Auction catalog from a landmark auction of fine antique and vintage dolls. The auction was held in March 2008. Prices realized are included.

Auction description:

It was 1980 when Theriaults presented its first antique doll auction in Scottsdale. 28 years ago! Stuart was just 17 years old and had a full head of hair. Luke was 7, which is why the Oh, I remember you when comments still echo today. Mildred and Vern Seeley always sat front row and center. We sold our first Albert Marque doll there in 1983 for a then-shocking $38,000. In the spirit of that memory, Theriaults once again returns to Scottsdale on March 29 and 30 with Private Collections, the best of the best dolls from discriminating private owners and estates.

During the past three years, Theriaults has been privileged to catalog the extensive and world class collections of Lucy Morgan, Geri Baker, Carole Jean Zvonar, Legoland Museum, Puppen and Spielzeug Museum and Madame Petyt. In so-doing we have realized the singular vision that frames each collection, whether achieved knowingly or unknowingly. But we also realize that vision characterizes the small collection as well as the large, that grand means more than volume, that the tiniest of collections, chosen with precision and clarity, is worthy of the designation world class.

There are the wonderful dolls of the late Joan Hegg of Kankakee, Illinois, the collection of Sandra Hulbert of San Jacinto, California, an extraordinary early collection from the Albright family estate of upstate New York, and several others. Dolls, many bearing their award winning blue ribbons, range from superb French and German bisque rarities, including ten very fine examples of Bru bbs, to early paper mache, wax and porcelain including a signed KPM early bonnet lady.

There are more than 20 rare model Door of Hope dolls, a delightful collection of rare Kewpies and all-bisque characters, rare cloth dolls ranging from early American to Raggedy Ann including several Vollands to 1930s studio, fine French poupes including wooden bodied and several smiling Bru ladies, French automata including a superb portrait Jumeau as drummer, wonderful miniature dolls including several fine original presentation boxes with dolls, a collection of maitresse quality doll furniture, four extensive Schoenhut circuses and a wonderful collection of rare Schoenhut model dolls, other early wooden dolls including five 19th century wooden mannequins and a superb carved Continental doll of the 18th century, and even a beautiful group of very desirable near mint portrait Cissy dolls in rare 1956 costumes by Alexander. More than 350 dolls will grace the runway of the March 29th Private Collections auction.

We invite you to join us at this auction of world class dolls from small fine Private Collections. May it be the happy beginning or continuation of your own personal pursuit of treasures from childhoods past. Vision characterizes the small collection as well as the large, grand means more than volume, and even the tiniest of collections, chosen with precision and clarity, can be worthy of the designation world class. 2008