Couple knows what antiques are worth

With a quick glance, Judy George can tell you how much a doll is worth. Her husband, Marty James, can do the same with a musical instrument.

Give them a little more time, and a chance to consult a book or two, and they can give you an exact amount.

George and James were two of a handful of appraisers who told people what their items were worth Saturday at the New Bern Preservation Foundation's antique show.

"Most people get appraisals for selling and for insurance purposes," James said. "When people realize they have something, they find out pretty quick what it's worth."

James, who plays many instruments, has been an appraiser for two years. He goes to repair shops and consults eBay and craigslist.com to compare prices. He said he likes to give an estimated price range and age.

On Saturday, he told Clara Jones of Trent Woods that her violin had been in her family for 200 years. He told Susan Smith of New Bern that her banjo ukulele was made in America 150 years ago.

"Get out of here," Smith said. "My dad's had it a long time. It could have been 108 yesterday."

George has been appraising for 30 years. She said a quality doll is dependent on age, what company made it and how well it was taken care of. She said an original, unopened Barbie doll from 1959 can be worth $6,000 to $7,000.

One time, a woman in Morehead City took two dolls out of a black garbage bag and asked her to appraise them.

"She said she'd put them in the garbage can on the way out if they weren't worth anything," George said. "I can look at a doll and say ‘oh boy.' She had $8,000 in that bag. I had to make her sit down."

Matt Tessnear can be reached at (252) 635-5673 or at mtessnear@freedomenc.com.