I got to poking around-there's a whole series of "Unloved Antiques" articles.
http://www.worthpoint.com/?s=unloved+antiques Some of this stuff I see go for stupid prices every Friday at the local auction.
My sister and I had a related conversation when we were closing my mom's house after she died. At what point does stuff go from being a meaningful family memento to attic clutter? Besides the 'old=gold' someone mentioned, I wonder how many of these crazy prices are predicated on the fact that it meant something to Grandma, so by golly it's got to be worth *something*?