Value of old videos

Hi,
I wonder if you can help. I've replaced most of my VHS film collection with DVD in the last couple of years - but now I'm stuck with a load of VHS duplicates. Are these worth anything or should I just flog them all at the carboot sale for £1 each?

Thanks for your help.

- Darren (Birmingham, UK)

Hi Darren,
To be honest, it's rather like asking how long is a piece of string! I was once told that old VHS videos are like comics - with early editions worth able to fetch good money if sold to the right people.

Value of old dress patterns

"My Mum has a load of old dress patterns in a drawer. Are they worth anything or should she just throw them out?"

- Sarah (Telford, UK)

Hi Sarah,
That's almost like asking how long is a piece of string!

Vintage clothing patterns can have a monetary value, but many have no real value at all, so there's no hard and fast rule.

Are yours worth anything? Read on for the key indicators of a vintage pattern's value...

Mancunia Travel bag

"I wonder if you can help. I picked up a vintage-looking sports bag a few weeks back, with the logo Mancunia Travel on it. It's pretty cool and I have seen them occasionally in vintage shops around Manchester. Do you know if Mancunia Travel existed and how much bags are worth?

- Pete Mitchell (Blackburn, UK)

Hi Pete,
I'd seen these around a bit too and didn't know anything about them until an old lady in a charity shop gave me the story! Mancunia Travel did exist and indeed still do exist.

They are a very small travel company based (unsurprisingly) in Manchester. They specialise in religious pilgrimages. The bags are given free (not sold) to people who go on excursions with the company. Hence, the reason why you see them a lot in charity shops and house clearance, but never for sale.