Theriault's Summer 2024 Doll Auction Brochure

Monday

July 22, 2024

At the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt, Kansas City, MO

Preview 9AM CDT • Auction Begins at 11AM CDT

“HOPE’S GENTLE GEM” A CATALOGED MARQUIS AUCTION OF THE COLLECTION OF RUTH NIEVERGELT OF WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND

The Ruth Nievergelt Private Collection of exemplary French bébés and poupées, along with the rarest of German bisque art characters, chosen with meticulous and patient care over several decades, and beautifully exhibited and preserved in her Winterthur, Switzerland home, will be highlighted at this important annual auction event by Theriault’s. In a remembrance letter of her collecting years, Ruth Nievergelt wrote “It was the faces, it was always the faces!” that inspired her in

“The blue and bright-eyed floweret of the brook, Hope’s gentle gem the sweet Forget-me-not.”

– Samuel Taylor Coleridge

a choice of doll. Avowing that each face must “speak to her”, a concept that most collectors will understand, she also strove in the quest to find different models and different faces, and, in the end, created a fascinating mélange of faces that portrayed both beauty and humility, smiling and wistful, dreamy and regal. It is, in sum, a masterful collection.

The dolls will be presented in award-winning displays on the day of the auction, and you are welcome to visit, to view and to bid. If you cannot attend, you can view, listen and bid at the auction online. Telephone and absentee bidding are also welcomed. For more information visit Theriaults.com or call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 9AM-6 PM EST.

A beautiful full-color book of the collection is available for $69 including 2-day shipping. Or visit www.theriaults.com and click on Issuu Catalogs for a digital view of the catalog. And before the auction visit Vignette Video Series at Theriaults.com to see Florence Theriault discuss and show featured dolls from the collection. x

“ Faces are everything! … if once that certain expression on a doll’s face took my eye, nothing could put it out of my mind, and I waited for a long time, until I could bring home just such an example or even that very doll, when it turned up again at a later sale.”

-Ruth Nievergelt

“ I fell in love one day with a smiling face of a German bisque doll looking at me from a shop window…and I have not yet recovered.” -Ruth Nievergelt

THE CATALOG BOOK“HOPE’S GENTLE GEM” THE NIEVERGELT COLLECTION

Order this important catalog today for bidding purposes or your ongoing research library. Over 192 pages of full-color photographs and read the historical descriptions of these rare dolls and playthings. The catalog price includes two-day priority shipping to you, and after-auction price results. $69. Call 410-224-3655.

“ Some years ago, in an auction catalogue, I spotted my dream doll…Yet because I expected the doll to go far too high, I decided not to bid. Afterwards I realized that I could have afforded her. I cannot say how greatly I regretted not having tried and, looking at her photo with a weeping eye, I knew I would always remember this treasure I left behind.”

-Ruth

Nievergelt

“ I have always been aware that my ownership is temporal, and one day my dolls will pass into other hands. It is my wish that now they are offered at a Theriault’s auction, and those who become the new “parents” of my dolls will love and cherish them as I have done for many years.”

-Ruth Nievergelt

“ I was fascinated with the realistic features of the laughing, crying, pensive or pouty children’s faces of the German characters, and I was even more enthralled by the beauty of the idealized French bébés.”

-Ruth Nievergelt

“ On a trip to London, wandering through the Portobello antique market, I saw, for the first time, an early papier-mache doll with an extravagant Biedermeier coiffure. She had loops extending under the ears, exposing them and going back up into a braided bun.”

-Ruth Nievergelt

Left: Exceptional French wooden Poupée Royale, the court doll identified as La Princess de Lamballe is featured in two pages of Les Poupées Royale by François Theimer.

BEFORE THE AUCTION —

HOW TO PREVIEW THE DOLLS FROM THE “HOPE’S GENTLE GEM” MARQUIS DOLL AUCTION

x Order your catalog and study in the comfort of your living room.

x Public Preview July 22 from 9AM-11AM CST immediately preceding that day’s auction.

x Visit www.theriaults.com and link to Theriault’s YouTube Channel for a video presentation of many of the dolls by Florence Theriault.

x Visit www.theriaults.com and link to ISSUU to view a digital copy of the catalog.

x Visit www.theriaults.com and link to “Auctions” to see each doll in the catalog.

x Call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 and make an appointment for a private video viewing of your preferred dolls.

