ALLENTOWN – Area residents had a chance to have their personal treasures appraised during a friend/fundraiser at the Allentown Public Library on Sept. 17.
The first “What’s it Worth” event at the library was conducted by Joe Bodnar of Bodnar Auction House, Edison, according to a press release.
Those who attended learned about the appraisal process and were entertained by the discussion of several dozen items ranging from antique dolls, 18th century furniture and costume and fine jewelry to toys, works of art and more, according to the press release.
The event was hosted by the Allentown Public Library Association and was intended to bring something new to the community that could be fun as well as helpful. All proceeds from the event will benefit the library, according to the press release.
Bodnar noted his 24 years in the business and said he sees it as a way to help people.
“People turn to auctioneers when they need money, or are downsizing, or to help with an estate,” he said.
He explained to those in attendance that auctioneers do not buy anything, but help by appraising value, promoting items to interested buyers and getting the bidding going.
Items that are “hot” in today’s auction market are from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
“People are buying back their memories,” which, Bodnar said, explains the high regard for “Star Wars” and Disney items, and other cultural phenomenon from that era.
True antiques which are more than 100 years old are less valuable in today’s market, which is driven in part by what is relevant to millennials (people born between about 1982 and 2004), he explained.
Bodnar explained other factors that impact an item’s value. He said if an item is connected to a name, like a piece of jewelry stamped “Tiffany,” the price increases. Items that have a provenance — paperwork or the owner’s knowledge of the origin or history of the item — can turn a near worthless item into something of value.
Bodnar said people are surprised when he does an appraisal of a household of goods and that what the owner thinks is valuable often is not, yet things that are considered trash — like a lunchbox from the 1960s — may be highly desired in the market, according to the press release.
Men’s watches, particularly from the 1950s, are more valuable than women’s fine watches; men’s watches are more sought after. Costume jewelry is in vogue, particularly since so much gold and silver jewelry has been sold for the price of the metal, according to the press release.
During “What’s it Worth,” Bodnar provided tips to protect the value of objects.
“Never put silver in plastic” he warned, as it creates black spots that can never be removed. “Use chalk to prevent tarnish” he advised. Having an item in its original box increases its value.
Bodnar told the guests never to clean coins, saying collectors like the old look of coins, and he suggested that people should not take coins to a coin dealer or jeweler who may be more interested today in the value of the metal rather than in the coin itself.
“Coins do well,” he said, particularly silver dollars and gold coins. Bodnar said the condition of a coin is key in determining its value.
