To the person who said “good things come in small packages”—I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to vintage and antique collectibles. There’s something about the attention to detail that goes into creating a miniature treasure that makes it feel all the more magical—even if these pieces don’t always serve a practical purpose. (Still, don’t they look sweet clustered on a shelf or perched on a windowsill?) Here are six pocket-sized vintage finds that bring me an outsized amount of joy—I hope they do the same for you.
Teeny, Tiny Duck Decoys
Often hand-carved from leftover bits of wood, these miniature duck decoys (think 5 inches or less) are actual works of art. And some command up to $5,000 apiece!
Mini Souvenir Mailbags
Sold in cities and at tourist attractions across the country, miniature mailbags filled with snapshots of a destination were a favorite way to send “Wish you were here” sentiments to loved ones during the 1940s and 1950s. Today these pocket-sized collectibles serve as symbols of the Golden Age of American car travel and can be picked up for $10 to $50 apiece. I kind of want to get my son a few as a toddler-sized way to learn about new places.
Clothespins!
Who knew there could be such variety in something so quotidian!? Clothespins remained primitive in design—just two prongs cut from a single piece of wood—until Vermont residents David M. Smith and Solon E. Moore patented models featuring spring hinges in the latter half of the 1800s. Avid collectors seek out extremes in scale, such as the oversize quilt clothespin and the mini melon-orange lingerie clip shown here. Expect to pony up a few dollars for curved-head dolly pegs (far right, center), around $20 apiece for hand-carved examples like the owl head (far left, bottom), and up to $100 for jumbo sizes.
Itty-Bitty Coffee Creamers
These vintage 2-inch-tall restaurant-ware creamers may look dainty, but they’ve withstood the wear and tear of busy hotels, trains, diners, and mess halls. I personally take my coffee black, but would be willing to convert to something milkier if it means justifying a collection this cute.
Matchbooks (My Forever Obsession)
Ah, the one collectible I truly cannot resist. I scoop up vintage versions pretty much anywhere I see ’em (my favorites are old motel and hotel books, shown here), and am known to make my husband double back for a second grab when newer versions are on offer at a restaurant. They sit in bowls all over our house, and I find it alarmingly soothing to sort through them and admire my favorites.
Cutie-Pie Doorbell Rosettes
With the invention of the electric doorbell in 1831 came the need to protect the area surrounding the push button. (Before this, most doorbell systems worked via pulley or twist knob.) Protective metal plates, or escutcheons, in primarily round shapes were known as rosettes. And if these are not the sweetest little alternative to the Ring cameras that currently sit at most front doors, then I simply do not know what is.
