Auction Waves

Megan Pinette of the Belfast Historical Society & Museum sits down with Elizabeth McLeod for a closer look at a fascinating lot featured in our upcoming Winter Enchantment Auction: an impressive scrimshawed powder horn bearing an image of the Belfast-built three-masted sailing vessel Ivanhoe, and the family record of this storied vessel's captain! 

Additional auction highlights include an exceptionally large and important assemblage of scrimshaw and other notable works within the Marine and Nautical Collection. Together, these offerings present a rare opportunity—anchored by this distinguished powder horn—and underscore Thomaston Place’s long-standing role as trusted stewards of significant Maine maritime relics, as well as its position as a national and international platform for museum-quality material newly entering the market.

The entire Nautical Collection tells a richly layered maritime story, reaffirming the gallery’s commitment to preserving, presenting, and placing important Maine material on the global stage. Read more about this outstanding maritime scrimshawed powder horn and Carving a Captain’s Life—A Unique Family Record of a Maine Seaman Comes to Auction.

About Megan S. Pinette 

Megan, who is originally from New York City, is a graduate of the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, graduating with a B. F. A. in 1975. She moved with her husband, Dennis, to Belfast in 1983. Here they established a custom picture framing business and were both involved with the burgeoning art gallery scene in both Belfast and Rockland through the 1980s and 90s. She is currently President of the Belfast Historical Society and Museum and serves as curator of the Belfast Museum. She has been active with the historical society for the past twenty years and worked on such projects as “The Museum in the Streets” — the thirty interpretive panels set along the waterfront, downtown and residential streets, the two architectural and history walking tours, creation of exhibits at the museum, and coordinator of historical society programs held at the Belfast Free Library.

Bid on History

Don’t miss your chance to own this outstanding work, plus an extraordinary presentation of scrimshaw during our Winter Enchantment Auction on February 21st, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM EST.

Phone bidding and in-person registration are limited—secure your spot by calling 207-354-8141 or submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For bidding information, visit our How to Bid page, or contact us with any questions or inquiries.

To gain early access and for information on other highlights, call 207-354-8141 to connect with us directly. Subscribe to stay informed on future announcements and the release of the full catalog.

In this special year-end edition Elizabeth McLeod recaps the highlights of each of the ten auctions conducted at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries over the year past, and looks ahead to the coming 2026 auction season!

From rare coins to classic cars, and fine timepieces to landmark works of fine art, historic Americana, and headline-making estates—including  Brooke Astor, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Herb Belkin—this episode revisits the standout moments from a remarkable auction year.

Highlights include record-setting results, unexpected discoveries, and memorable bidding moments—from a legendary 1895 Morgan silver dollar and a royal Ottoman pocket watch, to important works by Andrew Wyeth, Ram Kumar, Dahlov Ipcar (including Chickens in the Garden and Antelope Mandala), and  James Fitzgerald. 

The episode also explores the discovery of a previously unknown verso image on a Fitzgerald work ("Two Dories", CR# 1354, Second image verso, "Island Women" CR# 1353) and the collaborative scholarship undertaken between Thomaston Place Auction Galleries and the Mohegan Museum and Fitzgerald Legacy, offering listeners a rare view into the research and stewardship behind significant works of art. Listen to the episode and read the full story.

Inviting Collectors

Collectors take note: listeners can look forward to more important works by Dahlov Ipcar and James Fitzgerald in the coming year, as Thomaston Place Auction Galleries continues its commitment to stewarding important Maine artists. The 2026 season will also feature important works by artists with strong Maine connections, including Imero Gobbato, Everett Shinn, and William Thon, alongside nationally and internationally renowned artists.

No matter how you look at it, 2025 was a year to remember—and in this celebratory episode of Auction Waves, Elizabeth takes listeners on a richly detailed journey through an extraordinary auction season.

In addition to fine art, the year brought notable results in jewelry, furniture, memorabilia, and even a classic Mercedes roadster, underscoring the breadth and vitality of the auction program. Throughout the episode, Elizabeth places each sale in context, offering insight into collector enthusiasm, evolving market trends, and the behind-the-scenes rhythm of life at a working auction gallery.

Marking both the close of the auction year and the completion of the first full year of Auction Waves, this episode offers a moment to reflect on what has been accomplished—and to look ahead to what promises to be another compelling auction season.

Elizabeth McLeod and Thomaston Place Auction Galleries jewelry specialist Sylvia Li sit down for a fun and educational review of Sylvia's top five picks in our upcoming Jewelry Auction: The Unreserved Collection and our December 5th sale. From a field guide to spotting Tiffany in the wild to the many shades of aquamarine, it's two gals sitting around talking gems!

