15 Thrift Store Treasures That Could Make You a Small Fortune!
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What if the next thing you will be digging out of a thrift store could turn into a small fortune? Thrift stores are often considered a haven for secondhand clothes and old furniture, but they also can be gold mines for valuable collectibles, antiques, and other highly sought-after items. A little know-how and a keen eye can help you dig out items worth far more than their price tags.
According to the annual forecast from thredUP, an online resale marketplace, the secondhand and resale market is forecasted to reach about $350 billion by 2028. This growth reflects a movement toward sustainability, thriftier buying, and the excitement of the hunt for great finds.
With research and the right strategy, you should have no problem turning a hobby into a money-making experience. Read on to discover 15 thrift store finds that could make you a small fortune!
Original Oil Paintings
Original oil paintings are among the most valuable finds in thrift stores. While mass-produced reproductions are common, finding a true original from an unknown artist or even a well-known painter can yield impressive returns.
“Whether it’s a small, well-painted still life in an aged gilt frame or a large-scale abstract piece I’m going to struggle to get in my car, it has always been worth it to purchase real art with visible brushstrokes, nuance, and patina,” Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors says.
To determine their worth, examine for signatures, provenance, and condition. These works can be sold through galleries, auctions, and online sites, and some paintings have recently been resold for over $10,000.
Pedestals
Pedestals that were once standard pieces of furniture in wealthy homes now sit on thrift store shelves for a fraction of the price they were originally. Most of these pieces, especially in marble, wood, and metal, are highly salable for collectors and interior designers who want to display sculptures or plants.
Pedestals can be very valuable if they are antique; some 19th-century pieces have sold for thousands of dollars in auctions, especially if they are in good condition. Even modestly designed pedestals can appreciate value due to their rarity and classic aesthetic appeal.
Picture Frames
Picture frames, especially antique or vintage frames, can be great finds in thrift stores. They were once crafted with great detail, and most of the designs were very ornate. They were made from high-quality materials such as gold, silver, or wood.
Frames from the Victorian or Art Deco periods can be worth a surprising amount. Even simpler frames from unique materials, such as tortoiseshell or hand-carved wood, can have high resale potential.
Frames that depict their age can be worth more than their modern, mass-produced counterparts. Many collectors will pay a premium for frames that complement rare or original artwork.
Vintage Sporting Goods
Vintage sporting goods are a niche that is gaining popularity among collectors. Items like old baseball gloves, golf clubs, and antique fishing rods can command high prices.
For instance, a vintage baseball glove from a Hall of Fame player or a classic wooden golf club might be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Sporting memorabilia has been in high demand, particularly from early 20th-century games, and this has been evident through auctions.
Mismatched China
“Thrift stores are loaded with a fun mix of dinnerware that’s great for picnics and outdoor entertaining,” Kathryn Murphy of Kathryn Murphy Interiors says. Individual plates or cups from well-known porcelain manufacturers like Wedgwood, Royal Worcester, or Limoges can bring in an astonishing amount.
Collectors of vintage china often seek out rare patterns, even if pieces are separate from a complete set. These are particularly valuable when they are in great condition and bear the signature of renowned makers.
Although discovering an entire set is a big bonus, one rare piece from the desired manufacturer can be sold for hundreds of dollars on eBay and other similar websites. Vintage china is in demand for decoration, where single pieces can be used in different styles.
Signed Art
Signed artworks, particularly from renowned artists or those of historical significance, command a much higher value. The occasional paintings, prints, or sculptures from highly acclaimed artists make thrift stores the most unlikely of places to strike gold.
The key would be to authenticate their signatures to establish their value based on their provenance. Even unsigned pieces from renowned schools or periods can fetch high prices when their style or technique appeals to collectors.
Quilts
Quilts can fetch a handsome amount when sold, especially antique ones or those made by hand. Hand-quilted quilts from the 19th century or with unique patterns have a high demand among collectors and interior designers.
Quilts in good condition can fetch between a few hundred and thousands of dollars at auction. The value of a quilt depends on its age, fabric, craftsmanship, and pattern.
