Collecting historical memorabilia is the ultimate scavenger hunt through time, but some items are worth much more than others. While we may not have James Bond’s Aston Martin under dust covers in the garage or a letter from Einstein locked away in a drawer, there may be other things lurking in the attic that are worth even a fraction of the value of these items.
1. Steve Jobs’ Signature
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a visionary and innovative force in the tech industry. He revolutionized personal computing and transformed how we interact with technology. It’s no wonder that his signature fetches a small fortune from collectors. In 1983, he signed a letter saying he doesn’t do autographs. It sold for $479,939 in 2021.
2. Einstein’s Historic Letter
The brilliant physicist Albert Einstein, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory of relativity, left behind several documents, each fetching a sizeable amount at auction. However, his typewritten and signed letter to Chaim Weizmann, the first President of Israel, seems to be the most valuable, at $90,000.
3. White Sox “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s Autograph
“Shoeless” Joe Jackson, a legendary and controversial figure in baseball history, earned acclaim for his exceptional batting skills but faced notoriety due to his alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, where he was accused of throwing the World Series. His signatures are rare and of high value, but a 1911 photograph of Jackson signed by the baseball star himself sold for $1.47 million at auction in 2021.
4. John Lennon’s Original 1962 J-160 E Gibson Acoustic Guitar
The Beatles were one of the most iconic bands in history. When John Lennon was murdered in 1980, it shook the world, and fans will happily pay a small fortune to own something that belonged to the famous musician. His Gibson acoustic guitar bought a whopping $2.4 million at auction, proving that fans still go crazy for the Fab Four.
5. A Basketball Signed by Two Legends
A Spalding NBA basketball, autographed in black marker with “Love Michael Jackson” and “Best Wishes Michael Jordan,” was a prop in the 1992 music video for Jackson’s song “Jam.” It recently fetched $304,000 — a little more than its $600-800 estimate.
6. The Six Million Dollar Doll
L’Oiseleur (the bird trainer) is a 4-foot-tall automaton doll. It has many features, including a sword, flute, and singing birds, all adorned in intricately embroidered clothing. Despite its exquisite craftsmanship, this doll operates without electricity or motors, relying solely on spring-driven cogs and gears to play the flute to the tune of “Marche des Rois.” While automatons have been around for several hundred years, this one is a little more recent and sold at auction for $6,250,000.
7. Madame Alexander “Eloise” Doll
You can pick up a Madame Alexander “Eloise” doll for anywhere between $25 and $150, but there are a few on the market that are worth just a bit more — $5 million more, in fact. Five handmade dolls created by their namesake designer are dressed in Christian Dior apparel and have Katherine Baumann accessories, Swarovski crystals, and real diamonds. These exclusive dolls also come with their special million-dollar price tag.
8. Kämmer & Reinhardt Doll
Kämmer & Reinhardt were German doll manufacturers from the 1880s to the early 20th century. Their creations were extremely popular, and many still survive, but some are rarer than others. One character doll sold at Bonham’s auctions in 1994 for $313,000. Bonham suggests the doll may be a one-of-a-kind as no other doll has been found exactly like her.
9. Diamond Barbie by Stefano Canturi
Barbie dolls have been an iconic part of childhood since 1959. Collectors love them, and understandably, some are more valuable than others. This one was created with a good cause in mind.
This creation by jewelry designer Stefano Canturi featuring a one-carat Australian Argyle pink diamond sold for $302,000 at a Christie’s auction, with proceeds donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
10. Original G.I. Joe Prototype
It’s an action figure, not a doll. Just as iconic as his female counterpart, Barbie, G. I. Joe was created in 1963. Finding a prototype model is pure gold for collectors. One particular 11.5-inch figure was purchased at auction by comic book distributor Stephen Geppi for $200,000.
11. Obi-Wan Kenobi With Lightsaber
The first Star Wars film premiered in 1977, and with it came a range of toys and action figures. The Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure featured a double-telescoping lightsaber, and what was possibly once something kids played with in a sandbox is now a rare collectible worth over $76,000.
12. Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber
Mark Hamill couldn’t possibly have known that when he stepped into the role of Luke Skywalker, he would forever be associated with the role. Out of all the actors in the Star Wars franchise, he is arguably the most recognizable, so pieces of his movie magic are highly collectible. The lightsaber prop he used in The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 fetched an impressive $450,000.
