5. Zippo Lighters
Zippo lighters are a great way to turn a couple of Washingtons into a couple of Jacksons and possibly a lot more.
As with most collectible items, with Zippos, the rule of thumb is the older the better. Many companies have contracted with Zippo to produce limited runs of promotional lighters.
These were then given away to customers or employees so it’s not impossible to find a never used model still in its original packaging.
There are also sets that collectors are looking to complete so once you have some on hand do a little research so that you set your pricing accordingly.
Zippos can be found at flea markets, estate auctions and even tag sales. Some people have no idea what they have when they are selling a bunch of old things at a tag sale, so look through the junk piles and see if you can come up with a Zippo winner.
Zippo began producing lighters back in 1932 and these models are easy to identify because by 1933 the length of the Zippo lighter was reduced by ¼ of an inch.
Check the Zippo to see if replacement hinges have been used, because this will reduce the value a bit.