Vintage School Supplies - Collectible School Supplies

From vintage textbooks and flash cards to pull-down maps and globes, these grade A finds merit an enthusiastic raise of the hand.

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1. ERASER TIN Made by W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co. of Fort Madison, IA, this 1950s tin—complete with original mechanical pencil erasers—is valued at $5.

2. CRAYONS An original early 1900s Binney & Smith eight-pack box of Crayola crayons in mint condition goes for a lot of green—around $500! A 24-pack from the 1950s (like the one shown here) is identifiable by its arched logo and trademark symbol placement and worth around $20. If it’s a mint condition box that contains some retired colors, however, the price may rise to $75.

RELATED: Learn the fascinating history of Crayola’s Iconic Crayons

3. ERASER With little wear to its edges and logo, this 1940s Vitagum Artist’s Eraser and Dry Cleaner—still made today by the Blumberg Company of Newburyport, MA—cleans up at around $7.

4. PENCILS The first American pencil was made in 1812 by Massachusetts cabinetmaker William Monroe. While brands like Dixon, Eberhard Faber, and Staedtler are popular with collectors, lesser-known finds like this 1940s unopened set by L. W. Muran Co. of Boston still bring in a little scratch. In general, vintage wooden #2 pencils could bring up to $3, while later mechanical styles top $5.

5. SHARPENER A staple in classrooms since the late 19th century, this 1940s sharpener cranks out $12 when it’s in working order. (The value whittles down if it’s no longer functioning.) Vintage figural hand-held sharpeners bring between $10 and $35.

1. DESKS In the 1920s, as students ditched chalkboards for pen and paper, desk design shifted to include liftable lids or cubby holes to stash supplies. The midcentury one (left) nets around $125, while the pint-size, 1950s one (right) is valued at about $100. Styles by makers like Heywood-Wakefield score $200 and more.

2. GLOBES Seasoned collectors look for pieces from the 1880s through the 1960s by makers like Rand McNally and Replogle. Depending on condition and rarity, these spheres range in price from $15 to $25 for standard school room issue globes to $1,000 for older, more unique globes. And bigger isn’t always better. An early 18th-century pocket globe can turn up $15,000! (As with all categories, condition is key when it comes to bringing higher values.)

3. PULL-DOWN MAPS Despite a bit of wear and tear—these retractable tools were tugged on daily—most classroom maps and charts maintain a high value of $100 to $200. This 1912 Union Pacific railroad canvas rolls in at around $1,400 (partly because it is considered a crossover piece, meaning collectors of railroad memorabilia as well as collectors of maps would be interested), while pre-Civil War maps (not pictured) are valued at $10,000 or more. (Keep watch for items by publishers Weber Costello, Rand McNally, and W. & A.K. Johnston and note that rarity is important when speaking of potential high value.)

1. FLASH CARDS Great for art projects or scrapbooking, vintage math and vocabulary flash cards from the 1930s through the 1960s can be scooped up on Etsy for as little as $1. Complete sets—a rarer find—flip for $50. Here’s a tip: When shopping online for loose cards, try the search term “vintage paper ephemera.”

2. WORKBOOKS Beginning in the 1940s, workbooks were typically made to accompany textbooks, but because they didn't hold up as well as their hardback counterparts—or were tossed at the end of a school year—it’s not easy to find a complete set. Purchased on Etsy for $28, this example was released in 1955 and accompanied the reader Just for Fun by Lyons & Carnahan.

3. READERS Vintage reading instructional schoolbooks garner anywhere from $10 for this 1946 See and Say hardback by publisher Arnold, Benney, and Southworth to $190 for an unused 1956 Fun with Dick and Jane teacher’s edition (not pictured).

4. TEACHING AIDS Created to go along with the beloved Fun with Dick and Jane basic reader, this 1950s cutout fetches $6. A complete cast of characters can go for $50 to $65.

So long, sack lunch! Commercial lunch boxes debuted in 1902 and resembled metal picnic baskets. Later styles included illustrations and patterns, like this 1970s plaid prize valued at $45.

RELATED: 5 Retro Tin Lunch Boxes That Will Make You Nostalgic for Your Childhood

*Appraisal Values Updated August 2024 by Appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. These values have been collected by averaging auction prices realized from different sources and may differ from prices on the same item offered for sale by a private dealer. An auction value is more or less based on rarity, condition and desirability (bidding activity) of a specific maker, form or pattern.

Special thanks to Melissa and Dave Dilmaghani of Old New House for vintage maps and collector Stefanie Eskander of The Copycat Collector for loaning many of the items you see in this story. For books, try bookmonster.etsy.com. For globes, try happyfortunevintage.etsy.com.

Laurren Welch is a freelance editor, writer, and creative who covers lifestyle, interiors, entertaining, fashion, and more. When she’s not under deadline, you can find her styling blooms over at Garden Party L.A., scouring thrift and antique stores for hidden gems, and reminding her boxer pup, Monster, that he’s a very good boy.

Consignment director at Heritage Auctions, Marsha Dixey has worked in the Americana historical and collectibles business as a dealer/collector since 1978. She is a widely acknowledged expert generalist, handling almost anything falling under the “Americana” umbrella. Her interest in American social history has made her an expert in women’s suffrage items and African Americana. After dealing in a general line of antiques including furniture, glassware and decorative Americana, Dixey followed her interest in premium antique advertising for years and served two years on the board of directors for the Antiques Advertising Association of America. Prior to coming to work for Heritage, she worked with Tom Slater at Slater’s Provenance Auctions in Indianapolis, Ind. Their success in auctioning Americana and sports collectibles became the foundation of Heritage Auctions’ historical department, which they started in 2005.Marsha has appeared on Texas Storage Wars and several radio broadcasts discussing collectibles, their pricing and popularity.

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