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is pleased to present “Jewelry Auction: The Unreserved Collection,” an extraordinary specialty sale featuring 421 pieces of fine jewelry, timepieces, gemstones, and precious-metals—each offered entirely without reserve. As the holiday season approaches, this event provides an unparalleled opportunity for collectors and gift-givers to acquire meaningful, heirloom-quality pieces at remarkable, bidder-driven prices.

Don’t Miss Your Chance 

These rare and exceptional treasures from Maine will be offered on December 5, 2025 11:00 AM EST. Phone bidding and in-person seats are limited—secure today by calling 207-354-8141 or by submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding, visit our How to Bid page, or please contact us directly. 

For all other enquiries, please contact us.

Solved! The Case Of The Mystery Plate! In this special post-auction edition of Auction Waves, Elizabeth McLeod reviews highlights of our just-completed Autumn Majestic Auction and unveils the full story of an enigmatic license plate from 1909 that fascinated our gallery team! Special Guest Expert Alan Young gives us the facts.

In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the research, speculation, and spirited debate that unfolded behind the scenes as our specialists worked to trace the origins of this unusual early-automotive artifact. Elizabeth walks listeners through the clues that first sparked curiosity, the investigative twists that followed, and the moment the puzzle finally clicked into place. Along the way, you’ll also hear about standout results from the Autumn Majestic Auction, from remarkable discoveries to unexpected bidding battles.

Alan Young — a noted license plate collector, historian of early plates and registrations, and member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (learn more at alpca.org) — joins us to explain the surprising history behind this rare 1909 plate. He breaks down why it’s such an unusual surviving example, and what it reveals about the earliest days of American motoring.

For an even deeper dive into the story behind the plate, explore our videos:

 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLDbo5Ww9pA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1yLHYIK_qc&t=6s

Whether you followed the auction live or are just tuning in now, this episode delivers a lively, fact-packed journey through one of the most intriguing mysteries ever to pass through our gallery.

Flag expert and historian James Ferrigan of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) joins Elizabeth McLeod for a fascinating journey through The Glory of Old Glory — America’s most iconic symbol.

Together, they explore a series of early American flags featured in Day 1 of our Autumn Majestic Auction, and Ferrigan shares his expertise in flag design, symbolism, and preservation, revealing the craftsmanship and meaning behind these historic textiles. McLeod offers insight from the auction catalog, highlighting the stories that make each flag not just a collectible, but a living piece of American history.

Whether you are a collector, historian, or simply inspired by the legacy of “Old Glory,” this conversation brings to life the art, history, and enduring pride woven into every star and stripe.

About NAVA

The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) is a membership organization devoted to vexillology, the study of flags. Founded in 1967 by American vexillologist Whitney Smith and others, NAVA’s membership of over 1,100 includes flag scholars, enthusiasts, designers, collectors, conservators, educators, merchants, manufacturers, historians, and hobbyists from nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province — as well as more than 30 other countries worldwide.

To learn more about NAVA and their work in the study of flags, visit nava.org.
You can also find NAVA on social media — @flagstudies on Twitter (X) and Instagram, and on Facebook at facebook.com/nava.org.

Bid on History

Don’t miss your chance to own this extraordinary collection. Rare and historic flags will be offered during day 1 of our Autumn Majestic Auction on November 6, 2025, beginning at 11:00 AM EST.

Phone bidding and in-person registration are limited—secure your spot by calling 207-354-8141 or submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For bidding information, visit our How to Bid page, or contact us directly with any questions or inquiries.

With our Autumn Majestic auction ready to go this week, we bring you a special release of Auction Waves! Elizabeth McLeod and Kaylor Bergman review the procedure and the advantages of phone bidding in this exciting four day auction, and Elizabeth follows clock expert Peter Rioux as he explains the procedure for setting up a two-century-old New England Tall Clock, available for your bids in this auction.

With our Autumn Majestic auction ready to go this week, we bring you a special release of Auction Waves! Elizabeth McLeod and Kaylor Bergman review the procedure and advantages of phone bidding in this exciting four-day auction, and Elizabeth follows clock expert Peter Rioux of Peter Rioux Clock Service in Winterport Maine, as he demonstrates how to set up a two-century-old New England Tall Clock—available for your bids in this very sale.

About Peter Rioux

Based in New England, Peter Rioux Clocks is renowned for its meticulous restoration and preservation of antique timepieces. Peter Rioux, a master horologist, brings decades of experience to every project, combining historical knowledge with precision mechanical expertise. His dedication to authenticity and fine workmanship ensures that each clock not only functions beautifully but also reflects the art and science of its original era.

Our Autumn Majestic collection features 45 exceptional clocks, ranging from JLC Atmos and E. Howard Company Railroad Regulators to ship’s clocks, antique brassworks, and fine woodworks—including Lot 3088, a Rare Maine Paint-Decorated Tall Clock by maker Riley Whiting. Watch the YouTube video here.

