8 Vintage Magazines Worth a Small Fortune

Do you have old magazines sitting around your house? Maybe they're shoved in the back of a closet or collecting dust under a bed. Think twice before you decide to throw them out: You might find a few that are highly valued.

If you want to find a way to make a little extra money, here are eight older magazines that could be worth a pretty penny.

Estimated value: $450

Family Circle was a popular women's magazine that mainly covered topics such as homemaking and health. This issue immediately stands out, though, because the cover features an illustration of Batman and Robin that promotes an article titled "Are Comics Bad for Children?" 

It's this unique imagery that makes it incredibly valuable.

Estimated value: $1,500

The February 1997 issue of George Magazine really encapsulates the spirit of the 1990s. The cover shows Dutch supermodel Karen Mulder at the height of her fame. 

Inside, readers will find a lengthy interview with Bill Gates and a story exploring whether "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" can compete with other late-night shows (a figure who is still prominent on late-night TV).

Estimated Value: $300

The New Yorker honored "The Sopranos" with a painting of Tony Soprano walking out of his therapist's office. Critics have said that The Sopranos helped usher in a "golden age of television" that some would argue we haven't seen since.

With the final episode just a week away from the original publishing date, fans were excited to consume any content related to the show. The New Yorker cover highlights the series' importance (even though readers had no idea about the show's polarizing ending).

Estimated Value: $400

From 1988 to 2012, Nintendo Power provided readers with insider information about game strategies and upcoming releases. The first issue took a 20-page look at Super Mario Bros 2, one of the top-selling games released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). 

At the time, no one knew whether the fanbase would support a print magazine, but Nintendo of America leveraged it to connect with players and grow its brand.

Estimated value: $12,500

With pictures of Marilyn Monroe and a Sherlock Holmes story from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Playboy's first issue made a big splash that changed publishing forever. 

The images of Monroe were originally taken for a calendar, not Playboy, but readers were too eager to care. Note that there are reprints out there that are still worth something, but not quite as much as an original.

Estimated value: $8,000

The second issue of Playboy debuted the magazine's Playmate of the Month concept. Margie Harrison, an actress and model, was the first Playmate. 

The Playmate of the Month centerfold was an instant hit. Future Playmates would include Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, Jayne Mansfield, Anna Nicole Smith, and Bettie Page. It all started with this issue.

Estimated value: Up to $700

Sports Illustrated launched in August 1954, and many of the originals from the first two volumes are worth quite a bit.

They also carry quite a bit of history. For instance, in volume 2, issue 1, it named its first Sportsman of the Year (now called the Sportsperson of the Year). 

The magazine's cover features a drawing of Bruce Bannister as he crossed the finish line, becoming the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. Bannister was the fastest person for less than two months when Australia's John Landy beat his time by 1.4 seconds.

Estimated Value: $400

This issue of Time Magazine delves deeply into the life and plans of Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. The cover story, "Charm Offensive," highlights his amiable personality while questioning whether the rest of the world should believe that he truly wants to modernize the kingdom.

Given that the issue is less than a decade old, there's a decent chance some people have it in their collections.

While most old magazines take up space, a handful of them could truly help dedicated collectors get ahead financially.

If you suspect you own some valuable items, you can make quick cash by selling them on auction websites like eBay or through professional auction companies like Bonhams.