Dig Through Attics For 13 Early 1900s Gems That Minnesota Experts Say Can Fetch Thousands

Hidden treasures from the early 1900s might be lurking in your grandmother’s attic or tucked away in forgotten corners of your home. Minnesota antique experts have identified several items from this era that collectors eagerly seek, often willing to pay thousands of dollars.

Before you clean out that dusty storage space, check for these valuable relics that could turn your spring cleaning into a major payday.

1. Mission-Style Furniture

Sturdy oak pieces with straight lines and exposed joinery might be worth a small fortune. Mission furniture’s honest craftsmanship emerged as a reaction against ornate Victorian styles.

Authentic Gustav Stickley pieces command the highest prices, sometimes exceeding $20,000. Even unmarked mission furniture from this period can sell for thousands if it maintains its original finish and hardware.

2. Vintage Tin Toys

Colorful mechanical marvels gather dust while potentially being worth thousands. Vintage tin toys from companies like Lehmann, Märklin, or American makers often feature wind-up mechanisms and moving parts.

Condition matters tremendously – toys with original paint and working mechanisms bring premium prices. Minnesota collector Harold Nyberg recently paid $7,500 for a 1905 Lehmann motorcyclist in near-mint condition.

3. Early Phonographs

Those strange horn-shaped machines gathering cobwebs might fund your next vacation! Early phonographs represent the dawn of recorded music in American homes.

Edison cylinder models with morning glory horns regularly sell for $3,000-$8,000. Victor Talking Machines with their iconic “His Master’s Voice” logo are especially coveted. Complete models with original horns and working mechanisms command the highest prices.

4. Leaded Glass Lamps

Gathering dust in corners, these illuminating masterpieces could brighten your bank account considerably. Stained glass lamps from the early 20th century showcase remarkable craftsmanship with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Tiffany lamps reign supreme, with authentic pieces regularly fetching six figures. Even non-Tiffany examples by companies like Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, or Wilkinson can sell for thousands if they feature quality glass and original hardware.

5. Hand-Painted Porcelain

Forgotten family heirlooms might contain hand-painted treasures worth thousands today. Delicate porcelain pieces from the early 1900s often feature exquisite hand-painted details, gold accents, and master artists’ signatures.

Limoges, Belleek, and Royal Vienna pieces command particularly high prices. Minnesota appraiser Janet Krovoza recently valued a collection of twelve hand-painted Royal Vienna portrait plates at $18,000, discovered in a Duluth estate.

6. Early Advertising Signs

Rusty relics hanging in grandpa’s workshop might actually be advertising gold. Early 20th century signs feature vibrant colors, distinctive typography, and nostalgic imagery that modern collectors crave.

Porcelain signs for gasoline, soda, and tobacco products command the highest prices. Minnesota dealer Frank Svendsen recently sold a 1910 Red Crown Gasoline porcelain sign for $12,500 after finding it in an abandoned rural service station.

7. Sterling Silver Flatware

Family silver tucked away might hold more than sentimental value. Sterling flatware sets from the early 1900s showcase exquisite craftsmanship with intricate patterns that modern production can’t match.

Complete sets in sought-after patterns by Gorham, Tiffany, or Reed & Barton can sell for thousands. Minnesota silver expert Marilyn Hagberg notes that even incomplete sets of rare patterns like Gorham’s Mythologique can fetch premium prices when properly identified.

8. Early Baseball Memorabilia

Faded scorecards and old leather gloves might hit a home run at auction. Baseball items from the early 1900s represent the golden age of America’s pastime and command astonishing prices today.

Game-used equipment, early trading cards, and team photographs are particularly valuable. A Minnesota family recently discovered a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card in their grandfather’s collection, potentially worth hundreds of thousands if authenticated.

9. Antique Clocks

Ticking treasures from the past might be counting down to a big payday. Early 20th century clocks combine artistic design with mechanical precision, particularly those from renowned makers.

Grandfather clocks, wall regulators, and mantel clocks from this era can all command impressive prices. Minnesota horologist Peter Samuelson recently appraised a 1905 Seth Thomas regulator at $4,800 after restoring its movement to working condition.

10. Victorian-Era Quilts

Folded fabric treasures might contain stitched stories worth thousands. Victorian quilts showcase extraordinary handwork with intricate patterns that required hundreds of hours to complete.

Crazy quilts with silk, velvet, and elaborate embroidery command the highest prices. Minnesota textile expert Elaine Johnson recently valued a silk crazy quilt with political ribbons from 1900-1908 at $8,500, noting its exceptional condition and historical significance.

11. Art Nouveau Jewelry

Delicate curves and nature-inspired designs characterize these forgotten treasures. Art Nouveau jewelry typically features flowing lines, dragonflies, flowers, and female forms.

Pieces by masters like Tiffany or Lalique can command upwards of $5,000 at auction. Even lesser-known artists’ works fetch impressive sums when craftsmanship and condition are exceptional.

12. Early Cameras And Photographic Equipment

Forgotten mechanical marvels might capture more than memories. Early 20th century cameras represent technological innovation with their brass fittings, leather bellows, and precision engineering.

Brands like Kodak, Leica, and Zeiss-Ikon are particularly sought after. Minnesota photography collector Martin Sorenson recently paid $3,200 for a 1908 Kodak No. 3A Special with original leather case and accessories at a Minneapolis estate sale.

13. Antique Books And First Editions

Dusty tomes on forgotten shelves might contain literary gold. First editions from renowned authors of the early 20th century can command astonishing prices, especially those with dust jackets.

Books by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner are particularly valuable. Minnesota book dealer Sarah Lindstrom recently appraised a first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise” with dust jacket at $6,500, discovered in a St. Paul estate.