1950s & '60s Collectibles

Collector Inspector : Episode CTI-104 -- More Projects »
Classic collectibles from the 1950s and '60s ... what is it that excites us about these decades? The answer is style—cars, household furniture, appliances—there is no mistaking items from this era. Collector David Miller's home is like stepping back in time. Miller has accumulated everything from toasters and TV trays, to typical 1960s dinnerware. Collector Inspector Harry Rinker takes a look at some of this collection.
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Figure A
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Figure B
Miller got this circa 1961 Pyrex table setting (figure A) from friends who were cleaning out their grandmother's home. Sets like these replaced the plastic dinnerware of the 1950s. They came in tons of great patterns and are still very affordable. This set sports a simple broad stripe pattern (figure B).
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Figure C
This working Kenmore toaster from Sears-Roebuck (figure C) is a bit earlier than the dishware. The plug gives away the decade—1950s. There are a lot of toasters available in collectible markets bearing the Sears-Roebuck brand, and that brings down the value some. They can be found in antique malls for $20 to $35.
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Figure D
Here's an album-storage cabinet made by Lane (figure D). It's a great piece of furniture and was very functional in the 1950s and '60s, but today, unless you're storing record albums, it's not very functional. That affects the value. Expect to pay around $25 to $35 for a cabinet like this one.
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Figure E
Miller's grandfather owned a TV store where Miller's godparents bought this Hoffman home-entertainment center (figure E) in the late 1950s. Miller got the piece after it spent 37 years in his godparents' living room. It features an AM/FM radio and a record player that plays 78s, 45s and 33-1/3s. These home-entertainment centers were quite large and very stylish in the 1950s. There are lots of them around at auctions and tag sales. They can usually be bought for less than $100, but this prized family possession is invaluable to Miller.
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Figure F
Miller fished this post World War II design sunburst clock (figure F) out of a rubbish box. Though yellowed from exposure to cigarette smoke, Miller was able to polish it up with glass cleaner. This design arrived on the scene in the 1950s but stayed en vogue throughout the '60s. By that time, they were battery-operated. This is a battery-powered one in good shape. It still works and is worth $30 to $35. If this clock were a Nelson brand (designer brand from the 1950s), the value could go up to hundreds of dollars.
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Figure G
Here's Miller's ultimate '60s collectible—a Chevrolet Impala (figure G).
Also in this Episode
Collector Inspector : Episode CTI-104
•1950s & '60s Collectibles
•Auction & Tag Sale Collectibles
•Heirloom Toys
•Collectibles That Speak Decade