“ In July 2003 a wish came true. My husband and I attended the UFDC Convention and Theriault’s auction in New Orleans. An exciting week and an unforgettable experience!”

-Ruth Nievergelt

A rare set of Kathe Kruse miniature dolls representing storybook figures of Struwwelpeter and fellow characters. Each about 4 ½”, the wonderfully characterized dolls were created by Kathe Kruse based upon the German storybook of Heinrich Hoffman, and are presented at the auction in their original hand-colored box, each in original costume. Ex-Collection Marianne Bodmer.

Dollmastery Vignette Series

The history of dolls as told through the fabrics and styles of the clothes they wore, from gowns and dresses to bonnets, shoes, and accessories, is told in this specialty catalogued auction of antique doll costumes and accessories from the Nancy Smith and Rosalie Whyel Collections. The collection features over 300 lots, some comprising complete ensembles, other being notable individual pieces ranging from exquisite gowns and dresses to rare signed shoes, Paris

After July 6th, watch for new videos featuring rare dolls from the July 22, 2024 auction to be sold at the Marquis Auction Event at the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt, Kansas City, MO.

Above: Handstitched Leather Dolls, c. 1840, Unknown Maker

Left: Miss Mary, c. 1861, Izannah Walker, American

COMING TO KANSAS CITY?

BE SURE TO VISIT

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES!

Take a stroll through 300 years of history (c. 1690 – 2024) by visiting the Museum’s Doll Gallery. The new installation of this exhibit includes visitor favorites alongside numerous recent acquisitions.

JUNE

29, 2024 – MAY 3, 2025

Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff

This exhibition explores themes of race, gender, and identity through 135 handmade Black dolls dating from around 1850 to 1940 as well as almost 60 period photographs and paintings depicting dolls posed alongside both children and adults.

Dolls from the Deborah Neff Collection, 19th century, Makers Unknown, United States; Photography by Ellen McDermott Photography, New York

Right: Black Character Doll, c. 1925, Martha Chase, American

Overwhelmed?

Moving to a smaller home? Faced with handling a family estate? Or just deciding to downsize your collection.

Collectors tell us the word that most describes their feeling is “overwhelmed”.

Not to worry. For more than 50 years, Theriault’s has been the “little engine that could” in helping collectors and families accomplish that task effortlessly.

We listen to you. We evaluate your dolls and lay out a plan to accomplish your goals. And then, if you agree, we do all the work.

Our full-time professional staff travels to your home, inventories your property, carefully packs and transports in our own secure vehicles, prepares and markets your dolls for auction, and presents them to collectors worldwide whose trust in Theriault’s is borne out by the prices they are willing to bid.

You just sit back and breathe a sigh of relief.

Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriault’s,

is traveling throughout the country now, visiting with collectors by appointment. If you have questions or would like to schedule a noobligation complimentary appointment, call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com.

Call 410-224-3655 to schedule a no-obligation appointment.

MARQUIS ANTIQUE DOLL AUCTION THERIAULT’S GALLERY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

Highlighted by the esteemed estate collection of Juanita Dickson of San Rafael, California. A very private collector, Mrs. Dickson acquired an exceptional selection of antique dolls for more than a quarter century, and all are being presented at this two-day catalogued Marquis auction. Along with a fine collection of antique dollhouses, doll rooms and miniature furniture including the very rare Mystery House shown here, whose provenance traces through the celebrated collections of Jean Schramm and Ann Meehan. Along with the Schoenhut Toy

Milk Wagon collection of John Gulino, author of An Illustrated Guide to Toy Milk Wagons x

Madame Alexander The Legend Continues

MARQUIS DOLL AUCTION

THERIAULT’S GALLERY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

Now passing their centennial beginning, the dolls created by the legendary American firm of Madame Alexander have taken their rightful place in the canons of doll history. From harbingers of fashion to folklore fantasy to childhood nostalgia are the treasures presented by this firm over the past century. Theriault’s is pleased to present a fine Marquis auction of Madame Alexander dolls from the Golden Years of the firm, 1940-1965. x

Just Published! Cissy Two, Updated Cissy Files by Kiley Ruwe Shaw. An indispensable study of the classic Cissy doll by Alexander, a must for every serious collector. 265 pages. Order directly from the author at www.CissyBook.com.

