Spring is renowned for being the season of clearing out the old and embracing the new. As such, many will be on a mission to tidy up wardrobes, garages and even the loft. But there are a few collectibles one should be aware of before discarding anything, with a book expert revealing that six items could be worth a fortune in the future. 

From rare novels and nostalgic collectables to AI relics, there are items you should keep your eyes on as they could be high-value collectables in the years to come. The expert has also given tips to help you spot future treasures - and explained why everyday items might be worth holding onto.

Items include sealed 90s video games, early AI models and even old band tees linked to major cultural moments, says Taskeen Ahmed, book collector and founder of Awesome Books, a UK-based sustainable bookseller.

He said that whether it’s a box in your parents’ loft or an old drawer in your own home, vintage items gathering dust could one day pay off. 

Ahmed said: “With collectors constantly on the hunt for rare pieces of cultural history, certain forgotten relics from the 1990s and 2000s are quietly gaining value. We’ve always believed in giving things a second life. That applies to literature, but also to tech, toys, and pop culture. Some of today’s most ordinary items could become tomorrow’s collector’s gold.”

So, what should people be holding onto? And what items are better off being binned? Ahmed reveals the six surprising items that are already catching the eyes of collectors.

Ahmed added: “Early artificial intelligence tools like GPT-2, GPT-3, and DALL·E mini might sound recent, but to tech historians and collectors, they’re already artefacts. These early AI models marked a turning point in technology. Think of them as the vinyl records of the tech world; currently outdated, soon to be iconic.”

He explained that unopened LEGO sets from the late 90s and early 2000s are already fetching impressive prices and that physical prints by digital artists also gaining interest. 

According to Ahmed, you should also keep hold of those old band T-shirts with items such as PlayStation 1, Game Boy, or early Nintendo DS also potentially being jackpots. 

When it comes to books, first editions of contemporary authors like Sally Rooney, Colleen Hoover, and Brandon Sanderson are already gaining traction with “signed copies, special editions, and low print-run releases are especially worth seeking out”.

“Even something as simple as a signed book, a worn-out tee, or an old USB can hold meaning – and monetary value – if it captures the spirit of its era,” added Ahmed.