Where New Discoveries Begin— Celebrating 50 Years of Free Appraisal Day
In the world of fine art and antiques, the most remarkable discoveries often begin quietly and humbly—as a moment of curiosity, dusting off an heirloom in a New England barn, or a long forgotten object brought in for a free appraisal, and where hidden histories are sometimes revealed.
Occasionally, such moments reveal exceptional finds. Most recently, a collection of jewelry attributed to Fulco di Verdura and dating back to the 1930s surfaced during a Free Appraisal session at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. Later consigned and subsequently offered at auction, the heritage designs went on to attract regional, national, and international attention from collectors worldwide.
The discovery emerged during a recent Tuesday session, where specialists uncovered seven exceptional miniature works of art that were presented in partnership with a local Maine charity.
Bold yet delicate, the jewelry reflects Verdura’s distinctive blend of European refinement and modern design, while offering a rare view into the past designs and fashions of the 1930s. Comparable designs attributed to Fulco di Verdura are held in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, underscoring the historical significance of the pieces.
Proceeds from the sale—totaling $39,587—benefited a local charity, reflecting the gallery’s ongoing commitment to supporting the community. At the request of the beneficiary organization, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries has been asked to draw attention not to a single pantry, but rather to the broader network of organizations providing food assistance throughout the state, and to encourage the public to support their local food pantry.
In keeping with this request, we encourage everyone to support their local pantry and to make use of resources that connect communities with food assistance programs across Maine. The following resources may help locate nearby food pantries:
Good Shepherd Food Bank Map – An interactive map allowing users to search by ZIP code or town to find local food pantries:
Maine Department of Agriculture TEFAP Directory (By Town) – A statewide listing of food pantries organized alphabetically by town:
Maine Department of Agriculture TEFAP Directory (By County) – A directory of food pantries organized by county:
Set against this backdrop of community support and philanthropy, the jewelry collection went on to become a prominent feature of the Winter Enchantment Auction, a highly successful sale that generated international interest.
From the appraisal desk to the auction block, the heritage designs ultimately achieved remarkable results. Yet discoveries like this are nothing new. For fifty years, moments like these, at times large and sometimes small, are unfolding weekly in Maine.
The Origins of Free Appraisal Day
The tradition first began in 1976, when Kaja Veilleux originated an innovative concept that would become a defining Maine tradition: Free Appraisal Day.
First held in Newcastle Square, the event invited members of the local community to bring paintings, antiques, jewelry, and curiosities for expert evaluation—establishing a longstanding tradition with no appointment required and no cost to participate.
Long before television programs such as Antiques Roadshow captured the public imagination—the BBC series debuted in 1979 and the American version followed in 1997—Free Appraisal Day in Maine was already well underway and offering the local community direct access to professional appraisers while uncovering stories hidden within everyday objects.
For its time, the idea was remarkably forward-thinking. What began as a modest weekly gathering soon grew into a beloved New England tradition. Today, the tradition continues every Tuesday in Thomaston—where visitors bring objects for expert antique and fine art appraisal and evaluation, ranging from family heirlooms, to unusual collectibles to flea-market finds. While many items reveal modest histories, others emerge as extraordinary discoveries that capture the attention of collectors and media from around the world.
As recently reported in Antiques and The Arts Weekly— “Thomaston’s Winter Enchantment Sale Gets Year Off to Explosive Start”—stories like this continue to demonstrate why Free Appraisal Day remains such an integral part of Thomaston Place’s mission. For five decades, the tradition has uncovered rare finds, historically significant artifacts, and museum-quality objects that have gone on to captivate collectors from around the world.
Equally important, it reflects the company’s belief and ongoing commitment that the world of fine art and antiques should remain approachable, educational, and accessible—and where discoveries made in Maine can resonate with collectors from anywhere in the world. From Maine to the world—and the world back to Maine.
Honoring the Past & Looking Ahead
As Free Appraisal Day celebrates its Golden Anniversary, the tradition continues, reaching an even broader international audience. Through online and virtual appraisal services, consignors from around the world can connect with specialists and submit objects for evaluation online—allowing experts to review items from virtually anywhere.
For fifty years, museum-quality objects discovered in barns, early American brown furniture passed down through generations, and unusual artifacts from around the world have all crossed the appraisal table in Thomaston Maine, and many continuing on to the auction block. For Kaja Veilleux and the specialists at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, each Tuesday still holds the promise of a remarkable new discovery.
The auction house is now accepting consignments for its upcoming sales, including a specialty jewelry auction on Friday, April 24, and the highly anticipated Summer Splendor Auction on June 26, 27 and 28.
Consignment deadline for Summer Splendor is April 17.
Learn more about consignment at: https://www.thomastonauction.com/consign
For all other inquiries, please contact us.