You’ll be surprised to know what people keep in storage that they believe could be worth thousands of pounds. In 2021, a collector sold the original iPod in sealed packaging for $29,000 (£21,764.50). That’s a 73x increase in value from its original price when it launched in 2001 at $399 (£224.40). Before you throw your old items away, you might want to check if they’re worth storing so that you can potentially take home hundreds, even thousands, of pounds in the future.
So, what valuable items have people been holding on to for years that could make them money?
TEPS has researched the data to find what items people store in their homes to potentially receive thousands of pounds.
First edition novels
Do you have a passion for reading? Do you keep all the books you read? Some people buy and store first editions in case they become valuable again in 20 years. A growing number of collectors have done just that and made thousands of dollars from their investments.
If you have any first edition books stored away, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. A notable example is “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel, released in 2002; a signed first edition could be worth around £1,500. Bradly Fry, the Founder of PinProsPlus, has been actively collecting first editions with plans to sell them in the future. Bradly says, “As physical books become more of a rarity in the digital age, the demand for tangible pieces of literacy history is expected to rise.”
We’ve looked to see which books people have kept hidden on their bookshelves that could be worth a fortune. We’ve also highlighted the most significant price increase, their launch price, and what they are worth in mint condition today.
1. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
Launch Price: £13.88
Current Price: £3,892.11
Percentage Increase: 27,700%
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama takes the top spot. The value of this signed, pristine first edition has increased by a whopping 27,700% since its launch price in 2007. This remarkable rise is mostly due to the rarity of signed autobiographies and Barack Obama’s enduring popularity among fans and collectors. Anticipating that his memorabilia would gain significant value following his presidency, many enthusiasts chose to store these items, and they were glad they did so, as buyers are now willing to pay premium prices for signed memorabilia.
2. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Launch Price: £18.99
Current Price: £2,600
Percentage Increase: 13,584%
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel has risen to second place in value among first edition books, with its value increasing over 13,584% since its release just over 15 years ago. This historical novel continues to be a popular timepiece for fans of classical literature, including the works of the Bronte sisters. The book’s popularity was further amplified in 2015 when it was adapted into a successful television series by the BBC, leading to a significant spike in sales.
3 . The Children of Hurin by J.R.R Tolkien
Launch Price: £6.93
Current Price: £1,729.33
Percentage Increase: 24,600%
Next is The Children of Hurin by the esteemed author J.R.R Tolkien. Best known for his work on the Lord of the Rings, this novel was first published in 2007 and gained similar popularity, with a staggering 24,000% increase from its launch price to the present. Tolkein’s reputation has made this book a sought-after item, with collectors eager to invest for future profit. Currently rated 4.5 stars on Amazon, The Children of Hurin is anticipated to be recognised as a classic for generations to come. So, you know what to do if he comes out with any new novels.
Retro video game consoles
You’ll be surprised how many people keep video game consoles in their attic for future monetary value. But is your Nintendo DS worth saving? Let’s have a look.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the market for vintage game consoles and rare video games, with many enthusiasts and collectors keenly interested in these nostalgic items. Even though some video games have not been appreciated in value as significantly as collectible first edition books, many have still retained and even increased in worth. For those who have stored sealed vintage video game consoles along with games there is a large potential for making money on platforms like eBay.
The original Atari Jaguar, released in 1993, proves this point. While it has not experienced significant appreciation in monetary value, a version in mint conidition has the potential to sell for over £900. Collectors of video game consoles are increasingly focused on the technological advancements of newer systems and may update their consoles to include the latest software, further increasing their market appeal.
It can be challenging to see the value in vintage game consoles, but some people have been storing video games, hoping to receive thousands of pounds.
Now, if you have a game console, you definitely have the games to go alongside it, and collectors could pay hundreds, even thousands, for those vintage rare games. “Nostalgia’s a big seller, and people my age are looking to recapture a slice of their childhood, and I bet they’ll pay good money for it,” says Rhett Stubbendeck, a rare collector from Leverage Planning. “This has worked for vinyl and classic cars, so video games are surely next.”
