8 'Junk' Items From the '40s Worth a Small Fortune Today

They may have spent the past few decades gathering dust in your attic, but many everyday items from the 1940s have become quite valuable over time. Some pieces sell because of a brand name or unique feature. Others have become valuable over the years simply because it's rare to find everyday items from the years during and immediately following World War II in one piece, let alone in good condition.

Selling vintage pieces from the '40s could be a solid way to make money from home, but scarcity, condition, and identifying features like a maker's mark all play a role in determining worth.

Check your attic or your next local estate sale for these eight items from the '40s worth serious cash today.

Editor's note: All estimated market value data come from recent eBay sales, unless otherwise stated.

Zippo lighters

Estimated market value: $81-$1,270

The history of Zippo lighters is deeply entwined with World War II, as the company began producing its now-famous steel-case lighters with a black crackle finish specifically for the U.S. military.

Zippos from the era, particularly those that were made for the military, often sell for serious cash, even with expected signs of wear.

Even on the low end, the vintage lighters often sell for around $100. Recently, a 1940s "Barcroft" lighter, a model that has a longer, wider shape than the classic Zippo rectangles, sold for $1,270.

Pyrex mixing bowls

Estimated market value: $110-$208

A Pyrex mixing bowl set that first came on the scene in 1945 has become one of the most recognizable sets in the entire Pyrex line. The mixing bowls are made of thick glass and are known as the primary color set, with bowls in yellow, green, red, and blue.

After 1950, Pyrex started numbering the bowls. Sets made in the 1940s have no numbers on the bottom next to the Pyrex label, and they regularly sell on eBay to this day for more than $200.

Golden Age comics

Estimated market value: up to $716,750

Certain releases from the "Golden Age" of comics, which began in the late 1930s with the release of "Superman," have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past.

A copy of "Captain America Comics" No. 1, which was released in 1941, recently made headlines when it sold at auction for $716,750.

Other titles from the era like "Batman" No. 1 (1940) and "All-Star Comics" No. 8 (1941) have sold for tens of thousands of dollars as well.

Bakelite costume jewelry

Estimated market value: $30-$495

Jewelry made of Bakelite, a hard, synthetic plastic, was popular during the Depression and through much of the 1940s as it was affordable and could be shaped into a range of fun, colorful costume pieces.

Bakelite was used for all sorts of jewelry, including bangles, chunky, beaded necklaces, and heavy hoop earrings. Though some Bakelite products are only worth a few bucks, collectors have been known to shell out serious cash for certain rarities and peculiar pieces.

A chain necklace with bright red, dangling cherries recently sold on eBay for nearly $500.

Vintage mechanical watches

Estimated market value: $400-$5,500

How much you can nab for a vintage mechanical watch, particularly one from a well-known brand, varies a great deal. But since it is unlikely that most of us will ever stumble upon a vintage Rolex, the estimated market values listed above are for 1940s pieces from Swiss watchmaker Longines.

Recent sales on eBay indicate that Longines watches from the era kept in decent condition are worth, at the very least, a couple hundred dollars, and those made of precious materials like gold sell for thousands.

For vintage timepieces, it's typically worth it to consult a professional to get a better idea about value.

Fiesta original pieces

Estimated market value: $50-$500

The Fiesta dinnerware line was all the rage in the late 1930s and '40s. The unique pieces of pottery were originally produced in five bold colors: red, yellow, cobalt blue, green, and ivory.

Pieces from these early years, when potter Frederick Hurten Rhead first created the Fiesta line, often sell for hundreds of dollars. Recently, a small coffee pot in bright red, thought to be from the early '40s, sold for nearly $500 on eBay.

Keep an eye out for the Fiesta mark on the bottom of bowls, vases, and more.

Griswold cast iron

Estimated market value: $55-$385

Some pieces of vintage cookware have become incredibly valuable to niche collectors, and Griswold is one of those brands to look out for. Griswold cast iron pans from the decade have been known to sell for a few hundred dollars on the resale market.

Look for the Griswold logo at the bottom. Though the company's mark evolved over time, pieces made in the '40s have either a slanted (slightly italicized) or small block letter logo.

Vintage metal ads

Estimated market value: $200-$2,400

Recently, vintage collectors have been shelling out big bucks for mid-century metal advertisements. Coca-Cola signs from the era frequently sell on eBay for $100 to $500 and have been known to sell for much more.

A well-kept, large metal sign featuring a very 1940s-looking young lady enjoying a Coke recently sold for $2,400. A very similar sign that had clear signs of age and rust still sold for $225.

Bottom line

Many items that you would find in a typical American household in the 1940s have become coveted vintage products today, and reselling with care can be a solid and fun way to earn extra money.

If you think you have a valuable product, a quick online search of recent sale and auction prices for similar items will give you a better idea of true value. Condition, of course, matters, but that doesn't necessarily mean trying to polish or fix an item yourself will increase value.

For certain products, like watches or Golden Age comics, getting a professional appraisal is often worth it.

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