10 Valuable Vintage Bread Boxes You Should Be Looking For At The Thrift Store

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Breadboxes often showcase the design style of the era in which they were made. However, most go unused or unnoticed in today's kitchen. They were once an important part of home food storage, keeping fresh-baked bread at a consistent temperature and extending its life. Breadboxes peaked in popularity in the 1920s — though earlier iterations were in use before this date. Once preservatives started being used in breadmaking, the need for breadboxes fell by the wayside. Today, vintage breadboxes are coveted by collectors and decorators because they mix function, quality, and retro style. Not sure where to find one? Thrift stores are goldmines for breadboxes.

Vintage breadboxes come in a slew of styles and materials. Old, handmade wooden boxes feature premium materials and hand craftsmanship. Metal boxes, which were popular in the mid-century, come replete with bright colors and cheerful designs that exude positive vibes. Many can be found with chipped paint or worn enamel — often fixable if you want to attempt a mend. Others have survived the decades in surprisingly good condition. Whether made of wood, enamel, or metal, some breadboxes are treasured vintage and antique items that dominate thrifting trends. Some brands, like Ransburg and Waechtersbach, and specific styles, including double-decker breadboxes, are highly collectible. Whether you want to flip your thrift store find for a profit or adorn your kitchen with it, you'll have done well if you snatch up any of the breadboxes listed below.

Ransburg breadboxes are still highly sought-after because of their simple, hand-painted designs — often florals, fruits, and country scenes — and mid-century aesthetic. They were made between 1933 and the mid-1960s, and each one is a little different, making them even more collectible. Although not every breadbox has the Ransburg logo, you can check on the inside of the lid or the bottom. Authentic ones can sell for $50 or much more.

The round hinged-door breadbox is a thrift store score because of its unique shape. These boxes, usually made of tin or metal, were manufactured during the first part of the 20th century. They have a curved lid with hinges on the side that opens outward like a door. Breadboxes with original paint, strong hinges, and little rust typically fetch higher prices. If those things don't bother you, snap this breadbox up when you have the opportunity, regardless of its condition.

Wooden roll-top breadboxes feature slatted doors that slide upward, saving space while keeping your bread fresh. You can find new breadboxes with a similar style, but they don't hold a candle to vintage versions — or have wording on the front in an old-timey font. Roll-top breadboxes are worth picking up at the thrift store because they can go for over $100 on resale sites like eBay. Handcrafted new wooden roll-tops also exceed this price point.

Lincoln Beauty Ware breadboxes can transport you into a mid-century kitchen. They're made of metal and usually painted in soft, pastel hues or all-over chrome. These vintage breadboxes are simple in design, with curved corners and chrome hardware. Most genuine retro versions will have some patina and even surface rust, but that only adds to their collectibility. These pretty breadboxes sell for $40 or more online, so pick one up if you find it sitting on a thrift store shelf.

Although enamel breadboxes are easier to find than most other vintage styles, they're no less valuable. For example, the box pictured above is listed for about $140. They fit effortlessly into a home with modern farmhouse, contemporary cottage, or European-inspired kitchen décor. You'll usually see them in white, cream, or pretty pastels. If you find an enamel breadbox while thrifting, you don't have to use it for baked goods, either. Ways to repurpose a breadbox around your home for organization and style include turning it into a charging station, nightstand, coffee bar, or mailbox.

Wooden inlay breadboxes are collectible because of the attention to detail given by the person who crafted them. They're also very reminiscent of a '70s style home, with the inlay often set behind a Lucite dome. Most have roll-top or hinged lids and boast a short rectangular shape that's perfect for kitchen countertops. The great thing about this style of breadbox is that it's relatively easy to repair if the finish is looking a bit lackluster. They're made of solid wood, so all they need is a light sand and some wood stain.

Hailing from Germany, Waechtersbach breadboxes are a cool find if you stumble across one while you're out thrifting. Waechtersbach breadboxes are made from thick, glazed porcelain with hand-painted blue and white designs set into a solid wood frame. This gives them a distinctive old-world style, with some dating back as far as the 1800s. Some Waechtersbach designs even feature Dutch waterside scenes and windmills. The brand's blue and white breadboxes are harder to find, but not impossible.

The copper breadbox by Williams-Sonoma isn't exactly vintage — it was made between 2010 and 2019. However, it's still a valuable collector's item as far as breadboxes go. It was handmade by a family-owned shop in Turkey, making each breadbox unique. When they pop up on resale sites like eBay, they boast sale prices of over $100. If the copper is in good shape and it has all its parts, these Williams-Sonoma breadboxes should hold their value. Some light wear is normal, and perhaps even welcomed.

The layered design and unique hand-painted patterns of Ransburg double-decker tin breadboxes make them super cool — and highly coveted — collectibles. These somewhat hard-to-find boxes have two compartments, making them ultra-functional and cute. Each one has Ransburg's classic stencil designs, usually featuring flowers or fruit in bright colors. Depending on their condition, they can resell for $75 and up. Don't sell your find, though. Turn one of these unique thrifted breadbox into a beautiful bespoke décor piece for your home.

Here's something a little different! Vintage chapati boxes are traditionally used for keeping Indian chapatis — flatbreads made from whole-wheat flour — fresh. They are usually made of solid brass, are round- or cylinder-shaped, have a hinged lid, and feature hammered or engraved designs. Although there are plenty of preowned chapati boxes for sale, older models can fetch around $100 or more. Prices depend on how ornate the box is and what features it has.