You know those old plastic containers gathering dust in your grandmother’s kitchen cabinet? Let’s be real, most people wouldn’t give them a second glance. They’re just Tupperware, right? Wrong.
Here’s the thing: that colorful collection of bowls and shakers could actually be sitting on some serious cash value. Many Tupperware items are now considered collectible, with some classic examples worth over a hundred dollars or more. The vintage kitchen collectibles market has exploded over the past few years, with nostalgic millennials and Gen Z collectors hunting down pieces their parents probably bought for a couple bucks at a party decades ago. It’s hard to say for sure, but certain vintage Tupperware pieces command surprisingly high prices on platforms like eBay and Etsy.
So let’s get started and see which three vintage Tupperware items are worth a small fortune today.
The Wonderlier Bowls: Tupperware’s First Burping Success
These were one of Tupperware’s first products in the 1940s with the signature burping lid, and the Wonderlier bowls were often sold in sets. What made them revolutionary was Earl Tupper’s patented airtight seal that literally burped out excess air, keeping food fresher for longer than anything else on the market at the time.
Colors range from frosted white to pastel to the earth tones of the 1970s, which means there’s a rainbow of options out there for collectors. The pastel versions are particularly coveted, especially when you can find a complete set with matching lids. Today, a set of vintage Tupperware Wonderlier bowls sells for about one hundred seventy five dollars in excellent condition. Even single pieces aren’t exactly cheap anymore.
Sets sell for more, but even a single bowl with a lid will earn you twenty dollars or more. The key here is condition. Collectors want pieces that haven’t yellowed, cracked, or lost their vibrant color. If you stumble upon a set in mint condition at an estate sale, grab it without hesitation.
The Measuring Pitcher: Nearly A Hundred Bucks For Plastic
I know it sounds crazy, but a vintage Tupperware measuring pitcher can be worth almost as much as a modern kitchen appliance. This frost-coated measuring pitcher is a hot commodity right now, consistently fetching nearly one hundred dollars for one in good condition, with the slimmer, spouted design in higher demand than the bowl styles.
These pitchers weren’t just functional. They were designed with that classic mid-century aesthetic that screams retro kitchen charm. The frosted finish gives them a distinctive look that’s instantly recognizable to collectors.
Why so valuable? Honestly, it comes down to rarity and nostalgia combined with actual functionality. Unlike purely decorative vintage items, these pitchers can still be used today, which appeals to people who want both form and function in their kitchens. It’s likely due to a mix of nostalgia for those who remember using old Tupperware when they were growing up and the fact that these pieces are still functional, with the midcentury colors being lovely.
The Millionaire Collection Salt And Pepper Shakers: Atomic Age Elegance
Back in the late 1940s, Tupperware was already setting its sights on the finer things in life with collections like the pastel-hued Millionaire Collection, which were sold in department stores targeting more affluent consumers of the time. These weren’t your everyday shakers. They embodied the optimism and futuristic design sensibilities of post-war America.
The Millionaire Collection Salt and Pepper Shakers, with their sleek atomic-era design, were part of this exclusive line and incorporated a small toothpick holder at the top of the stand. That’s right – these shakers were multitaskers before multitasking was cool. The design is reminiscent of the Space Age aesthetic with clean lines and that distinctive mid-century modern vibe.
If you find a lightly-used model with the lettering still on the salt and pepper shakers it can be sold for up to forty five dollars. However, salt and pepper shaker sets may sell for about fifty dollars up to about two hundred dollars, depending on their condition. Complete sets with the original stand, clear lettering, and no chips or cracks are what serious collectors are after. The flip-top lids and visible S and P labels add significant value.
