9 Valuable Vintage Blankets You Should Always Look For At Thrift Stores

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Seeing old blankets at thrift stores might seem like a pretty common experience, but it can sometimes be an exciting event. In some cases, you might even find blankets or quilts in thrift stores that are rare and valuable. Whether you stumble upon near-antique finds from special events or high-quality weaves that have stood the test of time, you could be looking at a pretty payday.

Many woven blankets purchased now are made of acrylic fibers, and most contemporary bedding items are lightweight covers such as down-filled duvets or polyester comforters. The "heavier" blankets of yesteryear have their nostalgic value, and they are often made of durable natural fibers. There aren't as many wool products being manufactured in the United States these days, giving them inherent value. Some people assume this material is scratchy and prickly, but vintage wool blankets are often soft and durable, and thrift shops are great places to find them. If they're in good condition and don't smell of toxic mothballs (a product you definitely should never put in your closets), you've found a durable and warm blanket for the cold winter months. 

With a bit more investigation, however, you may also come across something that's especially rare and collectible! Vintage wool blankets can be a real find, because if they're properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. Some have links to historic woolen mills that no longer exist. Other types of vintage and antique blankets or quilts can be sought after on eBay or by collectors, depending on their origins and the condition they're in. While many people pass by this section at the thrift, it can be a gold mine of history.

These solid wool blankets are often called "Hudson Bay Point" blankets and were made in England by the Hudson's Bay Company beginning in 1779. They were used as currency in the Canadian fur trade. There are a number of companies who've made similar-looking blankets since, including J. C. Penney, whose Polar Star blanket under the "Golden Dawn" label can be found on eBay starting at $150. Prices can range from $50 (with fading or fraying), to $600 (in new condition), with the rare red or green colorways being especially sought after.

These rare and historically significant blankets were made by the Pendleton company to commemorate the 1932 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, California. They are solid wool with rayon satin edging, and came in lilac or salmon pink colors, some with stripes. What sets them apart is the special embroidered tag picturing a Greco-Roman-style Olympic athlete holding a garland. These blankets are sometimes found on eBay, starting at $999 (or best offer) with some listings starting at over $1,900. 

The American "crazy quilt" originated in the Victorian era, with fabric scraps stitched together and sewn to a solid backing. Silk and velvet scraps lent an air of luxury, and patchwork sewing became a cultural craze. Listings on eBay aren't always true crazy quilts, which have elaborate hand-stitching and haphazard shapes. Crazy quilts in "as is" condition start at $60, with some "cutters" fetching $150 or more. Antique crazy quilts in excellent condition may start at $1,400 or more. Unlike some authentic vintage quilts, crazy quilts may be quite delicate and need proper handling and care.

Perhaps no Afghan pattern is more beloved than the crocheted "granny square" design. The colorful handmade squares were made ahead of time and assembled together with fringed knots on the sides. On eBay, a wool granny square afghan in good condition sells for between $50 and $150 or more. There are also many available made with acrylic yarn, which became more popular by the 1950s, at lower price points. 

Beacon blankets were made by the Beacon Manufacturing Company. Founded in Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1904, it later moved to North Carolina. It specialized in cotton flannel and cotton/wool blend blankets during WWII, and also manufactured fabric to make robes. These blankets usually sell for between $100 and $200 secondhand, but the pricing can vary widely based on the pattern, condition, and fabric blend.

Even more sought after and valuable than Beacon's plaid blankets are the Native American-inspired design blankets made in the 1920s and 1930s. These popular blankets were controversial. Native American blanket makers claimed the Beacon blankets with names like "Wigwam" and "Sachem," advertised with illustrations of Native American weavers, created "unfair competition" in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. Without the actual label, these blankets are often hard to authenticate, but they can still reach prices in the $300 range.

Felted wool blankets made by the famed Kenwood woolen mills in Ontario, Canada, were considered a practical and luxurious gift for many decades. Made from 1929 onwards, the blanket lines included "Cralo," "Arondac," and "Ramcrest." Kenwood blankets made in the 1950s were "mothproofed" using a chemical known as Mitin FF in the dye bath. A vintage Kenwood blanket in the common dusty pink color starts at $45 on eBay, or up to $150 in the original box, with less commonly seen colors like pale blue starting at $75, or older labels starting at $170.

The "Golden Dawn" label wool blankets from JCPenney are fine vintage gems from one of the most famous U.S. department store labels. Vintage collectors refer to dates of manufacture of these blankets roughly between the 1940s and 1960s. Made of 100% wool with a rayon satin binding, a solid cherry red blanket is a much rarer find than the ubiquitous dusty rose or cream. It lists on eBay with a price range between $78.95 and $183.99.

After the famous Pearce woolen mills in Pennsylvania were purchased by Woolrich in 1928, the company's fine merino wool blankets added the Woolrich name to what historians and collectors call the black and gold label. These blankets are well-constructed using old-fashioned wool weaving methods and are still available but hard to find. A pair of 80 by 70 grey wool blankets in good condition starts at $115, a tartan plaid 60 by 60 stadium blanket in good condition sells for $75, and a Southwestern design 48 by 74 throw sells for $209.