We are all guilty of a little hoarding, some of us much more so than others. But it does seem to be the case that most of us like to hold on to objects that have had a special significance to us at one point. I still have every toy my grandfather made for me, amazingly detailed wooden market stalls, each replete with its own tiny wooden offerings, breads, and tiny perfectly formed vegetables. These precious things aren’t worth anything at auction; their value is all in my association with the fantastic craftsman that was my grandfather. However, this is not always the case; sometimes the things we save in the attic or basement can, much later in life, save us.
Here is a quick list of the unexpected places value can hide, born out of years of experience in helping families realize the maximum from their possessions at auction.
1. The library of opportunity!
Check the library, look for old books marked “First Edition” Look for books signed by the author or other celebrities. Some first editions have sold for over 50K. 2-Time is moving faster than anyone of us wants to admit. This means that the things you bought in your youth may already be collector’s items. We all know about the fortunes laying in dusty boxes of baseball cards, but did you know that numerous other household items have strong markets. From Atari consoles to movie posters, value can be hidden in the most familiar of objects.
2. Bring the Bling Bling!
Nobody overlooks gold. Its value is there on display, but what about its country cousin; silver. Silver is less flashy, but it is still valuable, and its popularity amongst the Victorian elite means fine silverware exists everywhere. Look carefully at any silver cutlery for stamped markings. Bring these items to the attention of your appraiser or estate buyer.
3. Childhood treasures.
Everybody knows that mint condition toys bring big money, but how many of us extend that thought to the humble board game. The first monopoly sets where designed to promote a sharing economy, the opposite of the strategy necessary to win the most current iteration. Find one of those first editions and your next vacation is taken care of!
Staying on the childhood toy theme, did you know that it is not just boys’ toys that have amassed value- Barbie Dolls and their associated accessories have also become quite valuable in recent years.
4. Tastes Change – all hail the Hipsters!
The Hipsters’ fondness for antiquated audio tech has created quite a vibrant market in old electronics. You old boom box may well be worth something in ten years or so.
The moral of the story is; there are just too many places for value to hide for a regular person to find. So, use an ethical appraiser. Or approach an Auction house and ask for their advice. Not all auctioneers are experts in everything, and if you ask them, they will happily tell you their areas of expertise.
Happy hunting
For a complete guide to all the estate liquidation services we offer click here 5 essential rules for getting the most out of an estate Auction! (Jam packed with pro tips)