Kaja Veilleux, an appraiser, examines a bronze item brought in by a client at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. AP Photo
Kaja Veilleux has spent over 50 years uncovering hidden treasures in New England attics, and his discoveries have often made headlines. One of his most notable finds was a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, which he stumbled upon in a pile of trash at an old farmhouse. More recently, he discovered a portrait believed to be painted by the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt, which sold for over a million dollars. However, not all finds have been as fortunate. Veilleux recalls a time when a well-meaning homeowner accidentally ruined a $50,000 gold coin by cleaning it with a scouring pad, diminishing its value.
Veilleux, now 73, has seen a variety of priceless heirlooms and collectibles over the years. In one instance, three sisters from Ohio sold a rare dime for more than $500,000, and just two years ago, a box of old hockey cards found in a Canadian home fetched $3.7 million. While these treasures can be highly valuable, the world of antique dealing is unpredictable. Veilleux, who has a deep understanding of the value of items, notes that art auctions, for example, can be surprising. Who would have thought a banana duct-taped to a wall could sell for $6 million?
Veilleux’s journey in the antiques world began when he was just eight years old, collecting coins. His sharp memory for objects helped him excel in his field. However, one early lesson came with a costly mistake. He bid on a miniature painting he thought was valuable, only to realize later that it was a print with painted touches, not an original. This experience taught him to carefully examine objects before making a purchase.
In the late 1990s, Veilleux was called to a house in South Freeport, Maine, where piles of trash were being discarded. Among the clutter, he spotted what turned out to be a 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence. He sold it for $99,000, but the state of Maine sued to take possession of it, leaving both the buyer and seller with nothing. This case highlighted the complexities of ownership and authenticity when it comes to rare finds.
Silverware is being weighed as part of an appraisal process at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. AP Photo
One of his most remarkable discoveries came just this year. Veilleux, along with an assistant, was sorting through a home in Camden, Maine, when they uncovered a painting of a young woman, believed to be by Rembrandt. Although it was not definitively proven to be the artist’s work, the painting sold for $1.4 million. The buyer took a considerable risk, hoping the portrait could be authenticated as a genuine Rembrandt, which would have made it worth much more.
Every Tuesday, people visit Veilleux’s auction house in Thomaston, Maine, bringing in items they hope to sell. While the appraisals are free, Veilleux earns a commission if the items are sold at auction. Sometimes, the news isn’t what sellers hope for. Erika Taylor brought two paintings her father had collected in China during the 1940s. Veilleux initially estimated their value at $30,000 each, but upon closer inspection, he determined they were prints, not original artworks. Despite the disappointment, Taylor acknowledged Veilleux’s expertise.
Appraiser Kaja Veilleux examines a set of silver pieces at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. AP Photo
Jean Koenig, on the other hand, had better news. She brought in a large aquamarine ring her father had found in Brazil and had it made into jewelry by her grandmother. Veilleux estimated it would sell for between $10,000 and $15,000, and Koenig decided to auction it, planning to share the proceeds with her seven siblings.
