Not every collectible comes with flashing headlines and bidding wars. Some items rise in value quietly—so quietly, in fact, that you might not even realize you own one. From retro kitchenware to oddball memorabilia, these forgotten treasures have been steadily climbing in demand among collectors this year.
So if you’ve been cleaning out closets or clearing shelves, it might be worth taking another look. These six overlooked collectibles are having a moment—and you’ll be glad you held onto them.
1. Vintage Tupperware
For years, those pastel food storage containers were the punchline of every kitchen joke. Now? They’re a hot collectible. With nostalgia for mid-century design surging, complete Tupperware sets from the 1950s through the ’80s have shot up in value.
Rare colors like “Hot Pink” or “Avocado Green” are especially desirable, and pieces with their original lids in pristine shape can sell for hundreds. Sealed sets or rare promotional items are fetching even more. Who knew leftover lasagna containers would someday pay for dinner out?
2. Old Cameras
While everyone’s phone doubles as a high-end camera these days, collectors are rediscovering the magic of analog. Vintage film cameras—especially 35mm models from Nikon, Canon, and Leica—are quietly climbing in value.
Film photography’s revival has made these mechanical gems highly sought after, particularly cameras in working condition with original lenses. Even simple point-and-shoots from the 1990s are being scooped up by younger collectors. That dusty camera bag in your closet might just contain a snapshot of profit.
3. Vintage Cookbooks
As food nostalgia takes over social media, collectors are snapping up old cookbooks faster than ever. First editions from icons like Julia Child, Betty Crocker, and The Joy of Cooking have risen sharply in value this year.
Even quirky community cookbooks or mid-century diet guides are fetching attention for their retro charm and cultural relevance. Complete copies with intact dust jackets and handwritten notes inside? Those are gold. It turns out, Grandma’s stained casserole recipe might be worth more than just fond memories.
4. Early McDonald’s Toys
Those Happy Meal toys you once tossed in the backseat? They’ve aged into collectibles. 1980s and ’90s McDonald’s toys—especially crossover promotions with Disney or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—have seen a sharp rise in value this year.
Complete sets in unopened packaging can sell for hundreds online. The nostalgia factor is driving demand, with millennial collectors chasing the thrill of childhood favorites. So before you laugh off those tiny plastic figures, check eBay—they might just buy your next Big Mac.
5. Decorative Ashtrays
Once a symbol of mid-century social life, decorative ashtrays fell out of fashion decades ago—but they’re back, at least for collectors. Ceramic, glass, and metal ashtrays from the 1940s–1970s, especially branded or artist-signed versions, are gaining traction as vintage décor.
Look for bold designs, restaurant logos, or atomic-era motifs. Italian Murano glass ashtrays and pieces by Bitossi or Blenko have been particularly hot this year. Ironically, they’re being used as catchall trays and jewelry holders now—proof that style really does come full circle.
6. Old Advertising Thermometers
You’ve probably seen them: metal thermometers with Coca-Cola or Sinclair Oil logos hanging in antique shops. These vintage advertising pieces were once given away for free—and now collectors can’t get enough of them.
Thermometers from the 1930s through 1960s featuring vibrant graphics or original paint have doubled or tripled in price this year. Pristine examples can fetch several hundred dollars, while rarer ones have topped $1,000. If there’s one still hanging in your garage, it might be time to take a closer look.
The Takeaway
Not every collectible makes a splash—some just quietly grow in value while nobody’s watching. From cookbooks to cameras, these under-the-radar items prove that the next big find might already be sitting on your shelf. So before you declutter, do a little digging—you might discover you’ve been sitting on a small fortune in forgotten favorites.
