Those old trinkets in your grandmother’s home could be worth thousands of dollars, especially if those trinkets happen to be from the 1940s. That’s right. Collectibles from the World War II era are selling for more than ever. Items like clocks, comic books, doorsteps, and barware could be worth a lot.
Incredible trends from the 1940s are coming back into vogue, making original collectibles more valuable than ever. Could you be sitting on a small fortune?
Check out our list of 13 collectibles from the 1940s with sky-high values you won’t expect. If you own any of these items, congratulations! Your net worth just increased!
1. Doorstops ($11,000)
John Hubley founded his manufacturing company in 1894. By 1909, the company had specialized in cast iron decorative elements like door knockers and doorstops. Hubley cast iron figures were made to look like houses, floral blooms, and animals. They became trendy with collectors decades ago and still are. One of these 1940s collectibles with original paint can fetch anywhere from $400 to $11,000 at auction.
2. Art Deco Clocks ($1,000)
Small desks and wall clocks were all the rage in the 1940s. The opulent designs featured mirrored faces, golden accents, and geometric patterns that mimicked trends of the time. For collectors, these pieces are as popular now as they were then. Some of these clocks can be found for $50 or less. However, many higher-value models can be worth as much as $1,000.
3. Board Games ($1,000+)
In the 1940s, board games were very popular. They promoted spending time with family and were popular with children and adults. Some of these board games are still highly collectible in modern times. For example, the 1940s editions of Milton Bradley games can sell for thousands of dollars in pristine condition.
4. Midcentury Barware ($1,500+)
Midcentury aesthetics remain popular, even decades after their creation. This is true for 1940s barware, much of which is highly sought after. Glassware from the World War II era can fetch thousands of dollars in the right collection. Collectors enjoy the bright colors and unique patterns of companies like Hazel-Atlas, Libbey, and Federal Glass. Find the right barware; a single piece could sell for $1,500 or more.
5. Zippo Lighters ($6,350)
In the 1940s, millions of adults smoked every day. Lighters were in high demand, and the most prominent brand was Zippo. These Zippo lighters are highly collectible and can be worth a lot of money in modern antique markets. A 3 or 4-barrel Zippo model from the 1940s can sell for a whopping $6,350.
6. Classic Quilts ($2,000+)
Elaborate vintage quilts are all the rage within interior design circles. These pretty multicolor quilts were very popular in the 1940s. Most homes had at least one of these quilts covering the beds and sofas. Many can still be found today. Passed down through generations, some quilts can sell for as much as $2,000.
7. Duck Decoys ($2,000+)
In the 1940s and 50s, handpainted duck decoys were a highly collectible piece of home decor. Fast forward to the 1980s, when some of these decoys were selling for $190,000. What makes a valuable duck decoy? If you have an antique duck decoy in pristine condition and from the right region, you could be looking at a huge payday.
8. Celebrity Autographs ($83,000+)
Autographs have always been a collectible item. However, the right autograph from the 1940s can fetch as much as $83,000. Look at the autographs of Babe Ruth. Even though he played from 1914-1935, a single autograph from ‘The Great Bambino’ in the 40s can earn five figures at auction.
9. Baseball Cards ($1,000,000+)
Baseball collectors know that older is better. That’s certainly true with 1940s baseball cards. Some cards can be sold for thousands or even millions of dollars. It depends on variables like player, year, and the card’s condition time of appraisal. Baseball cards remain a solid investment for sports collectors.
10. Comic Books ($9,000)
Many associate comic books with the 70s and 80s. However, some of the most valuable comic books out there hail from the 1940s. Many great comics were produced in the 40s, including The Black Terror. A first edition copy of this comic sold in 2021 for $9,000 in an auction.
11. Tourist Pottery ($350+)
In the 1920s, miniature Ozark pottery became a popular collector’s piece and continued through the 1940s and into the 1950s. The tiny pottery, sold in roadside stands, was colorful and attractive in the home. Today, pieces made by Morton Pottery, Niloak, and Nemadji can sell for a sum north of $350.
12. Victor Radios ($4,000)
RCA purchased Victor Radios in 1929. By 1940, these art-deco-styled radios dominated the market and were everywhere. Plastic was new at the time, making these radios high fashion. Today, the right vintage RCA radio can bring up to $4,000, especially if it’s in pristine condition and still working.
13. Midcentury Furniture ($2,000+)
Few collectibles from the 1940s are more valuable than high-quality furniture. Midcentury furniture from the 40s and 50s are sought-after decorative pieces. The right piece, like a sofa or a dining table, can sell for hundreds of dollars. To the right collectors, select pieces can even earn thousands of dollars in an antique shop.
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