Items that are commonplace today, ranging from fast-fashion collaborations to printed takeaway menus, could become valuable collectables in the future, according to an antique valuer with over 25 years of experience. Dan Hatfield, who has been valuing antiques and collectables for decades, suggests that the best-performing items were rarely purchased with investment in mind but rather for their everyday use and appeal.
Hatfield argues that the collecting cycle has accelerated significantly due to globalization, online marketplaces, and social media. Nostalgia, which once took half a century to develop, can now emerge within a decade. Objects can transition from being a contemporary must-have to a forgotten item, and then to a highly sought-after collectable with remarkable speed.
"We're the first generation to watch tomorrow's antiques being created and then become nostalgic for them while we're still here to enjoy them," Hatfield noted. He is exploring this phenomenon with Alice Beer on their podcast, "Pre-Loved Prophets," seeking to identify everyday possessions that future collectors might desire.
One example cited is the humble Argos catalogue. Once mass-produced and often discarded, rarer editions can now fetch significant sums, with some selling for over £200. These catalogues are seen as time capsules, reflecting purchasing habits, aspirations, and the cost of goods at a specific historical moment.
Collaborations between brands, a defining trend of the 2020s, are also identified as potential future collectables. These items, such as Greggs clothing or supermarket merchandise, are considered cultural moments that capture public attention. The collision of luxury and accessibility, exemplified by partnerships like Swatch with Audemars Piguet, allows people to buy into a brand's narrative, which may appeal to future collectors.
Viral items that experience a rapid surge in popularity and subsequent decline also present collecting potential. Items like the original Prime drink bottles or McDonald's Adult Happy Meal toys, which generated significant buzz before fading, could become nostalgic treasures. Similarly, Aldi and Lidl merchandise, along with any fleeting fads, are noted for their potential.
Analogue items, particularly paper-based goods, are highlighted as an underestimated category as life becomes increasingly digital. Printed boarding passes, takeaway menus, and instruction manuals are disappearing, making surviving physical copies potential pieces of social history. Printed Domino's menus, for instance, evoke memories of ordering and waiting for food, and could gain nostalgic value as physical copies become scarce.
Toys remain a strong collecting category, acting as "time machines" that reconnect individuals with their childhood. The value of sealed Lego sets, for example, has historically shown strong returns. Hatfield advises collectors to consider less popular versions within a range, as these may have been produced in smaller quantities and become rarer over time.
Music and sporting memorabilia also hold significant collectable potential. Tour merchandise, VIP passes, limited-edition vinyl, and concert tickets for era-defining artists like Taylor Swift can become valuable. Likewise, in sports, official programmes, tickets, and football shirts from past decades, especially in pristine condition, can command high prices.
Hatfield's golden rules for spotting future collectables include buying items that define an era rather than just those that are expensive, keeping original packaging, storing items properly, and buying things that hold personal meaning. He emphasizes that collecting is fundamentally about preserving memories, with monetary value being a potential secondary benefit.