With 30 years of resale under my belt, I’m the guy when friends need a quick analysis. And over the years I’ve noticed something that happens over and over again: Antiques that many people consider valuable are often useless, and the things they want to throw away are often hot collectibles.
Here’s why: Most of us get our idea of what’s important from our parents. But markets are changing, and new collectors have different preferences.
What overlooked treasures are hidden in your home right now? The answers may surprise you. In this series, we’ll explore the hot collections you may already have.
1. Arthur Umanoff Furniture
Born in New York City in 1923, Arthur Umanoff’s design career began at the prestigious Pratt Institute in downtown Brooklyn. He preferred to work with metal and leather, using these rough and heavy materials to design incredibly refined and minimalist furniture.
Umanoff’s pieces appeared regularly in publications such as House Beautiful and Better Homes & Gardens magazines in the 1950s and 1960s, and his relationships with major manufacturers including Howard Miller helped establish him as a tour de force in midcentury design.
Although Umanoff died in 1985, his work lives on in the permanent collections of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian and many homes around the world.
On Etsy, this Umanoff aron and leather wine rack is listed for $260, and on eBay, this set of three barstools sells for $150.
2. Ericofon
Half Jetsons, Half Mad Men, the Ericofon was a huge step forward in telephone design when it launched in 1954. The telephone was originally developed for institutional use by the LM Ericsson Company of Sweden. Over time, new versions were released for home use in Europe, Australia and (after a legal dispute with Ma Bell) the US.
Sometimes called the “Cobra Phone” because of its vague resemblance to a defensive snake, collectors love the Ericofon. It combines mid-century industrial craftsmanship with new materials (plastic) and a sleek one-piece design.
Both dial and touch tone models sell well, with bright colors (red, blue, pink and green) commanding high prices. On eBay, this blue Ericofon sold for $650, and this fully restored mandarin red Ericofon sold for $295.
3. Rolodex and Rolodex supplies
Like filing cabinets and dot matrix printers, Rolodexes are outdated technology. Still, only one of those tech dinosaurs has developed a cult-like following filled with eager buyers.
Introduced to the world by Arnold Neustadter in the 1950s (the actual year remains a mystery), the Rolodex was the epitome of the American office until the advent of the personal computer and the BlackBerry. The brand name Rolodex is a portmanteau of the word “rolling index” – it’s actually a circular, rotating desktop file that contains contact information for family, friends and business associates. As people changed jobs or moved, their old contact cards were thrown away and replaced with new ones.
A highly organized person, Neustadter thrived on detail, knowledge, and accessibility. And as the owner of Zephyr American Corp. (a manufacturer of business equipment), he had a way of translating his ideas into a tangible form. From the 1950s to the early 2000s, Rolodexes were the go-to resource for all American office work – the first thing to grab when the fire alarm went off.
Today, Rolodexes appeal to turn-of-the-century collectors and those of us who simply prefer to have physical copies of important information. The most popular models are:
- Model 2400-T
- Model 4024-X
- Model SW-24C
- Model 5350
On Etsy, this Model 3500-S Rolodex is listed for $139.99, and on eBay, this box of 1,000 Rolodex C35 cards recently sold for $100.
The urge to vomit
As I write this, the thrift stores where I live are full of newly donated goods. It could be due to pre-holiday house cleaning (making room for guests and the inevitable mountains of gifts) or the act of a New Year’s resolution to declutter.
Whatever the reason, clean carefully. Often, unexpected things (a Rolodex, for example… or an old phone that looks weird) can cost a tidy sum. Discover dozens of other hidden gems by exploring my deep dive into valuable antiques.
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