MARQUIS DOLL AUCTION THERIAULT’S GALLERY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

Sometimes there are dolls that seem to only reside in your imagination. The dolls of dreams, the dolls of fantasy. There are times that we wonder if they ever existed, or are they just a resident of Neverland. Your dreams may come true with “Barbie in Neverland”, with over 300 lots of Barbie, friends, and costumes that will include rare, unusual and never-before seen examples of the world’s most famous doll, 19591980. This auction will offer an opportunity to bring a doll home from Neverland. x

Bidding Is Easy At Theriault’s

Every Theriault’s auction brims with new discoveries for your collection. So why not join in on the bidding fun? It’s easy. Choose your favorite way to bid and prioritize your choices.

Bid Live on the Internet

Plan to spend the day at the auction in the comfort of your home. Watch and listen to the auction live, and get ready to bid live when the dolls of your choice come up for auction.

Bid on the Telephone

Choose your dolls, and then call our office to make a reservation for telephone bidding. We call you when your dolls of choice come up for bidding, and you bid just as though you were there.

Bid Absentee

Place your bids right up to the time of auction by mail, fax, email or phone. Advise us of the lots and your top bid. We will bid for you fairly and competitively.

We Can Answer All Your Questions

Call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com and we’ll review all the details and help you choose the option that’s best for you. We also now offer scheduled private video previews.

Theriault’s President and Head Auctioneer, Stuart Holbrook

Featuring educational videos about antique dolls, up-to-date doll news, and great resources.

Theriaults.com always has something new, with great information and highlights in a clean and simple place to discover them.

Explore our upcoming auctions, stunning doll photography, and invaluable resources for collectors. All in one easy-to-navigate website. Go to

2024 Calendar of Dolls

Featuring beautiful antique dolls from the Rosalie Whyel Museum. Sixteen full-color photographs featuring gorgeous antique dolls. 24” x 12”. $22.

Subscribe Now to Theriault’s Award Winning Catalogs for fabulous savings and the assurance that the catalog you want will never be “sold out”. On a ten issue subscription, the individual catalogs are only $29.90 – that’s a whopping 60% savings!

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Order Form for Doll Auction Catalogs

❒ “Hope’s Gentle Gem” Marquis Auction Catalog Featuring the Ruth Nievergelt Collection — At the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt, Kansas City, MO. - July 22, 2024. Over 175 pages. Softbound. $69.

❒ Five-Issue Subscription

Receive the next five doll auction catalogs at a 55% reduction of single-issue price. US: $229. Canada: $239. International: $299 *Maryland residents add 6% sales tax.

❒ Ten-Issue Subscription

Receive the next ten doll auction catalogs at a 60% reduction of single-issue price. US: $329. Canada: $459. International: $499 *Maryland residents add 6% sales tax.

❒ Twenty-Issue Subscription

Receive the next twenty doll auction catalogs at a 65% reduction of single-issue price. US: $599. Canada: $679. International: $879.*Maryland residents add 6% sales tax.

AUCTION SCHEDULE

MONDAY July 22, 2024

“Hope’s Gentle Gem”

9:00 AM CDT. Preview. 11:00 AM CDT. Auction.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

There will be two small buses beginning at 8:30am until 12:30pm. Buses will pick-up at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City (UFDC Location) and drop off at the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt (Theriault’s Location.) Buses will resume from 5:00pm – 9:00pm.

We welcome absentee bidding, live telephone bidding, and live bidding on the internet. Too, you can “tune-in” to the online auction and watch and listen to the entire event. Questions? Give us a call and we’ll help you choose the bidding option that is best for you.

Auction Information

The auctions will take place at the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt, 1228 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105. For auction info call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 M-F 9AM-5PM ET or go online to theriaults.com. Email queries to info@theriaults.com.

To order the auction catalog for

call

or visit