Boxes filled with old cameras, watches, jewellery, coins and other items that have been stored in an attic or cupboard for years can still be surprisingly valuable. This is highlighted in a report published by NRC on 13 August about. Vintage.com in Duiven.
According to NRC, the company receives more than a thousand boxes containing items from all over Europe every day. The average value of the contents of each box is between €100 and €200. Occasionally, however, some remarkable finds turn up. These have even included documents from the Second World War signed by Winston Churchill.
now what it’s worth first
The article also highlights the importance of the distinction between valuation and purchasing.
For example, a Canon A-1 camera was valued at approximately €40. According to the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Vintage.com the owner would probably receive an offer of €20 to €25. This is understandable: a buyer has to take into account costs, risks and a profit margin when the item is later resold.
But as an owner, it is reassuring to know first. What do I actually have, and approximately how much is it worth?
That is exactly what I focus on with Walma Valuation Services That is exactly what I focus on.
No rush to sell
I assess gold and silver jewellery, silverware and vintage watches, among other items. I look beyond just weight or material value. Brand, age, design, condition and collectability can also play an important role in determining an item’s value.
An old watch, for example, may be worth more than just the gold contained in its case. The same applies to jewellery or distinctive pieces of silverware.
My approach is therefore simple
First assess, research and value the item – and only then decide what you would like to do with it.
Having an item valued by me does not mean that you are under any obligation to sell it. You can simply take your items home again and take your time to consider what you would like to do.
Perhaps it’s time to open that old box after all?
Many people still have a box at home containing belongings from their parents or grandparents, without really knowing what the items are or what they might be worth. Throwing them away would be a shame, but selling them straight away without knowing their value can also be unwise.
That is precisely why it can be worthwhile to have those old pieces of jewellery, that watch or that silverware assessed.
By Walma Valuation Services You can have your items assessed with no obligation. This gives you a better understanding of what you own before deciding what to do with them.
Source: NRC, 13 August 2026, report “Boxes full of old items still have value here, from cameras to Churchill’s attack plans.