10 Small Vintage Items That Sell for Big Money on Ebay
Sometimes the smallest treasures bring the biggest profits. Whether you’re thrifting, estate-sale hunting, or going through your own drawers, these 10 small vintage categories are gold mines for eBay sellers. They’re easy to ship, easy to store, and often overlooked — but collectors are willing to pay hundreds for the right pieces.
Let’s dive into the vintage smalls that could turn your next thrift stop into a jackpot!
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1. Vintage Cufflinks
Cufflinks might seem like an old-fashioned accessory, but collectors love them for their craftsmanship and materials.
What to Look For:
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- Dante and Swank are popular brands that made mid-century designs.
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- Sterling silver, gold-filled, or enamel sets bring higher prices.
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- Themes like zodiac signs, animals, or space-age motifs are hot sellers.
Tip: Pair cufflinks with their original box — it can double the value!
Example Sold Listings:
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- Dante onyx cufflinks: $75+
- Swank sterling airplane cufflinks: $150
2. Fountain Pens
Old fountain pens are classic collectibles — and some are worth hundreds!
What to Look For:
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- Parker and Waterman pens are two of the most sought-after brands.
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- Check for gold nibs and engraved serial numbers.
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- Look for boxed sets or unique finishes like marbled celluloid.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Parker 51 fountain pen: $125–$300
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- Waterman Ideal vintage pen: $150–$400
Tip: Don’t toss the case! Even used cases sell well for collectors.
3. Vintage Bracelets
Small and stylish, vintage bracelets can surprise you with their value — especially when they’re made by collectible brands or have unique materials.
What to Look For:
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- Sweetheart expansion bracelets from WWII with military insignia or photos.
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- Whiting & Davis snake bracelets, often gold mesh or articulated metal.
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- Sterling silver charm bracelets from the 1950s–1970s.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Sweetheart expansion bracelet: $100–$200
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- Whiting & Davis snake bracelet: $200–$400
Pro Tip: Photograph details clearly — buyers want to see clasps, markings, and close-ups of the design.
4. Vintage Eyeglasses
You’d be amazed how many vintage eyeglasses sell fast — both for collectors and movie/theater costume departments.
What to Look For:
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- American Optical and Bausch & Lomb are top brands.
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- Drop-arm or cat-eye frames are especially popular.
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- Real gold or silver plating adds even more value.
Example Sold Listings:
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- AO gold-filled eyeglass frames: $100–$250
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- 1950s cat-eye glasses: $150+
Tip: List them under “vintage eyewear” or “costume design” for better reach.
5. Vintage Compacts
Old makeup compacts are collectible, elegant, and often easy to spot in antique booths or estate sales.
What to Look For:
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- Stratton and Volupte compacts from the UK or US.
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- Mother of pearl, enameled, or brass inlay styles.
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- Clean mirrors and unused powder puffs increase value.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Stratton compact with floral design: $75–$150
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- Mother of pearl compact: $100+
Pro Tip: Take a photo with it open and closed to show the condition clearly.
6. Vintage Digital Cameras
Yes — early digital cameras from the 2000s are now vintage! Collectors, artists, and influencers love their nostalgic, low-res look.
What to Look For:
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- Sony Cyber-shot and Canon PowerShot models.
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- Early megapixel versions (1–5 MP) with working memory cards.
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- Bonus: Original boxes, cables, or chargers add value.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P1: $100–$250
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- Canon PowerShot A80: $150–$200
Tip: Test them! Buyers pay more if you can show working photos.
7. Brass Animals
Little brass animals are a big hit with collectors and home decorators.
What to Look For:
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- Pairs, especially swans, cats, elephants, or horses.
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- Solid brass (heavier = better quality).
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- Unique finishes like verdigris or patina.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Brass swan pair: $75–$125
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- Brass elephant family: $100–$200
Pro Tip: Group similar items for a quick, decorative sale bundle.
8. Vintage Buttons
Don’t skip the button jars! Some buttons are tiny treasures made from rare materials.
What to Look For:
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- Rhinestone, crystal, mother of pearl, or abalone buttons.
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- Sets of matching buttons sell best.
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- Victorian glass or Bakelite styles can be worth $5–$20 each — or more.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Set of 6 mother of pearl buttons: $80+
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- Rhinestone glass buttons: $100–$150
Tip: Sort by color and material — collectors often search by those keywords.
9. Fairy Lamps
Fairy lamps are small glass candleholders that glow beautifully when lit — and they’re highly collectible today.
What to Look For:
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- Indiana Glass amber or carnival glass styles.
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- Fenton red ruby hobnail or blue opalescent designs.
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- Check for matching bases and chimneys (sets sell higher).
Example Sold Listings:
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- Fenton red hobnail fairy lamp: $125–$250
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- Indiana Glass amber fairy lamp: $100+
Pro Tip: Use “vintage fairy lamp” and “mid-century glass” in your title for SEO.
10. Vintage Mugs
It’s hard to believe, but old mugs can sell for big bucks! Certain brands have cult followings.
What to Look For:
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- Taylor & Ng – 1970s animal mugs are highly collectible.
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- Salmon Falls and Dover Stoneware – hand-painted, regional pieces.
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- Novelty or advertising mugs with retro artwork.
Example Sold Listings:
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- Taylor & Ng giraffe mug: $100+
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- Salmon Falls pottery mug: $75–$125
Pro Tip: Photograph from all sides, especially the handle and maker’s mark.
Get the Free Download
Want an easy cheat sheet you can take thrifting?
Download my “10 Small Vintage Categories That Sell for Big Money on eBay” guide — it lists every brand, keyword, and example so you can find hidden gems faster.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a storage unit or a warehouse to make great money reselling. Sometimes, it’s the smallest items — the cufflinks, compacts, or fairy lamps — that bring the biggest joy and profit.
So next time you’re at a garage sale or Goodwill, slow down, look closer, and remember: tiny treasures can make a big impact on your bottom line.
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