Souvenirs are sometimes one of the best parts of experiencing a new location. A traveler can take one hundred photos, record their adventures, and go on tours, but souvenirs are the one part of a vacation that says, 'I was here, and I brought a little piece of it back with me.' Sure, they might seem a bit old-fashioned and quirky at times, especially when the souvenir is something like an 'I love NY' t-shirt or a snowglobe with a depiction of a certain city. However, that doesn't mean that souvenirs aren't worth anything - and some have a much higher value than others based on where they were from, what they represent, and how old they are.
Many of us have found things such as vintage shot glasses or wall flags in our grandparent's attics or basements, but not many realize how valuable these can be. Something from the World's Fair or an original item from Disneyworld can be worth more than anyone realizes, and all it takes is a bit of research to find out exactly how valuable it truly is.
Any Type Of Location-Specific Clothing Or Maps
These can be anything from t-shirts to hats. The trick to valuable clothing is whether or not it has a one of a kind logo or location patch on it. For example, a cloth scarf with a map of a location or a theme park logo could be worth money if it's in vintage condition. If not, these are the kinds of things a person should hold onto because, in time, it could be worth a significant value. Anything that makes a piece unique or was produced for only a short time is something that will only go up in value as time goes on.
Mugs, Especially Those That Span Back 50 Years Or More
Some people love to hang onto mugs while others can't be bothered with keeping them around. However, those souvenirs might be worth a little more than just a dusty space on the shelf. Any major events that happened only once, opening-day mugs, or even closing-out items could be worth something. Anything that predates 1950 could very well be a collectible, but it all comes down to how rare the item is, what the event was, and how likely a person is to value that specific time in history.
Ticket Stubs For One-Time-Only Events
Ticket stubs are popular because they often get framed or put into collectible books. Tickets for concerts or events that were sold out or high-profile obviously carry far more value than those that weren't. Tickets for performers or bands that are no longer together, final tours, and first tours are all ranked much higher than the average concert. Tours that had a specific theme or album promotion are also worth something - especially if the ticket is in good condition or there's more than one.
Antique Spoons
Spoons will always be part of Americana and early history. According to Kovels, the first souvenir spoon was actually made in 1889 and would feature a state or country in the artwork on the handle. A collector will be able to determine exactly how rare or unique a spoon is because there are some that are valued far more highly than others. Antique spoons representing a specific event are also highly collectible, and those who collect them usually have entire display cases full of the collectibles. Of the most valuable, the World's Fair, royal weddings, and anything regarding English coronations are all spoons that have a higher value than others.
Souvenirs From Historical Events
Believe it or not, invitations or note cards from certain events can even be worth money. Everyone has a specific niche in terms of what they collect or find valuable and for something such as a royal wedding invitation, these can be worth a fair amount of money for the right person. Inaugurations and items from historical events all have unique values as well, depending on what the item is and what a person is willing to pay to have a piece of history.
Shot Glasses
Not all shot glasses are valuable - but some do carry a hefty weight. For example, according to Kovels, a shot glass from the 1956 Kentucky Derby is incredibly rare and was sold for $1,560. That's not to say that all shot glasses from this time or from the Kentucky Derby will sell for that much - but it does mean there are other shot glasses (and regular glasses) out there that are worth something substantial.