The 1950s was a time that helped catapult society forward. Technology was advancing to the point where people had televisions in their homes. Phones were more popular than ever before. In 2024, these pieces of technology have advanced far beyond where they were in the 1950s, but the introduction of technology to society helped prepare everyone for where the world was heading. If you’re lucky enough to find a piece of technology from that decade, you’re in luck.
Over the years, the value of sports memorabilia has gone up as well. During the 1950s, baseball players like Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio took the field. Jim Brown established himself as one of the greatest running backs to ever play football. The NBA and NHL were expanding West. There are countless different cards, autographs, and jerseys that fans are constantly on the lookout for to add to their collections.
The explosion of the MCU and DCEU over the last 15 years has made comic books soar in value. Some of the first editions of these books were released during the 1950s. Whenever you’re going through boxes of stuff from that decade, keep an eye out for comic books that include characters like Batman and Spider-Man. If you’re lucky enough to come across a comic book from that decade, feel free to start counting your money then. For more 1950s coverage, click here to read about the most relatable TV characters from the decade.
To compile this list of items from the ’50s that are now worth a fortune, 24/7 Tempo consulted historical sources. These include Yahoo Finance, The Spokesman-Review, and Dr. Lori.
Sports memorabilia
Sports memorabilia is something that will usually always have value, especially if it’s from star players. The 1950s was filled with talented athletes like Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Jim Brown. Bill Russell was in college winning national championships at the University of San Francisco. Over the years, bats and gloves used by baseball players have gone up in value. In football, game used balls can fetch a pretty penny at the right auction.
Basketball was just starting to grow professionally, which means jerseys from the 50s have great value. One jersey in particular, the jersey of the Minneapolis Lakers, stands out compared to the rest. The Lakers brand is one of the biggest in sports which is why a jersey from the Minneapolis days is so sought after. If any sports fan in 2024 has learned anything, it’s to hold onto their sports memorabilia with the hopes of its value going up over time.
Cars
Seemingly the older the car, the more value it has. There’s something special about seeing a vintage car like a Corvette from the 1950s. Even though they were made more than 70 years ago, the cars still function today and seamlessly fit in wherever they’re driven. If you’re in the market for a car from the 1950s, make sure to get a fresh engine in it. While having the original engine adds to the “cool factor,” it’s smarter to have the latest technology.
That way, you’ll have plenty of confidence that the car won’t break down. Some 50s cars fetch upwards of $50,000, depending on the brand and condition. If you still have a car from the 1950s and are thinking about restoring it back to how it originally looked and sounded like, it’ll be worth it in the long run. If you’re restoring it with the hopes of selling for the big bucks, then you’re likely going to make a decent profit on the car.
Vintage clothes
The retro look is coming back with a vengeance, which means clothes from the 1950s are going up in value. Gen-Z has shown an affinity for old-school looks and a simpler way of life. Don’t be shy about wearing the old clothes you had tucked away but could never sell to retail shops that would pay top dollar for them. Gen-Z has glamorized movies like “Grease” to the point where they want to eat at diners with black jackets.
Gen-Z also cares about the authenticity of the things they wear. There’s no telling how long the old-school fashion trend will last, so if you’re looking to make a few extra dollars from stuff you don’t wear anymore, selling vintage clothes from the 1950s is a great way to do that.
Vinyl records
Music will likely always be part of most people’s lives. There’s something for seemingly everyone to listen to that can speak to your mood or the different events you have going on. One of the best ways artists like to sell their music is by offering vinyl records. In the 1950s, that was solely how people listened to music. In 2024, finding a record that was made in the 1950s from a well-known artist can bring in the big bucks for you.
People have started to put record players in their home for decoration, adding more value to a vinyl record that still plays. The problem with a vinyl record is that you can’t repair it if there are any damages that have been done to it. Make sure to treat your vinyl records well because the odds of them going up in value are likely.
Furniture
Gen-Z has a deep appreciation for items that represent an older time in history. To impress them, furniture these days has to have the retro look. If the furniture is from the 1950s, then it certainly has the old-school look that people are aiming for. The key with furniture is making sure that it’s clean and in great condition. Those buying retro-looking furniture still seek the comfort and cleanliness that they automatically have from modern furniture.
If you’re looking to sell your 50s furniture, you should also make sure you’re selling it to someone who will fit comfortably on whatever piece you have. People have grown bigger and taller over time, meaning furniture from the 1950s might not work well for someone in 2024. On a brighter note, furniture from that decade is great because it’s easily repairable, should there be any parts of it that need fixing.
Technology
Technology has evolved tremendously over the last 70 years. However, having a vintage television from the 1950s adds to the mystique that you might have in your home. For starters, it helps you appreciate how big and fancy televisions are in 2024. Rather than getting up to change the volume or channel, remotes do that for you. It’s amazing to look at a television set from the 1950s to see how far technology has come in 70 years.