Collectors often focus on quilts made by well-known makers or those associated with historical events, such as Civil War-era quilts. Vintage quilts can be sold at specialty antique auctions or online platforms like Etsy, where buyers look for functional and decorative pieces.
Glass Art
Glass art, including Murano glass, Venetian glass, or blown glass, is often undervalued at thrift stores, offering excellent resale potential. These can sell for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, especially with vases, bowls, and sculptures made of glass from the vintage era.
The main ways to identify valuable glass art are to recognize the maker’s mark, check for bubbles or imperfections that could mean the item was handmade, and the item’s condition.
Coffee Table Books
“Books are a big, big part of many of our designs and can really eat up a budget, so we are constantly on the lookout for great coffee table books at thrift stores,” Mark Cutler of Cutlerschulze, an interior design firm based in Los Angeles says. Limited edition books signed by the authors or with great photography can attract quite impressive prices in secondary markets.
Rare books on art, fashion, or history are in huge demand. Look for first editions, books in excellent condition, or those containing unique features like artist signatures or special binding.
Silver and Gold Jewelry
Antique and older silver and gold jewelry also turn up at many thrift stores and can be resold at a considerable margin. Gold and silver items, if in good condition, can be melted down for their metal content or resold as collectibles.
Look for items with hallmarks identifying the quality and place of origin, such as “925” for sterling silver or “14K” for gold. Designer pieces may also be valuable, including older items from Tiffany & Co. or Cartier. Vintage costume jewelry, especially from the 1920s and 1930s, is also in great demand.
Vintage Fiestaware
“This highly collectible, brightly colored dinnerware livens up any party and looks amazing when it’s styled on floating shelves,” Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors explains. Dinner plates, serving bowls, and mugs from certain periods demand a high price, especially if they are discontinued colors or in mint condition.
Pieces from the 1930s through the 1960s command a real value, but specific color glazes really make items like turquoise or ivory pop. Note the marking on the bottom of the pieces for the year of production.
Glass Candlesticks
Antique glass candlesticks, especially those from renowned firms like Fenton or Murano, can be quite valuable. Glass candlesticks are among the most underpriced items in thrift stores, so they are among the best items to look for as a savvy shopper.
Condition, age, and maker’s mark all determine their value. The more intricate the design or the rarer the glass type, such as art glass or lead crystal, the more valuable the candlesticks will be.
Look for candlesticks with unique features, such as hand-blown designs or unusual colors, since these attract collectors and decorators.
Decorative Wall Brackets or Corbels
Once functionally used to hold up shelves or mantelpieces, wall brackets and corbels are now highly sought after for their decorative potential. Antique specimens made from wood, iron, or marble can fetch hundreds of dollars if resold.
Brackets or corbels used in house renovation or rehabilitation projects are highly valued by collectors and designers alike. Their appeal is particularly strong when they feature minute carvings made from scarce materials or originate from renowned factories.
Bookends
Bookends, especially antique or vintage ones, can frequently be found at thrift stores and resold for substantial amounts. Items made from brass, marble, or wood with detailed designs or historical significance can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Bookends featuring famous artists, landmarks, or periods like Art Deco or mid-century modern are in high demand. Pay attention to the item’s condition and any designer marks denoting its origin.
Vintage bookends remain highly popular among collectors and anyone seeking to add sophistication to their bookshelves.
Spongeware
“Spongeware pieces can fetch up to thousands of dollars, especially if you’re lucky enough to nab full sets or score something from the 19th or early 20th centuries,” Marie Joh, a merchandiser at The Six Bells notes. Items such as bowls, plates, and pitchers can easily bring hundreds of dollars at auction, especially if they are pieces from well-known manufacturers.
The color schemes of these spongeware items could vary, but the top three most common colors are blue, red, and brown. Collectors, of course, would want spongeware with a pattern very seldom seen or produced from specific potteries.
Age and condition will both play a major role in determining value. Look for spongeware with clear markings, as they can raise the price when resold online or at antique stores by a significant margin.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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