Your Old Tupperware Could Be Worth a Small Fortune

Additional Coverage:

10 Vintage Tupperware Pieces That Are Worth a Small Fortune Now (financebuzz.com)

Your Grandma’s Tupperware Might Be Hiding a Fortune in Your Cabinets!

Ever rummage through your kitchen cabinets, only to be met with a chaotic symphony of mismatched Tupperware lids and forgotten containers? You’re not alone.

We often view these plastic marvels as mere tools for leftovers, easily replaced and just as easily lost. But hold on a minute before you toss that avocado-colored set!

Turns out, some of those “disposable” plastic pieces from yesteryear could actually be valuable antiques, fetching a pretty penny from eager collectors. That’s right, your grandma’s old Tupperware might just be your ticket to some unexpected extra cash.

Let’s dive into which vintage Tupperware pieces are bringing in the big bucks on the resale market! (All estimated market values are based on recent eBay sales.)

1. The Elusive 1954 Millionaire Line Crumb Sweeper

Estimated Market Value: $250

Remember table crumbers? Probably not, since they’ve mostly vanished along with formal tablecloths.

That’s precisely why a Tupperware-manufactured crumb sweeper from their “Millionaire” line is such a rare find. It looks like a sleek, handle-less plastic dustbin, and if you’re lucky enough to unearth one, you could be looking at a significant payday.

2. Vintage Servalier Blue Canister Container Nests

Estimated Market Value: $150 – $200

These iconic canisters, with their “instant touch” sunburst pattern seals, are still in high demand for both collectors and everyday kitchen use. While all sets are desirable, those adorned with decals tend to out-sell their plain counterparts. And if you’ve got them in classic colors like blue or dusty rose, you’re likely sitting on more value than the avocado or orange sets.

3. Complete Tupperware Picnic Sets

Estimated Market Value: $120 – $175

As picnic culture embraced a more casual vibe, Tupperware stepped in to make food transport a breeze. Full Tupperware picnic sets from the mid-20th century are uncommon finds, but they’re still incredibly practical. The sets with sturdy hard plastic handles, rather than fabric straps, tend to command the highest prices.

4. Tupperware Bell Tumblers

Estimated Market Value: $100 – $135

One of Tupperware’s very first products, the Bell Tumbler, featured a distinctive flared lip that gave it its “bell” shape. These durable cups were a fixture in mid-century suburban homes. While released in various colors over the years, the original primary color sets or those complete with their lids are usually the top sellers.

5. Tupperware Hourglass Salt & Pepper Shakers

Estimated Market Value: $130

By the 1970s, it felt like every home had Tupperware salt and pepper shakers, from dinner tables to picnic baskets. Thanks to Tupperware’s famous “burping seal” technology, these shakers prevented clumping and offer a warm dose of nostalgia for Gen Xers. Sets manufactured between 1950 and 1970 are the ones to watch for on the resale market.

6. Classic Flat-Bottom Mixing Bowl Sets

Estimated Market Value: $50 – $110

Mixing bowls were at the heart of the legendary Tupperware parties that propelled the brand to fame. The original Wonderlier bowls later evolved into the more stable flat-bottom design, which remains popular. While classic earth tones generally perform well, other colors can also fetch high prices depending on their popularity – a red and orange set recently sold for $80!

7. Tupperware Microwave Stack Cookers and Steamers

Estimated Market Value: $80

The 1980s saw the introduction of Tupperware’s multi-level cooking system, designed to whip up full microwave meals in under 30 minutes. These original versions, often in earth tones, may contain BPA, making them better suited for collecting than actual use. However, newer, BPA-free models can also achieve solid resale prices.

8. Tupperware Cruet Salad Dressing Set

Estimated Market Value: $50

Tired of messy homemade salad dressings? Tupperware solved that problem in the 1960s and 70s with their hourglass-shaped cruets, featuring liquid-tight seals and push-button lids for mess-free shaking. The original sets typically come in an off-white/almond with a yellow button, and a harvest yellow with an off-white button.

9. Tupperware Salt and Pepper Caddies

Estimated Market Value: $25 – $45

Whether it’s a caddy for the hourglass shakers or the “Atomic” style designed for smaller shakers and toothpicks, a complete set (including the shakers) can bring in similar prices on the resale market.

10. Tupperware Blockbuster Bowl

Estimated Market Value: $50

This one’s all about nostalgia! Branded with the iconic Blockbuster Video logo, these bowls were perfect for popcorn – big enough for a generous serving and complete with a lid for storing leftovers. To get the most for yours, make sure the logo is intact and the lid is present.

The Bottom Line: Cash In on Your Kitchen Kitsch!

While vintage Tupperware is a hot commodity for collectors, it’s important to note that many pieces made before 2010 may contain BPA. This chemical, found in older plastics, can leach into food, especially when microwaved or run through a dishwasher. Modern Tupperware (post-2010) is BPA-free.

This means those vintage treasures are often best kept as display pieces for collectors, rather than for everyday use. And that’s excellent news for you!

Selling these nostalgic items can be a fantastic way to add some extra cash to your pocket and lighten your financial load. So go ahead, dig through those cabinets – you might just discover a hidden gem!