13 Antiques Increasing In Value At Florida Estate Sales In 2025

Florida estate sales have always been treasure troves for antique hunters. With the Sunshine State’s wealthy retiree population and historic homes, unique finds regularly surface at these events.

The antique market is shifting in 2025, with certain items showing surprising value increases that even casual collectors should know about.

1. Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Clean lines and functional designs from the 1950s and 60s are commanding premium prices across Florida’s coastal communities.

Mid-century pieces by designers like Herman Miller and Knoll have seen values jump nearly 30% since 2023. Baby boomers downsizing their homes has created a surge in availability, but demand continues to outpace supply.

2. Vintage Pyrex Cookware

Remember those colorful glass dishes from grandma’s kitchen? They’re fetching astonishing prices now! Vintage Pyrex, especially rare patterns like Lucky in Love or Pink Daisy, can command hundreds or even thousands at Florida estate sales.

The nostalgic connection to home cooking during simpler times has fueled collector passion, particularly for complete sets in pristine condition.

3. Vintage Fishing Gear

Rustic wooden lures and bamboo rods are reeling in serious collectors across the Sunshine State. Vintage fishing equipment, particularly pre-1950s gear, has surged in value as outdoor enthusiasts seek tangible connections to fishing’s golden era.

Items from legendary makers like Heddon, Creek Chub, and Pflueger command particular attention, especially when found in original boxes with paperwork.

4. Art Deco Jewelry

Geometric sparklers from the Roaring Twenties captivate modern buyers with their bold designs and historical significance. Art Deco jewelry pieces featuring platinum settings, geometric patterns, and vibrant gemstones have skyrocketed in desirability.

Florida’s wealthy winter residents often brought these treasures south, where they’ve remained in family collections until appearing at estate sales, much to the delight of savvy collectors.

5. Vintage Florida Tourism Memorabilia

Kitschy souvenirs from the Sunshine State’s golden age of tourism now command serious collector interest and rising prices. Vintage Florida memorabilia – especially pre-1970s items featuring flamingos, alligators, and orange groves – has seen values triple in recent years.

Old postcards, ashtrays, pennants and especially Cypress knee figurines from roadside attractions represent a nostalgic era of family road trips that resonates with today’s collectors.

6. Cuban Art And Artifacts

Cultural treasures from the island nation have found safe harbor in Florida homes for generations, now emerging as valuable collector items. Cuban art, particularly works by Wifredo Lam or Amelia Peláez, commands increasing attention at South Florida estate sales.

The historical connection between Cuba and Florida creates a natural market for these pieces, with provenance dating to pre-revolution Cuba adding significant premium to their already climbing values.

7. Antique Nautical Instruments

Maritime treasures navigate toward record prices as coastal decor trends steer collectors to authentic seafaring artifacts. Antique sextants, compasses, and ship’s wheels from the 18th and 19th centuries have sailed into high demand.

Florida’s maritime heritage makes these items particularly abundant in coastal estate sales, where brass telescopes and nautical chronometers in original wooden cases can command five-figure sums from dedicated collectors.

8. Tiffany-Style Lamps

Stained glass masterpieces illuminate the antique market with their rainbow glow and timeless appeal. Tiffany-style lamps from the early 20th century continue appreciating rapidly, especially authentic pieces with documented provenance.

Florida’s retirement communities often yield these treasures when estates are liquidated, with some exceptional examples bringing five-figure sums at specialized auctions.

9. Victorian Wicker Furniture

Ornate woven pieces from the 19th century are experiencing a renaissance in Florida’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle homes. Victorian wicker furniture, especially ornate peacock chairs and settees in original condition, has doubled in value since 2023.

The sustainability movement has renewed interest in these handcrafted natural fiber pieces, with Florida’s year-round porch culture making them particularly abundant in estate sales across the state.

10. Edison Phonographs

Sound investments await collectors who recognize the value of these early music machines with Florida connections. Edison phonographs hold special significance in Florida, where the inventor maintained his winter estate.

Early cylinder models with morning glory horns and original Edison records have seen values climb steadily, especially examples with documented Florida provenance or those featuring tropical hardwoods that reflect the state’s exotic lumber industry.

11. Vintage Florida Maps

Cartographic treasures chart impressive value gains as history buffs and decorators compete for these wall-worthy finds. Antique Florida maps, particularly those predating 1900 or showing now-defunct towns and railroads, have become hot commodities.

The state’s dramatic transformation from wilderness to tourist mecca makes these historical documents fascinating time capsules, with hand-colored examples in original frames commanding the highest prices at upscale estate sales.

12. Bakelite Accessories

Colorful plastic treasures from the Art Deco era shine brightly in Florida’s vintage market with their tropical hues and retro appeal. Bakelite jewelry and accessories in vibrant colors have skyrocketed in value, with carved bangles and fruit pins leading the charge.

Florida’s retirement communities often yield incredible collections of these early plastic treasures, accumulated during their original heyday and preserved in the climate-controlled environments of Florida condos.

13. Vintage Resort Wear

Fashion from Florida’s glamorous vacation heyday struts into collector spotlight with bold patterns and celebrity connections. Vintage resort wear by designers like Lilly Pulitzer and Alfred Shaheen has soared in value, especially pieces from the 1950s-70s.

The vibrant prints and relaxed silhouettes perfectly captured Florida’s leisure lifestyle, making these garments both historically significant and still wearable today – a combination that drives their escalating prices at prestigious Palm Beach estate sales.