The Treasure Hunter HOW A MAN FROM WATERVILLE GREW AN INTERNATIONAL AUCTION HOUSE IN MIDCOAST MAINE
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t first glance, Kaja Veilleux is an imposing figure. He’s tall and smartly dressed, with broad shoulders and thick, verging on wild, hair. And there’s something vaguely old-world about him. With that name and his look, you would take him at first to be a symphony conductor or a time traveler. His office at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is easily the most ornate and interesting I have ever seen in more than 20 years of journalism. Every surface is covered in figurines or sculptures and every wall is adorned with paintings. The office is home to a hefty meteorite and an onyx box that William Randolph Hearst once gave to someone as a gift. In a round holder by the door, there must be at least 30 vintage canes with decorative heads. As Kaja shows me his collection of cast iron mechanical penny banks dating back to the late 19th century, the years slide away, and he’s suddenly the kid next door showing me his best toys. It’s easy to imagine the boy he once was, a curious eight-year-old who started his 12 • MAINE SENIORS
career by collecting rare coins that were dropped on the counter at his grandfather’s grocery store. He went from making a study of coins, learning what made one special and another ordinary, to running an appraisal and auction business that handles from $8-$10 million worth of high-end art, furniture, and antiques every year. People often have inherited items or are looking to sell as they downsize for retirement. Kaja and fellow auctioneer John Bottero visit homes to appraise these items. These experts have encyclopedic knowledge of art, furniture, decorative items, books, and all manner of human possessions and can quickly attach a value to anything and everything. “I find it interesting and exhilarating because it’s like a giant treasure hunt every day,” Kaja said. He noted that he is the originator of free appraisal day. Every Tuesday, people can bring anything they want to Thomaston Place for appraisals from Kaja or John. Kaja said he started this practice more than 40 years ago, and it has since been copied by
PHOTOS: (ABOVE) DANIEL DUNKLE; (OPPOSITE) JASON PAIGE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
By Dan Dunkle
