Nick Poulin – President

Nick Poulin – President

Nick was raised in the auction environment, the family business of auctioneering continues on the same premises as his childhood home. His immersion into the industry in the 1980’s began by observing as his grandfather Arthur Julia set the foundation for what would become a prominent international auction business. Nick grew alongside the businesses’ of both his uncle James Julia and his parent’s Steve and Jeannine Poulin. As early as his teenage years Nick began developing the tools of the trade by being a part of day to day operations strongly influenced by family values emphasizing on taking care in handling and marketing consignments honestly and with integrity.

Continued...
“As soon as I had the strength to hold an item I was involved in the family business. I traveled to auctions with my father & grandfather from a very early age. I learned then the fun, excitement, dedication, hard work, the importance of being honest, and the tremendous value in maintaining a sterling reputation for holding our integrity in the highest regard.”

Following his higher education at the University of Maine, Nick returned to the auction company with a vision of new development. As the auction industry is rapidly growing thanks to internet auction platforms, our company is raising our quality of presentation to appeal to an international audience. The developments and improvements he is implementing allow for an increased level of participation from buyers and consignors alike bringing this growing company’s success to new heights.

Outside of the office Nick spends his time with his wife Emily and their four kids, often enjoying Maine’s great outdoors at the lake.

Dave Sanders – Chief Firearms Specialist

Dave Sanders has over 44 years of experience in the firearms industry. He is incredibly knowledgeable in quality American shotguns, Winchesters, Colts & Collectible Sporting firearms. He began his career buying & selling guns in his grandfather’s & father’s hardware store in Nebraska. He is extremely well known in the industry for his honest, kind & forthright approach to his fellow collectors & dealers.

Continued...
Dave helped establish the first Cabela’s Gun Library in Sidney, Nebraska. In 1992 he was hired as the second specialist employee in the Sidney, Nebraska Cabela’s Gun Library. In 2007 he was promoted to the position of Gun Library acquisition manager. He traveled the country purchasing and evaluating collectible firearms to supply all of Cabela’s Gun Libraries.

In 2009 Dave began working with our company as a cataloger of quality sporting arms and a sales representative at major firearms shows across the US. Dave’s incredible knowledge and expertise, as well as his personable approach, have been crucial to our continued growth and development in the firearms auction industry.

Dave is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors. Dave and his wife, Mary Beth can be found together at shows rubbing elbows and making friends. If you see them at a show I encourage you to say hello.

Dave Sanders – Firearms Specialist, Certified Appraiser, Auctioneer & Sales Representative

Robert French – Chief Early American & European Firearm, Militaria & Edged Weapons Specialist

Bob is an extremely knowledgeable and well regarded collector and dealer in Early American & European Firearms, Militaria & Edged Weapons. His expertise also extends into multiple genres including early bottles, buttons, ceramics & much more.

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He began his passion of collecting in 1974 buying swords, military buttons, uniforms & other militaria. In 1977-1984 he served in the US Navy as a Cryptological Technician. After receiving his honorable discharge he attended Roanoke College in Salem, VA graduating with a double major in marketing and finance. In 1994 Bob returned to the collegiate life at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA where he earned another degree with a double major in archeology as well as museum studies. Since 1991, Bob has been a full time dealer and consultant recognized across the country for honesty & an in depth knowledge of a wide variety of early firearms, militaria, & antiques.

Bob began working with our company in 2004 and has cataloged thousands of items with incredible accuracy and integrity. His descriptions and contributions to our company have been instrumental in the development and growth of our business into the international auction house we are today. His fundamental ethical practices of honesty and integrity coincide with the core principles that we have built our company around.

Bob is a member of the The Company of Military Historians,  The New England Antique Arms Society, & Ohio Valley Military Society,.

Bob attends shows across the US regularly with his wife Deanna Daub French. Deanna has worked with Poulin’s since 1999 as an administrative office manager and recently began assisting Bob at shows & consultations.