13. James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 was a classic car manufactured between 1963 and 1965. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find one under $1 million, and if it was featured in a James Bond film, expect to pay more. In 2010, the 1964 DB5 featured in Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965) sold for a staggering $4.6 million, and included almost all of its movie-customized “Q-Branch” gadgets.
14. Robby the Robot
Robby the Robot was an instant film star when he was created in the mid-1950s by the MGM prop department. The seven-foot figure first appeared in the film Forbidden Planet in 1956 and then had roles (though not by the original name) in TV shows, including The Addams Family and Lost in Space. According to Bonham’s, four bidders battled it out for the prize, with the winner claiming Robby for the bargain price of $5,375,000.
15. Marilyn Monroe’s “Subway” Dress
This white dress is possibly one of history’s most well-known fashion items. The dress was designed by William Travilla and worn in The Seven Year Itch in 1955. It featured Monroe standing over a New York subway grate and her skirt being blown up as she struggles to hold it down. Reportedly, the scene took many takes and was refilmed at a different location. The dress sold for $4.6 million in 2014.
16. Prototype Coke Bottle
The Root Glass Company’s design, created by Earl R. Dean, was chosen by Coca-Cola executives in August 1915 as the winning prototype for their iconic bottle. Only two complete examples of the initial design exist, with one in Coca-Cola’s permanent archive and the other sold at auction in 2011 for $245,000. The bottle’s base is dated November 15, 1915, just a day before the patent was filed. However, the original design required modifications due to its width, causing issues with bottling plant machinery and conveyor belts.
17. Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger
In 2007, Dukes of Hazzard actor John Schneider parted with his 1969 General Lee Dodge Charger for a cool $9,900,500. The car was one that appeared on screen during the 1980s show as cousins Bo and Luke Duke helped people while outwitting the local sheriff.
18. Darth Vader’s Helmet
Much like Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, one of the most recognizable costumes in the Star Wars franchise belongs to Darth Vader. David Prowse wore one that was sold at an auction to an anonymous bidder in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It sold for $898,420.
19. Louis Vuitton Bear
Toymaker Richard Steiff created a bear with moveable limbs in 1902. He was inspired by observing bears at a zoo, but the name came about because of Teddy Roosevelt’s incident where he refused to shoot one while hunting. There are many Steiff bears in the world today, and some are more rare than others. However, when Steiff joined forces with fashion house Louis Vuitton in 2001 to create a teddy, it was priced at $2.1 million.
20. Amazing Fantasy Comic No. 15
This comic is highly sought after as it features the first appearance of Spider-Man. It can be extremely valuable in top condition, with well-graded copies fetching prices over $100,000 at auctions. In 2021, one brought a record price of $3.6 million, setting the record for the most expensive comic ever sold.
21. Stephen Curry National Treasures Logoman
One-of-a-kind sports cards are unique and can hold substantial value, especially if the player becomes a basketball legend. Golden State Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry’s popularity and climb to fame make this card extremely valuable. An autographed one in near-mint condition sold for the bargain price of $5.7 million.
22. 1787 Brasher Doubloon
If you were a millionaire, would you buy this coin for $9.36 million? One collector thought it was worth it. The Brasher Doubloon is one of the rarest and most valuable American coins. Minted by Ephraim Brasher in 1787, only five are known to exist. They carry the initials E. B. on the reverse side and on the eagle’s wing. The coin’s minted value was $15.
23. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle 311
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is one of the most iconic baseball cards ever issued. Some collectors believe this is the most significant collector’s baseball card in the sport’s history. Obviously, someone agrees since they purchased the card for $2,880,000.
24. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
This $20 gold coin was minted during the Great Depression but never circulated. Out of the almost 500,000 struck, only 20 are thought to have survived being melted down. In 2021, a collector paid a whopping $18 million to own one.
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Ree Winter, an Australian journalist now based in New Orleans, combines her love for solo travel with a sharp eye for great flight and accommodation deals. She eagerly shares her travel insights with her audience, drawing from her rich experiences. Ree holds a Master's degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and History. Her fascination with history is evident in her stint as a tour guide at historic house museums, showcasing her knowledge of architectural history. Beyond journalism and history, Ree has a unique flair for coffee culture. As a barista, she's operated a coffee van at various events and markets, showcasing her skill in coffee preparation.