THOMASTON, Maine — Kaja Veilleux has dedicated over five decades to unearthing hidden gems in New England’s attics. His remarkable journey includes discovering a copy of the Declaration of Independence among discarded items and making headlines this year after unearthing a potentially million-dollar portrait in a dusty farmhouse in Maine, thought to be by the renowned Dutch painter Rembrandt.
He recalls an incident where he was shown a $50,000 gold coin hidden in a tool drawer, only for the unsuspecting owner to accidentally diminish its value by scrubbing it with a scouring pad. “Every day feels like a treasure hunt,” Veilleux remarked with amusement.
The allure of turning a forgotten family heirloom into cash captivates many. For instance, in October, three sisters from Ohio sold an elusive dime for over $500,000, while a trove of vintage hockey cards discovered in a Canadian residence fetched an astounding $3.7 million two years ago.
At the age of 73, Veilleux utilizes his expertise in identifying valuable antiques, furniture, and art, assessing these items based on historical sale prices. However, the art auction market is notoriously unpredictable; a recent example of this is a banana taped to a wall, which surprisingly sold for over $6 million.
Veilleux’s journey into the world of antiques began at the tender age of eight when he started collecting coins, developing a keen visual memory. His education in antique dealing has come solely from practical experience, including an early lesson where he expended his savings on an enchanting miniature painting. Upon further inspection at home, he discovered it was merely a print that was hastily embellished with paint to appear authentic. “I paid $350 for a $35 item, and it taught me to scrutinize everything,” Veilleux reflected.
In the late 1990s, he encountered a significant find during a house visit in South Freeport, Maine, at a hoarder’s residence overflowing with clutter poised for disposal. Among the rubbish, Veilleux discovered a 1776 version of the Declaration of Independence. He sold it for $99,000, only for the state of Maine to claim ownership, resulting in a loss for both the buyer and seller.
This year marked Veilleux’s most lucrative discovery yet. While visiting a home in Camden, Maine, he began sifting through various items when he stumbled upon a collection of paintings. Among them was an exquisite portrait of a young woman, attributed to Rembrandt. Although the artwork was labeled as “after Rembrandt,” meaning it couldn’t be directly linked to the master, it still sold for an impressive $1.4 million, including auction fees. This indicated that the buyer was willing to take a risk on its authenticity, as a confirmed work would likely have garnered an even higher price.
Every Tuesday, individuals flock to Veilleux’s office in Thomaston, Maine, to evaluate their family treasures and collectibles, hoping to learn their worth in the auction market. The appraisal process is complimentary; however, Veilleux does receive a commission if the items sell through his Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.
Recently, Erika Taylor visited Veilleux with art pieces her father had collected in China during the 1940s after fleeing Nazi Germany. One piece featured a blooming peony and the other a grasshopper. Veilleux initially valued each artwork at up to $30,000 based on photographs. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, he revealed that the items were prints, as the ink had not sunk through the paper. “It’s disappointing,” expressed Taylor, though she acknowledged Veilleux’s extensive experience in the field. She contemplated seeking a second opinion on the artworks.
In contrast, Jean Koenig received promising news about her sizable aquamarine ring, which had a fascinating backstory: her father discovered the gem in a Brazilian mine, and her grandmother transformed it into a ring adorned with rubies and diamonds. Eventually, Koenig decided to auction the ring, with an estimated value between $10,000 and $15,000, planning to divide the proceeds among her seven siblings. “It’s just been sitting in a box for years,” she noted. “We decided it was finally time to do something with it.”