Photography: Martina Gemmola | Styling: Belle Hemming
It can be hard to see the forest for the trees when you’re browsing your local charity shop. We all scour them in the hope of unearthing a prize for a bargain. But what are we really looking for?
Armed with a list of must-haves helps make for a more efficient browse and others in your shopping party may have more patience if you can scan the wares efficiently and move on to the next. Here are the top 12 treasures you must keep on your hit list.
Did you know that January is one of the best times of year for op-shopping? According to a US study from Goodwill, op shops see an influx of donations in the weeks after Christmas and New Year as people get rid of their unwanted Christmas gifts and start decluttering their homes. Spring is also a good time to hit the second-hand stores as people get into their annual spring cleans.
Tip: the best time of year for op-shopping
1. Silverware
Often dumped in together in a bin, basket or back aisle, a careful sift through for precious metals may yield the real thing – real silver will look tarnished, but polishes up a treat with a little care and baking soda.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s an egg cup, a candle holder, dessert spoons or an entire set of tableware, silver is always worth buying. Not sure if it’s genuine silver? Give it a tap – it’ll make a ringing sound if genuine – and look for a stamp or engraving. For example, ‘925’ indicates the piece is sterling silver.
Sterling silver can be worth up to $2250–$2400 per kilogram. Full antique or vintage sterling silver flatware sets by makers such as Gorham or International Silver can fetch up to $8000. Not too shabby!
2. Old books
Hobart woman Renee Woodleigh is offloading her 1937 first edition of Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which she purchased at a St Vincent de Paul op shop as a teenger 31 years ago.
She is selling the precious book online for $44,000, which rare book specialists say is in line with current market value.
Yes, rare first and second editions are few and far between and there are many practised eyes ahead of you, but, if you’re happy to part ways with your treasured book, you’ve hit pay dirt.
Meanwhile, a collection of similar bindings or colours make a beautiful vignette and a bigger haul can become a feature.
If you don’t find any valuable old books, keep an eye out for design or coffee table books. Buying these books brand new can sometimes set you back hundreds of dollars, so if you spot a gem on the second-hand market, snap it up.
3. Corningware or casserole dishes
Did you know that some Corningware casserole dishes are extremely valuable? Dishes with rare patterns have been known to sell at auction for upwards of $10,000.
Even if you only ever come across the brand’s most recognisable (and common) ‘Cornflower’ pattern, old casserole dishes in good condition are still worth collecting.
They make a great gift, especially for new parents or a neighbour knocked over by the flu. Simply bake a delicious meal in it (like this nourishing mushroom lasagne) and send it on – you don’t even need to worry about asking them to return the dish.
4. Wicker baskets
If you’ve ever tried to keep clutter at bay in your home, you’ll know you can never have enough baskets to keep it all contained.
Wicker baskets are also beautiful to look at and can instantly add warmth and texture to some of the home’s most unsightly areas. Laundry piling up? Pop it in a wicker basket. Shoes collecting by the front door? Pop them into a wicker basket. Toys taking over the living room? Throw them all into a wicker basket. You get the idea.
When you feel like updating your decor, consider selling your hardworking receptacles. A second-hand 60cm wicker basket recently sold at Lawson’s for $80, double the estimate.
5. Kids’ toys
While we’re on the subject of toys, it’s worth talking about second-hand toys. Duplo and wooden Montessori-style toys are so wonderful for toddlers, but collecting numerous sets can set you back a small fortune.
They’re also used for only a very short period before your child moves on to the next big thing. Buying these items secondhand is a great way to save money and prevent perfectly useable toys from entering landfill.
Concerned about germs? Many plastic toys can be safely washed in the top rack of the dishwasher on a gentle cycle. If you don’t have a dishwasher, simply wash the toys in warm soapy water and, if desired, soak in a solution of Milton Sterilising Fluid for 15 minutes before allowing to air dry.
Soft toys can be washed on a cold, gentle machine cycle and hung out to air dry. Alternatively, soak soft toys in a solution of oxygen bleach before hand washing, rinsing and allowing to air dry.
Other collectible vintage toys include: Polly Pockets, original Tamagotchis, Pokemon cards, ViewMasters and Cabbage Patch Kids. Rare Pokemon cards have been known to garner six figures.
6. Mirrors
It’s amazing how much a single mirror can completely change the look of a room. They create the illusion of more space and help to bounce light around a room. They also add functionality, and it’s a great idea to have a mirror positioned close to the front door so you can do a last-second once-over before you leave the house.
But the best thing about a mirror? They never really go out of style. So if you see one hidden behind some bric-a-brac at your local op shop, squeeze it into the boot of your car and take it home.
Mirrors’ resale value is excellent if kept maintained. Antique-style gilt mirrors — so, they needn’t be from a vault in a French chateau — can be sold for hundreds of dollars on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.
7. Interesting vessels
Old earthenware jugs, coloured glass vases, handmade pottery – all are worth collecting if you see them collecting dust on an op-shop shelf.
One of the hottest interior movements at the moment is the ‘Urban aunt’ trend which involves styling your home with collected finds and interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces. Vases and urns are a great way to add sculptural beauty to your home, and you can leave them empty or fill them with bunches of your favourite flowers.
While picking up interesting vessels is more of a style hunt than a treasure hunt, there are some valuables to be found. One US woman picked up a coloured glass vase from Goodwill for $3.99USD only to discover it was actually a rare example of Murano glassware. She ended up selling the piece at auction for $107,000USD!
8. Collectible porcelain
Tea is literally heaven in a cup. If you agree with this statement, then you should consider collecting porcelain teaware.
There’s nothing quite like brewing delicate tea leaves in a pot and sipping your favourite tisane from a vintage cup adorned with a stunning pattern. Collectible brands include Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Noritake, Spode, Royal Copenhagen and Shelley.
A Wedgwood single saucer and cup can sell for $10 at the lower end and up to $200 for rarer patterns or styles on eBay, for example.
9. Original art
It’s always a good idea to look up and scan the walls above the shelves – you never know, you might spot a piece of original art that just tugs at your heartstrings. It could be a tiny watercolour, a time-worn original oil painting by an unknown artist or a delicately sewn cross-stitch.
When shopping for art at an op shop, look for pieces that have been professionally framed, items with an artist’s signature and pieces that just speak to you.
In 2023, an anonymous woman in New Hampshire, US, sold an original N.C. Wyeth painting that she had bought from an op shop in 2017 for $6.15AUD. The new owner forked out roughly $287,600AUD. Bananas.
10. Picture frames
Even if you don’t see a piece of artwork that you love, keep an eye out for beautiful frames. Custom frames can set you back anywhere from $150 for an A4-sized artwork, and even more if you select a complex style. A vintage frame will save you plenty – and you can always switch out the artwork later.
11. Mid-century furniture
While we’ve all enjoyed this trend for some time now, there are still bargains to be had, particularly among Australian made brands, such as Parker and Knoll.
The trend is moving into the 70s, too, and with upholsterers on every corner it’s now more affordable to revive an armchair, bar stool or lounge chairs – with cane insert panels if you’re lucky!
If your parents or other rellies are downsizing, let the know that a set of four vintage Parker dining chairs could fetch up to $4400 at an antique dealer such as Collécte.
12. Vintage suitcases
According to Luxe.It.Fwd, a second hand Louis Vuitton luggage bag may be sold for up to $6500. That’s mint condition, mind you.
While it’s not wise to hold your breath for an LV, there are great styling and storage opportunities in smaller, mainstream pieces with a well-worn look.
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