You may be used to replacing your cell phone every few years, thanks to better hardware and software, and chasing after the new thing. But if you happen to have one of these huge, vintage pieces of mobile technology, take a look. If you have one from long enough ago, you could be looking to rake in the cash. Dating back to the beginnings of cell phone history.
The original mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC, has been seen on eBay for up to $500 – outside the packaging. Inside, think five figures.
First Edition of "Where the Wild Things Are"
We all know how crucial it was to get a bedtime story before we went to bed. Do you guys remember this book? Well, it was the real deal back then.
In 2012, a signed 1963 first edition of this book by Maurice Sendak was sold on Abebooks.com for a whopping $25k. We are in awe because the book was in extremely good condition. As you can see in the photo, the book looks like it’s brand new, which is especially surprising because picture books rarely survive out there without getting ripped, smudged, smeared, stained, bitten, or otherwise abused.
Beer Cans
Between $35 and $1000, you've probably crushed a good number of these in your lifetime. Have you ever thought they were worth something? Think twice before throwing out your next empty – vintage is only a few years away. A man named Jeff Lebo has been collecting beer cans for 40 years in his vacation house in Pennsylvania, which he plans to convert into a resort.
His collection includes eighty-seven thousand empties, worth an estimated $1.6 million dollars! For a little more info, a flat top beer can from between 1935-1941 can be worth anything between $35 and $1000.
Pins
From the Olympic Games to Sports to Disney, and almost everything else, there are zillions and zillions of pins to attach to your outfit, and some of them are worth plenty. While the Steamboat Willie pin goes for $5k, probably the most expensive pins are sports-related: the 1912 World Series Press Pin, between the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox, goes for $57,000.
It's especially valuable to Boston fans, as it was the first year Fenway Park opened, where the Sox still play. That's a pretty penny for an old pin.
Old stamps
The American Philatelic Society (a society for stamp and stamp collectors) says that while rookies begin collecting any and all stamps, expert collectors know that certain stamps are from other countries, specific regions, and for special events. Over ten thousand new stamps are issued each year worldwide, says the society. Mint condition stamps (never been used) sell the best, but used ones can still bring in the paper.
In May 2019, a collector was selling his entire collection on eBay. Opportunities for reselling are pretty good, and the investment is pretty low!