Another piece of technology that’s grown in popularity from the 50s is a phone. While most people don’t have landlines anymore, that doesn’t mean that having a phone in your living room or kitchen isn’t stylish. For folks going for the retro look in their homes, a phone from the 1950s is a great way to complete the ambiance.
Motorcycles
Few things grab the attention of bystanders quite like a motorcycle. Some are loud and designed for style. Others are fast and can go from zero to 60 in a matter of moments. Most motorcycles from the 1950s were made for cruising around on with aesthetics in mind. Steve McQueen made the vehicle popular during his time as a Hollywood actor. One of the best brands of motorcycle to have from the 1950s is the Indian.
If you stumble across an Indian motorcycle from that decade, you’ve hit the jackpot. Like cars, motorcycle engines should be as up-to-date as possible to ensure the rider is safe and won’t break down in the middle of nowhere. Part of the allure of riding a motorcycle from the 1950s is the feeling of freedom that comes along with it.
Comic books
Growing up, most kids dream of saving the day from an evil villain plotting to take over the world. When comic books were introduced, readers escaped into the fantasy worlds that their favorite heroes lived in. Because of all the wear and tear comic books went through with kids reading them, few that were quality survived. If you have an original comic book that has minimal damage to it, you’re in luck.
It also depends on which characters appear in the comic. If they’re well-known characters like Wonder Woman or the Avengers, then you’re going to make a lot more money than if the comic contains heroes only a few people know about. Restoring comic books is complicated and can devalue the book if it’s done poorly. It’s safe to say the people who kept their comic books hidden and clean are thanking themselves now.
Stamps and coins
Plenty of people around the world collect stamps and coins. If you have an authentic stamp or coin that has the face of someone or something known worldwide, count your lucky stars. Stamps and coins from the 1950s are incredibly valuable. Because of what happened during World War II, there are plenty of iconic people on the stamps from that decade. Stamps from that time were often used, since there was no way to communicate via electronics yet.
Coins were just starting to get back into circulation during the 1950s. During World War II, most of the resources throughout the United States were put to helping fight the battles in Europe. Because of this, few coins were made until the 1950s again. Most of the coins that were minted during the 1950s were used, so finding a rare coin from that decade can be worth a pretty penny.
Unopened wine
It’s well-known that the longer alcohol ages, the better it becomes. Bottles of wine that have been in wine cellars since the 1950s go for large amounts of money. The taste is a lot deeper than alcohol that was recently made. Because of the taste, unopened bottles of wine from the 1950s cost plenty of money. If you’ve ever been to a fancy restaurant, then you’ve seen the price increase on bottles of wine that are older.
The most important detail is that the wine must have stayed at an appropriate temperature the entire time since it was bottled and sealed in the 50s. If it hasn’t remained cooled for the entire time, the taste will be thrown off and the bottle won’t be worth it. Make sure to check that the bottles have been cooled before purchasing one.
Toys and action figures
Toys and action figures that were made during the 1950s were made to last compared to toys that seemingly break whenever they’re dropped in 2024. That’s because real materials like iron were used in the production of the toys. While they were made to last decades, many were destroyed or thrown away after they were played with. Instead of watching television, kids met up with their friends and had plenty of adventures involving their toys.
The toys and action figures that are still in good condition can sell for a large amount of money. If the action figure is still in the box (and is of an iconic character), they’ll sometimes sell for the price of a new car. Collectors love seeing toys and action figures in amazing shape when purchasing them.
Chinese porcelain
Dishes have become a staple in the homes of the rich. Most people only bring out their best dishes when there’s a special celebration or if they want to impress somebody. Chinese porcelain that was made in the 1950s can bring in a lot of money. There are a few factors that can affect the price, though.
For starters, the design on the dishes has to be something people are searching for. The most popular design is flowers on the dishes. There also can’t be any stains or cracks anywhere on the dish wear. Restoring old dishes is a difficult task to do. The goal is for nobody to notice the fact that something was altered. Because light shines and reflects on dishes, alterations can be easy to spot. If you have dishes from the 1950s that are in mint condition, you’re sitting on a lot of money.
First edition books
One of the most popular things for people to collect is first edition books. People love seeing what the original story had in it before errors and minor changes were corrected in newer copies. Books from the 1950s like “The Catcher in the Rye” and “Lord of the Flies” have become popular among students since their original publication dates.
Even as a first edition book, it still must be in decent shape. There can’t be too many water marks, creased pages, or damage done to the binding. If there is, there’s a chance the book won’t be worth much. If the book is in good shape, it can bring in a lot of money. For more 1950s content, click here to read about the most unforgettable lines that defined 50s movies.