Greatness Behind the Gavel—The Rise of America’s Top Picker and Auctioneer

In the first installment of this special two-part series, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries founder Kaja Veilleux joins Auction Waves host Elizabeth McLeod for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that spans a lifetime of dedication to the arts—and a passion for collecting everything from coins to cars.

With insight and brilliance, Kaja shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and motivations that shaped his remarkable career—and elevated Thomaston Place Auction Galleries to international acclaim and recognition.

Together they trace Kaja’s extraordinary journey—from his early fascination with the material past to his rise as New England’s most respected picker, collector, appraiser, and auctioneer. Along the way, Kaja pioneered the “Free Appraisal” concept, a revolutionary idea later popularized by Antiques Roadshow.

One California client put it best: “Kaja isn’t just the greatest picker on the East Coast—he’s the greatest in America.” In this episode, you’ll hear Kaja reflect on what it takes to earn such acclaim from our clients—the sharp eye, the instinct, a photographic memory, and the relentless drive behind a life spent chasing history and the importance of preserving the past for future generations. 

As a preview of what’s coming in Part Two is the incredible story of how Kaja uncovered a long-lost 17th-century portrait of a young girl by Rembrandt, tucked away in a Camden, Maine attic. That routine house call led to a record-breaking $1.4 million sale—the highest ever fetched at auction in Maine.

This extraordinary discovery not only confirms Kaja’s reputation as “America’s greatest picker,” but also reflects his lifelong commitment to rescuing lost treasures—from the East Coast and New England and “the treasure chest of America”—and untimely the continued success of one of the country’s most respected auctioneers.

Don’t miss this captivating insight into the greatness behind the gavel—and an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look inside the gallery. Listen now, and subscribe to Auction Waves so you won’t miss Part Two.