikipedia The mod black and white picture TV the "Predicta" -made by the Philco Co in the late 1950s and discontinued in the '60s-sells for over $1,000! It was one of the first futuristic TV set, which featured a swivel screen. The Predicta, was originally created for America's iconic Holiday Inn hotel chain, and it became a hit with consumers. 4. Early 1970s-1980s Disposable "Pamper" Paper Diapers Vintage Pampers disposable paper diapers. Selling for over $600. Source: Pinterest.co.UK Selling range-$500+ Quality is an important factor here. "Let's face it; they just don't make them like they used to." 5. Vintage 1960s-1970s, Vanity Fair Nylon Tricot-Sheer Ladies Panties Vintage '60s Vanity Fair sheer nylon ladies panties. Selling for over $300. Source: eBay buynwtnow Yes, indeed folks, 'tis a fact! Vintage, prissy panties are highly sought-after today. Of course, look for never worn or lightly-used panties. (A hint for dating the panties; watch for the satin, tiny square pillow tab found on the elastic waistline, and a double nylon mushroom gusset.) 6. Vintage 1972 Hasbro Toy Company, Big-eyed Blythe Dolls 1972 Kenner Blythe Doll and accessories. Selling range-$1,000-$3,500 . Source: Pinterest.com Everyone loves adorable big eyes! The original Kenner Blythe fashion doll who was created by designer Allison Katzman in 1972 and sold through Kenner Co. She measures only 11-inches tall and has large eyes that can change color with the pull of a string. Her looks were based on the big-eyed artwork of Margaret Keane and the cartoon character, Betty Boop. Note: Blythe doll reproductions have been manufactured by other companies in the 21st century. 7. Mid-century Luxurious One-flush Colorful Toilets, Sinks and Bathtubs How could second-hand bathroom fixtures be considered valuable? Has anyone purchased a new water-saver toilet lately? Those old toilets were a bit more powerful, quality-made, and came in a variety of fun colors to appease the consumer. A blue, green, yellow, peach, pink, maroon or white toilet, bathtub or sink- from the mid-century- can sell for over $400 today each. 1950's Pink bathroom feature ad. Source: Pinterest 8. Vintage 1950s-1960s Frozen TV Dinner Boxes (Old School Pop Art) Vintage '50s Kitchen Treat TV dinner box-sold for over $140 on eBay. Source: Miami New Times 9. Vintage 1960's Multiple "Pop-Top" Unbreakable Horrors Toys Vintage 1960's MPC "Pop-Top" Unbreakable Horrors packaged toy. Selling for over $1,800-NIP. Source: universalmonsterarmy.com In 1964 the MPC produced 5-inch solid plastic "Horror" monster figurines- mostly sold two per package. The smaller figurines were half the size of the larger ones. These aren't idle plastic figures; their heads are detachable and pop out of their sockets. Eight types of skinny, scrawny horrible monster figures were produced. These plastic monster toys are considered GOLD in the world of vintage monster-related collectibles. 10-Iconic Celebrity-Owned Memorabilia Collecting (Personal Effects) Some bubblegum that Britney Spears-which had been chewed- sold for $14,000 at auction! Weird, but true. As I mentioned with Marilyn Monroe's personal items... Items touched or owned by celebrities, bring in thousands of dollars. It's like being in close contact with a favorite celebrity. I would make sure I had the COA (certificate of Authenticity) on items purchased on an auction site. Whether it be clothing, food, objects or any particular memorabilia...basically any celebrities personal belongings; it can be super valuable- especially if the celebrity is deceased. Collectors of all genres are willing to pay outrageous prices just to bring back a piece of their past, for sentimental reasons, decorating purposes, or just for the thrill of the hunt and finding the item/items. Be careful; collecting stuff, can quickly turn into hoarding, so remember: "You spend the first part of your life collecting things-and the second half getting rid of them."-Isabel Allende 1970's Quaker CAP'N CRUNCH Peanut Butter Cereal Ad: For more stories from contributing writer, Patricia Penke, and to find out if you have any vintage items worth a substantial amount of money, check out her blog: Turn Trash 2 Cash