45 Things in Your Attic That May Be Worth a Lot of Money

Julia Child is one of America's favorite chefs, and her first cookbook swept the nation when it was published in 1961. If you've hung onto an original copy, you may be in the market for more than just a satisfied appetite—a first edition in good condition with the original jacket is rare and earns top dollar on Ebay and other online auctions sites.

What it's worth: $2,000 and up

Post WWII, Americans were in a celebratory mood, and at-home entertaining (especially cocktail parties) was all the rage. Important to the affair was the offering of the appropriate graphic and colorful barware—with just the right dose of gold glitz—by well-known glassware companies such as Libbey, Federal Glass, Hazel-Atlas, and Culver. As the craze for retro cocktails has grown, so has love for the accompanying accoutrements. But you don’t have to wait for a party to enjoy them. These modern pieces make a fun addition to your everyday table.

What it's worth: $15 to $1,500

When it comes to the nostalgia factor, nothing tops an original concert poster, and the bigger the name (read, the Beatles!), the better. Appraiser Helaine Fendelman advises that framed posters are more desirable and bring in the higher end of the $100-$1,000 range, although those of bigger headliners may bring much more at auction—a poster for a 1966 Shea Stadium Beatles concert sold for $137,000 earlier this year.

What it's worth: up to $25,000

When young lithographer Milton Bradley founded his Springfield, Massachusetts-based printing business, an English board game he'd been introduced to by a friend was very much on his mind. He decided to launch a U.S. version of the game, The Checkered Game of Life, in 1860. The risk paid off in a big way, and so began his company's new direction and the eventual introduction of more than 1,000 games. Some were based on traditional card and parlor games, some gave a nod to cultural themes (money during the Depression, patriotism during war times), while others banked on characters from pop culture (think Superman or Charlie's Angels). When it comes to resale, sealed, unopened boxes often double the value, but the retro nostalgia of childhood family nights equals dollars for most titles.

What it's worth: $10 to $800

Small wall and desk clocks in the Art Deco style reached peak popularity in the 1930s and ’40s. Their shapes and materials reflected the opulence of the era—think mirrored faces, gold accents, and geometric designs that mimicked the skyscrapers popping up in major cities at the time. Many clocks can be found for under $50, but higher value models by esteemed makers like Westclox and Telechron can reach nearly $1,000 in value. (Tip: they’re super easy to spot. The maker name is usually shown on the clockface itself.)

What it's worth: $25 to $1,000

Duck decoys became highly collectable in the mid-20th century and prices have never been higher for pristine items. If you've inherited one, you could earn up to hundreds of thousands of dollars at an auction. Read further for more specifics on what makes for a valuable decoy.

What it's worth: Up to $650,000

When pegging the value of baseball cards, the general rule is that the older they are, the more they are worth. There are a lot of nuances that determine a card's worth though, so if you've come across a hoard of old cards, it's worth getting them appraised. Based on variables like condition, player, and year, a card can be sold online for thousands of dollars.

What it's worth: Up to $3.2 million

These mini vases measure just four inches tall but pack a decorative punch. Made by Morton Pottery, they’re just one example of the earthy swirled pottery popularized by Midwestern and Ozark-area makers like Niloak and Nemadji in the 1920s and ’30s. Often sold as roadside souvenirs, these colorful vessels are widely known as “tourist pottery.” Larger vases (12-plus inches tall) with maker’s marks can be worth upward of $300.

What it's worth: $15 to $350

Founded in 1919 as a subsidiary of General Electric, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was a pioneer in the radio industry. In 1929, RCA purchased the Victor Talking Machine Company (known for the Victrola phonograph), creating RCA Victor and launching their presence into consumer radios. The company followed its original Radiola line with Art Deco-style console and wooden radios that dominated the marketplace in the '30s and '40s. Plastic was all the craze post-WWII, and RCA answered with sleek, colorful tube radios make of Bakelite and, later, other nonresin plastics, like this trio pictured.

What it's worth: up to $4,000

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a pair of Super Bowl tickets back in the day, you could earn a big payout from holding onto them. Most of these paper tickets have a blue or yellow stripe on the top which, according to Sports Collectors Daily, sell for between $200 to $1,000. If you held onto tickets with white stripes on top, you could make up to $4,000. Of course, it depends on the popularity of the game, as well. Super Bowl II and Super Bowl XII tickets are particularly rare.

What it's worth: Up to $4,000

Samantha is one of the original American Girl dolls, and if yours is still in good condition with her original clothes and accessories, she could go for thousands of dollars.

What it's worth: $600 to $3,300

In 1894, John Hubley founded the Hubley Manufacturing Co. in Lancaster, LA. Initially, the company made wooden toys, but by 1909, they had moved into cast iron and aded decorative items such as banks, door knockers, and the very popular figural doorstops. Cast of molten pig iron and scrap iron that was poured into a sand mold, the hand-painted doorstops came in a wide range of subjects including dogs, houses, fictional characters, and dozens of blooming flower baskets. Today, doorstops with original paint regularly bring up to $400, but rare shapes can bring thousands. A Hubley giraffe doorstop recently sold for almost $11,000! (Tip: Look at the back for either a three-digit pattern number or the word "HUBLEY" to know if you have the real deal.)

What it's worth: $50-$10,000

Handwoven Persian rugs appreciate a lot over the years—although it takes a long time for that to happen. That rug your great-grandparent purchased may just be worth something now. Rugs that are more than 100 years old are considered antiques and their price is determined by size, material, knot-density, condition, and design.

What it's worth: $1,000 to $1 million

Of course, as with anything, rare comic books hold more value than common editions. In fact, a rare copy could be worth millions. But don't fret: More common books could still make you hundreds. Not too bad. Also keep an eye on the latest superhero movies when digging through your vintage comic books. This summer’s release of Marvel’s Eternals means a rise in popularity and price for the series (up to $1,000 for a pristine, never-read issue #1).

What it's worth: Up to several million

They might hold your pocket change, but old banks hiding out in your home might be worth a lot more. Though a simple piggy bank might not get you far, if you have something with a mechanical feature, you could be in luck. The Mechanical Bank Collectors of America have been seeking out these contraptions since 1958.

What it's worth: Up to $2,500

Young inventor Joshua Lionel Cowen launched his then-New York City-based Lionel Manufacturing Co. in 1900 with a standard gauge electric locomotive. After World War II, Lionel expanded its O-gauge steam locomotive offerings, including a series of "O27" gauge train sets, like the one pictured here. Priced as low as $19.95, the starter sets had plenty of tempting add-on cars and accessories that could be acquired year after year.

What it's worth: Up to $500

Vintage-style ads are popular for home decor , making actual vintage advertising signs highly sought after as well. Everything from soft drinks to gasoline can get you paid. (This is especially true for anything with Coca-Cola branding.)

What it's worth: Up to $15,000