Loading Spinner

Schools - General

The history of a school provides an image of the changing culture in a town, city, or region. People who are interested in the history of an area, or who are researching the genealogy of a family often refer to historical school records for clues. Those who attended a specific school may also collect historical items and memorabilia from that school.

Old school records and photographs might pertain to a local one-room schoolhouse, an early high school, or a university. They document the people who attended the school, teachers who taught there, and changes to the location and physical school building. Classroom photographs are especially of interest to people who are looking for their ancestors or documenting the history of an area. Vintage school yearbooks include individual pictures of students and faculty as well as historical facts and statistics about the school.

School memorabilia items are also popular with collectors. Many people collect items that depict the schools they attended. Class rings, sports pennants, pins, letter jackets, trophies, uniforms, and other items are of interest. Some collectors also acquire old school desks, heating stoves, bells, slates, and globes.


Quick Facts

  • The school yearbook was invented by George K. Warren, a photographer who specialized in portraits of college graduates in the 1860s. The individual portraits of the classmates were bound into a fancy album and sold to the students
  • School memorabilia becomes valuable when it is associated with a famous person. In 2011, former NBA star Julius Irving's high school class ring sold at auction for $35,801
  • Marilyn Monroe only appeared in one edition of her high school yearbook, the 1942 Chieftain from University High School in West Los Angeles, California. A sophomore, the then Norma Baker appeared on page 48. Editions of the 1942 Chieftain now regularly command more than $2,000 each

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Vtg Boy Scout pins/award and more, Toshiba/hp
Feb 16, 10:00 AM MST
Vtg Boy Scout pins/award and more, Toshiba/hp
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
bp parity badge
Vintage OSU Ohio State University Ephemera
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
Vintage OSU Ohio State University Ephemera
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
bp parity badge
Boys Scouts, Pennsylvania, Roadway, & More Patches
Feb 22, 9:00 AM EST
Boys Scouts, Pennsylvania, Roadway, & More Patches
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $40- $80
$251 Bid
bp parity badge
Mens High School Sports Class Ring
Feb 21, 5:30 PM CST
Mens High School Sports Class Ring
by Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC
Est: $50- $100
$101 Bid
HUGH HEFNER'S SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK IN A FRAME
Mar 12, 11:00 AM EDT
HUGH HEFNER'S SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK IN A FRAME
by Joe R. Pyle Complete Auction & Realty LLC
Est: $9- $9,999
$50 Bids
STEVEN SPIELBERG HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK, JUST THE YEARBOOK
Mar 12, 11:00 AM EDT
STEVEN SPIELBERG HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK, JUST THE YEARBOOK
by Joe R. Pyle Complete Auction & Realty LLC
Est: $9- $9,999
$50 Bids
PAUL NEWMAN SHAKER HIGH SCHOOL OHIO YEARBOOK
Mar 12, 11:00 AM EDT
PAUL NEWMAN SHAKER HIGH SCHOOL OHIO YEARBOOK
by Joe R. Pyle Complete Auction & Realty LLC
Est: $9- $9,999
$50 Bids
BOY SCOUT AND GIRL SCOUT UNIFORM WITH DAMAGE AND WEAR
Mar 12, 11:00 AM EDT
BOY SCOUT AND GIRL SCOUT UNIFORM WITH DAMAGE AND WEAR
by Joe R. Pyle Complete Auction & Realty LLC
Est: $9- $9,999
$50 Bids
ENGLISH CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE ROWING RACE TROPHY OAR
Feb 20, 10:00 AM GMT
ENGLISH CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE ROWING RACE TROPHY OAR
by Lyon & Turnbull
Est: £300- £500
£2400 Bids
Group of Boy Scout Belts, Canteen, Patches etc
Feb 28, 10:00 AM EST
Group of Boy Scout Belts, Canteen, Patches etc
by Schultz Auctioneers
Est: $100- $300
$500 Bids
bp parity badge
Boy Scout Group
Feb 18, 10:00 AM EST
Boy Scout Group
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $25- $35
$100 Bids
bp parity badge
Go Get Em Mac Springfield College button 3”
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
Go Get Em Mac Springfield College button 3”
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $100- $200
$90 Bids
BSA Adirondack Scouting Historical Archive
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
BSA Adirondack Scouting Historical Archive
by Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $150- $250
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Schools - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Lyon & Turnbull

Lyon & Turnbull

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Barry S. Slosberg Inc