Other highlights include Lot 2084 Waltham Mantel Clock, an Early 20th c. Rococo Style Gilt Brass and Glass Clock, and Lot 2066 Howard Wall Clock No. 89 in fine condition—each representing exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design.

These 45 antique clocks will be offered on Day 2 and Day 3 of our Autumn Majestic Auction, headlined by the Rare Paint-Decorated Tall Clock—a remarkable piece that captures the artistry and innovation of early American horology.

It’s Time—To Bid on History

Time is ticking—don’t let these extraordinary works of horological history pass you by. The rare and exceptional woodworks clock, Lot 3088: A Rare Maine Paint-Decorated Tall Clock by maker Riley Whiting, will be offered on Day 3, during our upcoming auction on November 8, 2025, beginning at 11:00 AM EST.

Phone bidding and in-person registrations are limited—secure today by calling 207-354-8141 or by submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding, visit our How to Bid page, or please contact us directly. 

For all other enquiri

Inspired by the remarkable discovery of a hidden second image on the verso of Lot 4380—a work by James Fitzgerald featured in our upcoming Autumn Majestic Auction—Thomaston Auction presents an exclusive conversation between Elizabeth McLeod and Dr. Susan Danly, acclaimed American art historian and Fitzgerald expert.

In this in-depth discussion, Danly—former Senior Chief Curator at the Portland Museum of Art and now Curatorial Consultant for the James Fitzgerald Legacy—guides listeners through Fitzgerald’s story, exploring his creative process, his enduring relationship with Monhegan Island, and the hidden enigma of his rare dual-sided compositions.

About Susan Danly

A specialist in American Art, Susan Danly holds MA and PhD degrees from Brown University. Her curatorial career spans some of the nation’s most respected institutions, including the Portland Museum of Art (2002–2012), where she now serves as Curatorial Consultant for the Fitzgerald Legacy; the Mead Art Museum (1993–2000); the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1988–1993); and the Huntington Library and Art Gallery (1984–1987).

At the Portland Museum of Art, Danly curated a wide range of acclaimed exhibitions devoted to the art and artists of Maine—from three Biennials to thematic shows on historical and contemporary photography, as well as exhibitions of prints and graphics from the museum’s permanent collection. Her major publication, Maine Moderns: Art in Seguinland, 1900–1940 (2011), received awards from the Boston Art Critics Association and the New England Society of New York.

Over the past decade, Danly has continued to shape the conversation around Monhegan Island artists through her scholarship and exhibitions, including Side by Side on Monhegan: The Henri Circle and the American Impressionists (2004), Lynn Drexler, Painter (2008), and The Famous and the Forgotten: Monhegan 1914 (2014). She also co-authored Warner Taylor: Photographing Monhegan, 1912–1958 with Lucia Taylor Miller and currently serves as President of the Board for the Monhegan Artists’ Residency Program.

A Legacy Preserved

Through the stewardship of the James Fitzgerald Legacy at the Monhegan Museum—where Fitzgerald’s house and studio, originally built by Rockwell Kent, are preserved as a National Historic Landmark—Thomaston Auction is honored to serve as steward of this remarkable discovery, offering collectors a rare opportunity to engage directly with a pivotal piece of American art history.

To learn more about the artist’s life and work, visit the James Fitzgerald Legacy. And for information on visiting the island and the museum, explore the Monhegan Museum of Art & History website. 

Experience the Discovery

For an inside look at the moment this hidden composition was revealed, watch Uncovering Hidden Artwork by James Fitzgerald on YouTube. This short film captures the  excitement of discovering Fitzgerald’s double-sided work for the first time.

Bid on History

Don’t miss your chance to own this extraordinary work. 

Contemporary sculptor Harvey Peterson worked in Maine for fifteen years, creating a fascinating series of articulated wooden figures in a unique vernacular style, three of which are featured in our upcoming Autumn Majestic Auction. In this edition of Auction Waves, Harvey Peterson joins Elizabeth McLeod for a vigorous exploration of these works. 

Born in Seattle, Washington, Harvey has spent most of his adult life immersed in the world of art—doing what he loves best: exploring and creating. With both a BFA and MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, he devoted more than two decades to teaching in the Baltimore area, inspiring young artists at the Bryn Mawr and Gilman Schools. In 1997, Harvey relocated to Belfast, Maine, where he established his studio and gallery. Over the years, his work has been showcased in numerous solo exhibitions and represented by leading galleries on both coasts. His finely crafted, evocative sculptures continue to captivate audiences and collectors alike.

In the summer of 2017, the Haynes Gallery in Thomaston, Maine, hosted a remarkable exhibition of his work. The show featured an engaging array of pieces—from full-scale figures to smaller creations including fish decoys, lumberjacks, and bottle whimsies—alongside several striking monoprints from earlier in his career.