Robert French–  Early American & European Firearm, Militaria & Edged Weapons Specialist, Cataloger, Independent Consultant & Sales Representative

John Sexton – Civil War Sales Coordinator, Appraiser, & Consultant

I and my entire company are extremely pleased to have an association with John Sexton. Over the years when I and my parents developed the Poulin’s Firearms auction business, I watched very closely and was mentored by my uncle, Jim Julia.

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During his tenure in Fairfield, Maine, Jim was recognized as the leading seller of high end, rare & valuable firearms in the world. Jim’s honesty, his way of doing business, the way he marketed items and dealt with clients; all were revered in the trade and I, long ago, learned to emulate just about everything that he did. One of the keys to Jim’s success I learned early on was to attract some of the best and foremost experts in the firearms trade to vet and catalog all of the goods. Since taking over the Poulin Auction Company, this was one critical thing in my mind and John, indeed, is the foremost expert in Confederate and high-end Civil War items in the world today.

Deep Roots in History: John not only has a tremendous passion for the goods he works with but he is steeped in the history of those items. He grew up in the South and as a young man, he was regaled by his grandfather, Francis Grier, with stories of the Civil War. He recalls his grandfather talking about his grandfather who worked making Confederate pistols

Education: John received an excellent education at LSU majoring in Chemistry. However, during his college years, to pay for his education, he spent a great deal of time digging Civil War relics. After college, because he was so passionate about Civil War items, he elected to focus on that as his life vocation and has ever since dealt in antiques with a focus on Confederate and Civil War items, John is also gifted with extraordinary knowledge on all manners of early military weapons and also very familiar & knowledgeable about later weaponry and military objects.

Honesty: John is not only knowledgeable but also has an extraordinary reputation for honesty. Indeed, one of the things I recall my Uncle Jim sharing with me in years past was that John was impeccably honest. So much so, that on occasion, someone would find fault with him because he would describe and appraise something for what it was, not for what someone wanted him to say. John has a reputation for saying things as they are; if it is bad, he will say it. If it is altered or restored, he will say it. And if it is outstanding, he will say it. Collectors and institutions all over North America value and reply on his honest advice and input.

Sales Experience: John has single-handedly sold, brokered, appraised, vetted, and/or cataloged over $150 million dollars of rare Confederate and Civil War items throughout his lifetime. Most certainly, more than any other individual in history. Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to amass expertise and based on his concept alone, can account for John’s vast and superior knowledge.

Special Comprehensive Private Database: Over the years, John as developed his own private database of serial numbers, characteristics, and sales for valuable Confederate and Civil War items which include auction sales, his private sales, and any other notable private sales he is aware of. This unique database of is of great importance in providing history and provenance.

Appraisals: One of the primary focuses in John’s business model has been his appraisal and authentication service. He is a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property holding the ISA-CAPP designation with the International Society of Appraisers.  He is also Accredited Senior Appraiser with American Society of Appraisers (ASA). In this capacity, John has prepared and provided written appraisals for some of the most significant Estates and collections in the country and regularly worked with nearly all the most advanced collectors in Confederate and Civil War, as well as, nearly all of the most important institutions holding collections of the same.

Ivory Certification: In addition to his appraisal services, John has developed great expertise in matters concerning ivory and is one of the few appraisers that I know of today who provides fully detailed letters of certification concerning antique ivory objects that are legal to sell.

Author: John co-authored the book “Confederate Bowie Knives”, published by Man at Arms in 2012. In addition, he also writes a monthly column for several antique publications and has done so for over 10 years now under the heading of “Ask the Civil War Appraiser” and “Ask the Civil War Collector”

Past Auction Experience: John had spent the last 15 years advising, consulting, cataloging, and appraising items for the James D. Julia Auction Company, which he was associated with before coming to work for our company. While working with my Uncle Jim, John helped to generate record sale results in many different niches of Civil War items. He also cataloged many of the most notable Civil War Collections to come to auction including the extraordinary Collection of Confederate Pistols of Don & Kathlee Bryan, which established many world records and was an absolutely extraordinary success.

