Rare Finds and Memories

With each passing spring comes the perennial chore of spring cleaning and the rediscovery of old family heirlooms and treasures. But the common question often persists to those pondering whether or not to throw such items away: what’s it worth?

Sunday, Central Jersey residents were given an opportunity to have that question answered at What’s It Worth? event at the East Brunswick Public Library, where professional Auctioneer and Appraiser Joe Bodnar  spent several hours examining everything from a toy fire truck to a pen used by John F. Kennedy.

“There’s still a demand for antiques,” said Bodnar, who owns Bodnar’s Auction Sales of Somerset. “Some things bring in more than we expect, some things bring in less, but most things get fair value. “

The event, held for the eight year in a row by the Friends of the Library, drew dozens of people who hoped to hear their items could be worth a small fortune.

“We were just curious how much our dolls were worth,” said CarolAnn Bergler of Sayreville, who brought two 1930’s German dolls and a lithograph. Though Bodnar estimated the dolls only could fetch about $100 each at an auction, Bergler said she didn’t expect their condition to be as big a factor. “I was surprised, he said they were in such good shape for their age,” she said. 

John Johnson of South River came with a 1950’s vase and an old table passed down through his family. Johnson said he didn’t plan on selling the items, but just wanted to see what they were worth.

“I like the table anyway and the vase. Whatever it got, it got. If they told me a big price than maybe,” he said.

Though the advertisement asked for two items a person, some brought much more than that hoping to find some value in their collected items.

Tickets were sold for $10 to raise money for the Friends of the Library.

“There’s an interest out there in the community. Shows like Antiques Roadshow are very popular on TV, so people enjoy it,” she said.