We are delighted to present three exceptional sculptures by Harvey Peterson in our upcoming Autumn Majestic auction—each a testament to his imagination, craftsmanship, and enduring influence on contemporary folk art.

For more information on Harvey Peterson and to view additional examples of his work, visit The Davistown Museum’s website. To learn more about the Davis Town Museum, explore their rich archives celebrating the region’s artists, craftsmen, and cultural heritage at the website.

Preview our Upcoming Auction: Autumn Majestic

Join us for a preview of our upcoming feature auction, taking place November 1st — 5th.

• Saturday November 1st: Noon – 5 PM
• Gallery Hours Weekdays: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Private viewings also available by appointment.

Explore our extraordinary auction galleries, showcasing a world of treasures — fine art, rare antiques, exquisite Asian masterpieces, timeless collectibles, classic automobiles, vintage timepieces, and more.

The auction November 6–9, 2025, beginning daily at 11:00 AM EST. Phone and in-person registrations are limited—secure today by calling 207-354-8141 or submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding visit How to Bid, or please contact us directly

Collector and researcher Eric Taylor of porcelainplates.net joins Elizabeth McLeod for a fascinating look at the earliest years of the not-so-humble automobile license plate, and gives his surprising pick as the rarest item in an impressive collection of pre-WWI plates featured in our Autumn Majestic Auction. 

Together, they discuss the early automobilists and uncover how these resilient, hand-crafted porcelain plates emerged as symbols of status, ingenuity, and civic identity in the earliest days of motoring. Eric also highlights several of the most exceptional and elusive examples in an extraordinary lineup of porcelain plates featured on Day Two of our Autumn Majestic auction—selections that may well challenge what collectors think they know about rarity, craftsmanship, and the enduring allure of these early road relics.

Eric’s passion for license plates began early — at just thirteen, when his brother passed along a few used Indiana plates to hang on his wall. That small gesture sparked a lifelong fascination. Soon after, Eric and his father were scouring swap meets across Southern California in search of new finds, a shared pursuit that led them to join the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) in 1986. Their first national convention the following year marked the start of lasting friendships, mentorships, and a deepening commitment to preserving the rich history behind these distinctive automotive artifacts.

To explore more of Eric’s research, historical insights, and wonderful examples from his research, visit porcelainplates.net — a website for porcelain license plate collectors and enthusiasts — and discover the full story behind these remarkable relics of automotive history.

Tune in now for an enlightening and educational conversation that brings automotive history to life—and discover why these early porcelain license plates still matter today. And subscribe so you never miss an episode, and don’t miss your chance to see these rare and beautiful relics of the road up close in our upcoming Autumn Majestic auction.

Preview our Upcoming Auction: Autumn Majestic

Join us for a preview of our upcoming feature auction, taking place November 1st — 5th.

• Saturday November 1st: Noon – 5 PM
• Gallery Hours Weekdays: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Private viewings also available by appointment.

Explore our extraordinary auction galleries, showcasing a world of treasures — fine art, rare antiques, exquisite Asian masterpieces, timeless collectibles, classic automobiles, vintage timepieces, and more.

The auction runs November 6–9, 2025, beginning daily at 11:00 AM EST. Phone bidding and in-person registrations are limited—secure yours today by calling 207-354-8141 or submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding visit How to Bid, or please contact us directly

From East to West, how did remarkable Asian art and antiques find their way to Maine?

In this episode of Auction Waves, Elizabeth McLeod sits down with Chris Timm of the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath to uncover the fascinating journeys behind these treasures. Together, they explore the global networks, maritime stories, and cultural exchanges that shaped this surprising history.

Located on the Kennebec River, the Maine Maritime Museum is a cultural landmark dedicated to preserving and celebrating the state’s rich seafaring heritage. With exhibits spanning shipbuilding, trade, and Maine’s pivotal role in global maritime history, the museum offers visitors a unique perspective on how distant worlds connected through the sea.

Tune in now for an enlightening and educational conversation that brings the past to life—and discover why these artifacts matter today. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and don’t miss your chance to experience rare Asian artifacts firsthand in our upcoming Autumn Majestic auction.

For more information, visit mainemaritimemuseum.org and follow the Maine Maritime Museum on Facebook and Instagram.

Preview our Upcoming Auction: Autumn Majestic

Join us for a preview of our upcoming feature auction, taking place November 1st — 5th.

• Saturday November 1st: Noon – 5 PM
• Weekdays: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Private viewings also available by appointment.

Explore an extraordinary auction house filled with something for everyone including fine art, rare antiques, exquisite Asian art, rare collectibles, and more.

The auction runs November 6–9, 2025, beginning daily at 11:00 AM EST.
 Phone bidding and in-person registrations are limited—secure yours today by calling 207-354-8141 or submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding visit How to Bid, or please contact us directly