From Attic to Auction Block: Can Maine Repeat Its Rembrandt Discovery?

After delivering the most valuable painting in Maine's auction history, Thomaston Place returns with a new slate of treasures and untold stories.

THOMASTON, Maine, Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Last summer, an unassuming portrait pulled from a Camden attic made international headlines when it sold for $1.4 million — later linked to Rembrandt Van Rijn. That sale at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries marked a cultural turning point: Maine had arrived on the global art stage.

Now, exactly one year later, Thomaston Place invites collectors and media to Summer Grandeur 2025 (August 28th to 31st), a follow-up event steeped in anticipation, discovery, and the question echoing across the art world: "What will Maine uncover next?" Rather than relying on a single marquee lot, this year's auction is a cross-section of fine art, luxury collectibles, and historic estates, each with the potential to surprise.

Highlights Include:

• Andy Warhol screenprint editions
• Works by N.C., Andrew, Jamie Wyeth, and other American masters
• Old Master paintings, including works attributed to Frans Hals and a follower of Sir Anthony van Dyck
• 1956 Ford Thunderbird, luxury timepieces, and an iconic Hermès Birkin bag
• Historic powder horns spanning Pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary eras
• Maritime artifacts, rare American antiques, and items still under research

"Lightning doesn't just strike once," said Kaja Veilleux, founder and auctioneer at Thomaston Place. "After the Rembrandt, collectors started looking at us differently. This year, we've uncovered another spectacular group of items — and we're not ruling out a few surprises." "This year isn't about chasing a price tag. It's about the thrill of discovery, the depth of quality, and the stories we're still uncovering."

Veilleux, known for uncovering "sleepers" that later turned out to be museum-worthy discoveries, says this year's auction has similar signs — works with intriguing provenance, unsigned mysteries, and pieces undervalued by the market.

Summer Grandeur is becoming more than an auction — it's a summer cultural event. Maine is now drawing interest not just from buyers, but from art historians, curators, dealers, and journalists eager to capture the next chapter in this unfolding narrative.

"Maine isn't just a backdrop — it's the new stage," Veilleux adds. "Our role is to open the curtain and help preserve important works for future generations."

High-resolution images, press materials, and interview opportunities are available upon request.

Reserve Now

Seating in the auction hall is limited and available by reservation only. Phone bidding lines are also capped to ensure fair access. Collectors and media are encouraged to secure their place early to avoid missing out on this landmark event.

To register for in-person seating, phone bidding, or absentee bidding, visit thomastonauction.com or call 207-354-8141

About Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Recognized among the most respected names in the auction industry, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is a trusted full-service auction house based in Thomaston, Maine. Specializing in fine art, antiques, jewelry, rare artifacts, and museum-quality pieces, the gallery is renowned for its expertly orchestrated auctions that attract a global audience of distinguished collectors.

Rooted in a deep appreciation for history and presenting New England's most treasured estates to the world's finest collectors, Thomaston Place brings rare and meaningful works to market—expertly sourced from distinguished private collections. Through in-person, phone, absentee, and online bidding, the auction house connects discerning buyers worldwide with treasures of the past—ensuring that the stories endure and continue to inspire future generations.

SOURCE Thomaston Place Auction Galleries