If you happen to have an old hardcover copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, it might be a good idea to dust it off and take a look inside. If it contains the print line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1", and is credited to ‘Joanne Rowling’ rather then JK, this edition of the book could be worth up to $55,000!
The American version of the book, called “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” could also be worth something. Look for the print line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02” located on the copyright page. If you’re lucky, your old childhood favorite could be sold for up to $6,500.
Happy Meal toys might look cheap, but if you happened to keep a few old ones stashed somewhere you’re in luck. If It’s a collection you might be sitting on a gold mine! Not all happy meal toys are valuable, however. The online shop LoveAntique.com compiled a list of trinkets from the chain’s past ordered from the most to least valuable today.
All power rangers form 1994 and their vehicles could earn you $350, Inspector Gadget toys from 1995 are worth $350 each, and a Furby from 2000 is worth $120, to name a few examples.
Related Article: These 1980s Toys Are Worth a Fortune!
Another classic item to keep a collection of is the vinyl record. Audiophiles swear by the sound quality of vinyl over any CDs, mp3 files, and any other medium. Even the younger generation started seeing the appeal in recent years, as vinyl sales continue to increase each year. Those of you who grew up with vinyl records might have a cherished collection spanning through the years.
Some of the most collectible records include The Beatles' "Yesterday and Today," which has gone for as much as $15,300 on eBay, and Bob Dylan's "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," which has sold for up to $35,000.
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The late 1930s to mid-1950s are considered the Golden Age for American comics. Most of the superheroes and adventure characters that have frown into billion-dollar brands today, were first introduced in the comic books of that era. Among the most expensive comics are the ones that tell the story of a superhero’s first adventures, but in order to carry a large price tag, they must also be in near-mint condition. A New York Daily report mentions the 1939 issue of D.C.'s "Detective Comics" that introduces Batman is now worth a whopping $1.38 million. However, prices can vary greatly. If you are interested you can check out the Comics Price Guide.
“Midcentury modern” is a difficult term to define. It broadly describes furniture roughly dating form 1933 to 1965. Most mid-century designs had gone out of fashion by the late 60s, but in the mid-80, interest in the period began to return. Within a decade, a niche market of collectors had already driven up prices of the original pieces significantly.
Currently, a 1960’s Safari sofa is going for $60,000 on eBay, and if you have an original George Nakashima cabinet you could sell it for over $20,000.
Of course, not any old pair will bring you a fortune. There are a few rare designs that collectors and sneaker enthusiasts are after. The most noteworthy example is the auto-lacing Nike Maf sneakers - the pair made famous in the Back to the Future trilogy. These shoes have gone for 30,000 to $60,000 on eBay!
You could also make a profit off of vintage Converse All-Stars, especially from the 50s and 60s. On eBay, they are priced at about $100 to $1000, depending on the date of their manufacture and their condition.