Antiques Road Show: John was an appraiser of Arms and Armor on the well-known PBS Antiques Road Show program from 1998-2000.

Supporter of Many Collecting Associations: John is a life member of many gun, knife and Civil War associations.

Over the years, I watched John’s association with the Julia Auction Company grow their Civil War division into the largest and most successful seller of high-end, rare and valuable Civil War and Confederate objects. This is indeed my goal, as well as John’s, going forward with the Poulin Auction Company. John and I mutually wish to offer our consignors of quality Civil War and Confederate items the very best terms and service in the industry, to provide the greatest expertise with the most honest descriptions and representation possible for all the Confederate and Civil War items that we offer. In so doing, Poulin Auction Company, together with the expertise of John Sexton is to make our company THE go to place for important Civil War and Confederate items and collections now and in the future. We feel we have the best formula for success of your rare and valuable Confederate and Civil War items and hope that anyone considering selling these types of items will be sure to contact us to at least receive our proposal. In return, you can expect honesty, expertise, some of the finest terms in the industry, and one of the hardest working organizations available for marketing your rare and valuable items. We look forward with great enthusiasm to working with you in the future.

John Sexton – Civil War Sales Coordinator, Appraiser, and Consultant

Jeff Zimba – Firearms Consultant

Jeff Zimba – Firearms Consultant

Malcolm MacGregor – Firearms Consultant

Malcolm MacGregor – Firearms Consultant

Neil Whitcomb – Firearms Specialist

Neil purchased his first firearm in 1963. From that point forward his passion for firearms grew and so did his incredible knowledge for contemporary firearms and gunsmithing.

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Neil graduated from Thomas College in Waterville , ME in 1970 with a BS in education. After his 25 year tenure at Cony High School he retired and focused on his collecting, gunsmithing, and family. In 1972 Neil also received his master electrician’s license. In 1975 Neil began attending firearm shows and started the Oakland Gun Shop which provided gunsmithing services and firearm sales.

In 2007 Neil began cataloging collectible modern firearms for our auctions. Neil has cataloged thousands of firearms for our company over the years and is versatile in multiple genres.

Neil is now a benefactor member of the NRA after joining in 1970. He is a life member of the Sportsman Alliance of ME and founding member of the Ruger Owners & Collectors Association (ROCS) . In 1977 he became a member of the Ruger Collector Association (RCA).

Neil lives with his wife Ellen in Fairfield, ME and has two married adult daughters and grandchildren.

Neil Whitcomb – Firearms Specialist

Ralph Wood – Firearms Specialist
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Ralph Wood – Firearms Specialist

Katya Tilton – Sales Coordinator

Katya Tilton – Sales Coordinator

Ben Higgins – Sales Coordinator

Ben Higgins – Sales Coordinator

Jackie Julia – General Manager

Jackie Julie – General Manager

Nick Poulin – COO, Firearm Sales Coordinator

Nick was raised in the auction environment, the family business of auctioneering continues on the same premises as his childhood home. His immersion into the industry in the 1980’s began by observing as his grandfather Authur Julia set the foundation for what would become a prominent international auction business. Nick grew alongside the businesses’ of both his uncle James Julia and his parent’s Steve and Jeannine Poulin. As early as his teenage years Nick began developing the tools of the trade by being a part of day to day operations strongly influenced by family values emphasizing on taking care in handling and marketing consignments honestly and with integrity.

Continued...
“As soon as I had the strength to hold an item I was involved in the family business. I traveled to auctions with my father & grandfather from a very early age. I learned then the fun, excitement, dedication, hard work, the importance of being honest, and the tremendous value in maintaining a sterling reputation for holding our integrity in the highest regard.”

Following his higher education at the University of Maine, Nick returned to the auction company with a vision of new development. As the auction industry is rapidly growing thanks to internet auction platforms, our company is raising our quality of presentation to appeal to an international audience. The developments and improvements he is implementing allow for an increased level of participation from buyers and consignors alike bringing this growing company’s success to new heights.

