As spring encourages many to clear out their homes, an expert has highlighted several types of collectibles that could be worth a significant amount in the future. Taskeen Ahmed, a book collector and founder of Awesome Books—a UK-based sustainable bookseller—has identified six categories of items that are attracting the interest of collectors and may prove to be valuable investments over time.
Ahmed pointed out that whether these items are tucked away in a box in a parents' loft or in an old drawer at home, they have the potential to appreciate in value. He said, “With collectors constantly on the hunt for rare pieces of cultural history, certain forgotten relics from the 1990s and 2000s are quietly gaining value. We’ve always believed in giving things a second life. That applies to literature, but also to tech, toys, and pop culture. Some of today’s most ordinary items could become tomorrow’s collector’s gold.”
Among the items Ahmed advises keeping an eye on are:
- Old AI models stored on external drives, representing early technological developments.
- LEGO sets from the 1990s and 2000s that remain unopened and in their original packaging.
- Prints by early digital artists, which capture the emergence of digital creativity.
- Vintage band T-shirts from the 1990s and early 2000s, associated with significant cultural moments.
- Sealed video games from the 1990s and 2000s, still in their original packaging.
- First editions of contemporary best-selling novels.
The expert specifically emphasises the potential value of first editions from modern authors, which are often overlooked in favour of older, classic works. Additionally, items linked to the popular culture of recent decades, such as band merchandise and video games, are gaining traction among collectors.
Given the range of items—from literature to technology and pop culture memorabilia—Ahmed’s advice offers a new perspective on what to retain during seasonal clear-outs, highlighting how everyday objects from recent decades could become sought-after collector’s pieces in the future.
Source: Noah Wire Services