With 30 years of reselling under my belt, I’m the go-to guy when friends need a quick appraisal. And over the years I’ve noticed a recurring phenomenon: The vintage items most people consider valuable usually aren’t, and the things they want to toss are often hot collectibles.
Here’s why: Many of us get our idea of what’s valuable from our parents. But markets change, and new collectors have different tastes.
What disregarded treasures are hiding in your home right now? The answers might surprise you. In this series, we’ll explore hot collectibles you might already own.
1. McCartys Pottery
An old episode of “Antiques Roadshow” enlightened me about the wonderful regional pottery of Lee and Pup McCarty. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to find McCartys Pottery pieces as far north as Vancouver, Washington.
The couple began producing their wares in near Oxford, Mississippi, in 1954. Back then, an old mule barn served as the production studio and the source of clay was a ravine located on the property of William Faulkner (yes, that William Faulkner). The famed author heard about the young couple from his daughter, Jill, and invited the artists to take as much clay as they wanted.
Many pieces of McCartys Pottery feature a prominent dark squiggly line on the glazed surface. Though it may appear to be a flaw, it’s completely intentional. The freeform line represents the vast and winding Mississippi River. With or without the trademark squiggle, each piece will be marked “McCartys, Merigold, Miss” or simply “McCartys”
Recently on eBay, this 6-inch McCartys pitcher sold for $950, and this 9-inch cat figurine sold for $202.50.
2. Pewabic tiles
Since 1903, Pewabic has been a force for craftsmanship and creative innovation in Detroit, Michigan. Founded by Mary Chase Perry and her husband, Horace Caulkins, Pewabic became an early leader in the Arts and Crafts movement, offering cutting-edge iridescent glazes and high-relief tiles for architects and designers around the world.
Today, Pewabic is a Detroit destination. Its studio is designated a National Historic Landmark and its working pottery, tile shop, and arts and education center operate as a nonprofit driven by a single mission: to enrich the human sprit through clay.
The Pewabic wordmark appears on the underside of tiles. Look for a circular impressed logo that reads, “Pewabic Detroit” with the production year in the center. On eBay, this angel-themed Pewabic tile sold for $166.13, and on Etsy, this pair of tiles from 1998 is listed for $399.
3. Higgins art glass
A staple of midcentury design, Higgins was founded in 1948 by husband-and-wife team, Michael and Frances Higgins. Rather than hand-blowing glass, the couple fused enamel-coated segments of colored glass together in a kiln.
Working out of their Chicago apartment (with small kilns set up behind the sofa), Higgins produced highly complex, tactile and colorful plates, jewelry, vases and mobiles.
Pieces are typically marked with the printed or etched “Higgins” name and an impressed abstract image that collectors call the “dancing man” (see an example in the upper left corner on the Higgins Glass Studio homepage).
This Higgins glass trivet recently sold for $215.67 on eBay, and this lidded cigarette box sold for $125.
Don’t go breakin’
This article’s vintage valuables have one thing in common — they’re breakable! After 30 years of buying and selling online, I developed a theory: The value of breakable items is increasing faster than any other collectibles category. With so many new sellers and so much packing and shipping going on, breakage is quickly making things rarer and more expensive.
If you find a fragile treasure in your home and decide to sell, my advice is this: Charge a healthy amount for shipping, pack the item like it’s heading off to war, and make sure you’ve insured it for full value.
Curious about the ever-changing world of collectibles? Check out my series on hidden treasures in the secondhand market.