You might be sitting on a small fortune if you were lucky enough to grow up in a PC gaming household in the 90s. Nintendo 64 games have risen in price, and those with a sealed and graded Nintendo 64 game could be in with a few hundred pounds. For example, a boxed standard Hercules game will be around £100, but a sealed version could be worth £500+. If, by chance, you have a sealed SEGA CD of The Adventures of Batman and Robin, you could sell that on eBay for £279.99. Or you could keep a hold of that game again for another 26 years, and well, it might have just doubled or tripled in price.
What else have people put into storage for monetary value?
Many are unaware of the potential treasure troves hidden within their own households. As collectors frequently recognise the value in items that may seem like junk to the untrained eye, now is the perfect time to explore your belongings.
As the market for collectibles continues to thrive, what you might overlook could bring in some extra cash. Keep on reading to find more valuable items that you could store and sell for money in the future.
Vinyl records
Are you a music enthusiast with old vinyl records collecting dust? If so, you might be sitting on a hidden treasure. The value of vinyl records can vary significantly based on factors such as the artist, album, and release date.
An example of this is the recent sale of a rare multi-coloured splatter vinyl of AC/DC’s classic album, “If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It,” orignally released in 1978. After 46 years, this pristine record sold for an impressive £5,245.
If you have forgotten records in your collection, now might be the perfect time to dust them off and see what they’re worth.
Old timepiece watches
Watches are timepieces, and, let’s be honest, the big names bring value year after year. So, why should we keep them in storage and not sell them straight away?
Well, Brian Davis at HandyRubbish said, “Vintage timepieces, specifically those produced by famous brands with a smaller production capacity, are now kept by the fans who do not intend to wear them, as well as by those who believe such pieces can either yield profits or hold their value in the long run.”
The more complex your watch, the more valuable it will likely be. A popular brand that holds consistent value over time is Rolex. If you’re currently wearing one, keep hold of it, as you never know what it could be worth in 20 years. Dating back to 1905, Rolex is known for its high-quality timepieces and one with monetary value over time. So, if you’re looking for a watch to invest in, Rolex is a strong choice.
Vintage toys
In recent years, collectibles from iconic movie franchises have captured the attention of enthuasiasts and collectors. Whether you grew up in the 1970s or are simply a devoted Star Wars fan, the potential value of merchandise from this is remarkable. Today’s popular films, such as Deadpool and Wolverine, also feature merchan dise that could appreciate significantly over time. Figurines that remain in their original packaging may potentially be worth hundreds of pounds in the future.
Vintage action figures from the 1970s and 80s have become particularly valuable among collectors. A prime example of this occurred in 2015 when a Japanese collector auctioned a 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure still in its box, selling for an incredible $25,000 (18,805).
VHS tapes
Blockbuster films from the late 1970s and 80s released on VHS are increasing in value, especially if they are sealed with a studio watermark. Do you have any?
A rare VHS tape, Subway to the Stars, is being sold for £936.48 compared to its original launch price of $69.95 (£52.64). That is a whopping 1,666% increase in value.
This makes us think, should we start holding on to our DVDs?
Methodology
The first edition novel data was configured on Abe Books, researching and filtering down data from highest sold to lowest. The launch price of each was taken from the details on the site, and the inflation was adjusted using this calculator here. All dollars were converted into pounds.
The game consoles were found in Wikipedia’s list of titles released in 2000. They took the data from NetVoucherCodes and found the cost of game consoles through the years. eBay was then used to see what they were currently being sold for in 2024. These prices were also adjusted for inflation using this calculator here. The percentage change was calculated by comparing the price at launch and the current new price.
The estimated value in 2040 was calculated by dividing the percentage change by the number of years since its release to find an average annual increase and multiplying this by 16.
Vinyl Record prices were taken from RareVinyl, looking at prices highest to lowest on the Rare Vinyl LPs.
The VHS tape data was found on Etsy, looking at the extremely rare sellers.
The Star Wars action figure data was taken from WealthyGorilla.com.
Any quotes from experts were taken from research on Connectively from journalists.