WHY CHOOSE HERITAGE AUCTIONS?

Joseph “Joe” Maddalena joined Heritage Auctions as Executive Vice President in January 2021 following an unparalleled 35-year track record of success as the founder of Profiles in History, which he built into the world’s largest auctioneer of coveted Hollywood memorabilia and popular culture keepsakes.  Some of the iconic items he brought to market included Luke Skywalker’s light saber, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Indiana Jones’ whip and Peter Fonda’s Easy Rider chopper, along with the 2011 Debbie Reynolds auction that was highlighted by Marilyn Monroe’s Seven Year Itch “subway dress” realizing $5.52 million.  

Born into a family of antiques dealers in Rhode Island, Joe learned early on how to turn his passion for collecting historical autographs into a career.  Upon graduation from Pepperdine, he made the decision to become a full-time dealer of historical documents, and opened his first office in 1985.  Profiles in History now owns virtually every Guinness Book record for prices of original screen-used memorabilia.  Joe is a lifetime member of the Manuscript Society and is widely recognized as the nation’s leading authority on entertainment memorabilia and historical documents.  In addition, he starred for three seasons in Syfy’s Hollywood Treasure, which gave viewers an inside look at the world of showbiz and pop culture memorabilia.  

Joe brings deep and long-lasting relationships with major collectors in a myriad fields, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of multiple categories such as nature and science, rare books and wine. His years of experience in these numerous categories and expansive role at Heritage will allow him to serve clients far more efficiently and effectively than ever.

Don worked as an antique dealer in Ridgefield, Connecticut in the late 1970s  and issued mail auction catalogs of Americana in the late 1990s. He was a founder and president of The Association for the Preservation of Political Americana which operated for close to ten years and has maintained continuous membership in the American Political Items Collectors since 1964. In 1995, he helped found “The Rail Splitter”, a hobbyist organization for Lincoln collectors which issues quarterly journals and periodic auctions. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief.  He has written dozens of articles on American political history and collectibles which have appeared in a variety of publications. He helped organize  three public exhibits:  the Dr. John Lattimer Collection at the Metropolitan Book Exchange 1995, Grant memorabilia at the Re-Dedication of Grant’s Tomb 1997, and the bicentennial “Abraham Lincoln in New York” at Federal Hall.

Mary Kohnke serves as Consignment Director in the Rare Books department at Heritage Auctions, bringing more than 15 years of expertise in rare books, manuscripts, and archival collections. She joined Heritage following an accomplished career as Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (2008–2016), and as the founder of Ex Libris Appraisals, a private appraisal firm specializing in archives and collections of historical significance.

Mary holds a B.A. in Classics from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in Art History from the University of Notre Dame. She is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and is recognized for her rigorous scholarship, research-based approach, and deep understanding of the rare book and manuscript market.

Throughout her career, Mary has worked with a wide range of material—from early printed books and illuminated manuscripts to institutional archives and collections of cultural heritage—helping clients preserve, evaluate, and present important pieces of history.

Growing up in Colorado, Nic Valenzuela started his “rock” collection as a kid while gathering neat looking specimens in his driveway. Now a Consignment Director of Fine Minerals at Heritage, he has turned his interest into a career with more than 10 years in the fine mineral industry. 

Valenzuela started attending events as a teen before developing his own business, Silvermoon Collectibles, selling mineral specimens to the general public online and at fine minerals shows. His favorite piece since joining Heritage is a significant piece of Amazonite and smoky quartz from a well-known find called the "icon pocket" mined from the Smoky Hawk claim in Colorado. A piece recognized by many in the industry, the find was discovered on the TV show " Prospectors" in 2013.

His personal collection of fine minerals has come from specific localities around the world, his favorite being elbaite from San Diego County in California. While his true passion remains the minerals that he documents, researches and admires in his free time, Valenzuela also enjoys collecting trading cards, retro videos games and other collectibles.

An industry leader who joined Heritage as International Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts with 35 years of experience, Francis Wahlgren has handled some of the most important rare books and manuscripts ever sold at auction. He began his career at Christie’s in 1987 as a porter in the books department. During his 27 years with the firm, he rose through the ranks to become Department Head, followed by International Department Head, and finally International Director. 

Since 2018, Wahlgren has acted as an independent consultant in the field, most recently doing work for American Book Prices Current and Hindman Auctions in Chicago. He also has been an auctioneer since 1991, and has appeared regularly as a specialist on Antiques Roadshow since 1995.

Wahlgren’s skills and knowledge have worked to establish an extraordinary track record that further positions Heritage to expand upon its status as a front-runner in the field.