Any item over 100 years old is called antique, but the items aged more than 40 years but less than 100 falls under the vintage category. Then there are retro items over 20 years old but haven’t reached the 40-year mark. Retro and vintage are often used interchangeably.
All the collectors know how valuable antiques are, but vintage and retro collectibles aren’t too far behind.
Vintage collectibles are now popular not just among collectors but also among millennials because of nostalgia. As millennials grow older, they like to keep hold of items that remind them of their childhood.
Vintage and thrift shopping has become the new “in” thing. It has already become a suitable alternative to buying brand-new clothing or other items.
Read on to find the top-trending vintage and retro collectibles today.
THE BEST VINTAGE COLLECTIBLES WORTH INVESTING IN
Whether you’re a collector or a non-collector, vintage shopping has become popular among both. It has enabled people to attain unique products rather than purchasing mass-produced items from brands. Plus, it’s an excellent way to conserve resources.
Here are some of the best vintage collectibles that are worth your money.
VINTAGE T-SHIRTS
Vintage t-shirts are one of the most popular collectibles today. They are comfortable clothing worn when lounging at home or casual parties. Concert t-shirts, in particular, are an excellent way to keep the music legacy of your favorite artists alive. Plus, they are worth a lot of money. They are also a form of self-expression and help reduce the fashion industry’s carbon footprint.
Band t-shirts were introduced back in the 1960s but gained popularity in the 70s when the selling of band merchandise became mainstream. Their popularity is back on the rise today, so much, so that top brands such as H&M are recreating retro-inspired clothing.
While you can purchase vintage band and concert shirt replicas, nothing beats the sense of familiarity and nostalgia an original can bring. The thrill of going to thrift stores and garage sales to find vintage clothing is a complete experience that only collectors can understand.
But distinguishing an original from a replica is essential for true collectors. You can look at the tags as most of the band t-shirts in the 70s had tags and were made with 50/50 polyester and cotton instead of 100 percent cotton shirts.
VINTAGE LIGHTERS
All collectors know the true value of vintage lighters. Lighters were first invented in 1823. Throughout the course of history, they attained many different forms and shapes. The lighters of the early 1900s are a rare find. But after 1920, cigarette lighters started taking on an artistic form, giving them a unique outlook that is still valued today.
Over the years, lighters took on many forms in an effort to modernize the design. You can find three categories of vintage lighters today: manual striking type, semiautomatic, and automatic lighters.
The manual striking type is similar to the Zippos. They have a wheel that needs to be turned to ignite the wick. In semiautomatic lighters, a button is pushed, which opens the lighter’s covers and spins the wheel simultaneously, resulting in an ignited wick.
In automatic lighters, only one action is required. You only need to push the button, which will produce a flame for as long as it is pressed.
In world war II, Zippos became an instant hit, but the models of that era are hard to find. But you can still find a variety of vintage lighters from the 70s that are valuable assets for all collectors. These lighters are easily available in thrift stores, garage sales, and auctions.
VINTAGE KEYCHAINS
Many collectors from around the world have a knack for collecting vintage keychains. They are mainly used as souvenirs from vacations and trips. Some of the most valuable keychains from the pre-70s era feature famous cartoon and fictional characters, monuments, etc.
Ship helms, company logos, guns, and other similar designs are popular among vintage keychain collectors.
VINTAGE SEALED CLASSICAL LPS
Collectors value vintage classical LPs around the globe. They are considered prized possessions by old fans and their warm sound quality. Many collectors invested in this particular niche do not fancy digitalized sounds and prefer listening to old classics in the LP format. The sealed ones are rare and always sell for a higher price than open ones.
VINTAGE DVDS AND CDS
In the age of Netflix and Amazon Prime, DVDs have become outdated, but for collectors, they hold a lot of value. The same is the case with vintage CDs.
Even though both CDs and DVDs are now no longer used and are mostly stacked away in storage boxes at home, they can still sell for a high price as collectors are always hunting for vintage collections of their favorite movies and music.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
No matter how old certain items get, they can never be called junk. At least, not by collectors who truly value vintage and retro collectibles. Be it old concert t-shirts, cigarette lighters, keychains, LPs, DVDs, or CDs; every collector knows how precious these items are. Not only do they preserve the memories of the past and instill nostalgia, but they also hold high monetary value.
Don’t know where to find the best retro collectibles? We’ve got you covered. How to Become a Picker collects the best vintage items from auctions, garage sales, and thrift stores and sells them to true collectors who understand their value.
Visit our website http://www.howtobecomeapicker.com to view our collection and start your journey to becoming a true collector.