Outside of the office Nick spends his time with his wife Emily and their four kids, often enjoying Maine’s great outdoors at the lake.

Dave Sanders – Chief Firearms Specialist

Dave Sanders has over 44 years of experience in the firearms industry. He is incredibly knowledgeable in quality American shotguns, Winchesters, Colts & Collectible Sporting firearms. He began his career buying & selling guns in his grandfather’s & father’s hardware store in Nebraska. He is extremely well known in the industry for his honest, kind & forthright approach to his fellow collectors & dealers.

Continued...
Dave helped establish the first Cabela’s Gun Library in Sidney, Nebraska. In 1992 he was hired as the second specialist employee in the Sidney, Nebraska Cabela’s Gun Library. In 2007 he was promoted to the position of Gun Library acquisition manager. He traveled the country purchasing and evaluating collectible firearms to supply all of Cabela’s Gun Libraries.

In 2009 Dave began working with our company as a cataloger of quality sporting arms and a sales representative at major firearms shows across the US. Dave’s incredible knowledge and expertise, as well as his personable approach, have been crucial to our continued growth and development in the firearms auction industry.

Dave is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors. Dave and his wife, Mary Beth can be found together at shows rubbing elbows and making friends. If you see them at a show I encourage you to say hello.

Robert French – Chief Early American & European Firearm, Militaria & Edged Weapons Specialist

Bob is an extremely knowledgeable and well regarded collector and dealer in Early American & European Firearms, Militaria & Edged Weapons. His expertise also extends into multiple genres including early bottles, buttons, ceramics & much more.

Continued...
He began his passion of collecting in 1974 buying swords, military buttons, uniforms & other militaria. In 1977-1984 he served in the US Navy as a Cryptological Technician. After receiving his honorable discharge he attended Roanoke College in Salem, VA graduating with a double major in marketing and finance. In 1994 Bob returned to the collegiate life at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA where he earned another degree with a double major in archeology as well as museum studies. Since 1991, Bob has been a full time dealer and consultant recognized across the country for honesty & an in depth knowledge of a wide variety of early firearms, militaria, & antiques.

Bob began working with our company in 2004 and has cataloged thousands of items with incredible accuracy and integrity. His descriptions and contributions to our company have been instrumental in the development and growth of our business into the international auction house we are today. His fundamental ethical practices of honesty and integrity coincide with the core principles that we have built our company around.

Bob is a member of the The Company of Military Historians,  The New England Antique Arms Society, & Ohio Valley Military Society,.

Bob attends shows across the US regularly with his wife Deanna Daub French. Deanna has worked with Poulin’s since 1999 as an administrative office manager and recently began assisting Bob at shows & consultations.

Jeff Zimba – Firearms Consultant

Malcolm MacGregor – Firearms Consultant

Neil Whitcomb – Firearms Specialist

Neil purchased his first firearm in 1963. From that point forward his passion for firearms grew and so did his incredible knowledge for contemporary firearms and gunsmithing.

Continued...
Neil graduated from Thomas College in Waterville , ME in 1970 with a BS in education. After his 25 year tenure at Cony High School he retired and focused on his collecting, gunsmithing, and family. In 1972 Neil also received his master electrician’s license. In 1975 Neil began attending firearm shows and started the Oakland Gun Shop which provided gunsmithing services and firearm sales.

In 2007 Neil began cataloging collectible modern firearms for our auctions. Neil has cataloged thousands of firearms for our company over the years and is versatile in multiple genres.

Neil is now a benefactor member of the NRA after joining in 1970. He is a life member of the Sportsman Alliance of ME and founding member of the Ruger Owners & Collectors Association (ROCS) . In 1977 he became a member of the Ruger Collector Association (RCA).

Neil lives with his wife Ellen in Fairfield, ME and has two married adult daughters and grandchildren.

Ralph Wood – Firearms Specialist
Continued...

Katya Tilton – Sales Coordinator

Ben Higgins – Sales Coordinator

Jackie Julia – General Manager