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MARCH 12-13, 2022 AT THERIAULT’S GALLERY IN ANNAPOLIS, MD x AUCTION 11AM EASTERN BOTH DAYS
The Vintage Barbie Collection of Thomas Romanotto More than 500 very rare dolls, costumes and accessories, gift sets, and ephemera including cars, planes, and boats, dollhouses, and furnishings. Live video/ audio auction, with live internet bidding. Print Catalog available for $59.
Saturday, March 26, 2022 The Betsy McCall Collection of Marci Van Ausdall and Other 1950s Dolls Live video/ audio auction, with live internet bidding. Online catalog only.
Saturday, April 9, 2022 The Vintage Dolls of Madame Alexander featuring the Judith Merrill Collection
the dollmasters PO Box 151 • Annapolis, Maryland 21404 Tel: 410-224-3655 • Fax: 410-224-2515 Follow @theriaultsdolls • theriaults.com
At Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. In-person attendance welcome. Live internet bidding, too. Print catalog available for $49.
It’s Mid-Century Month at Theriault’s By the 1950s, the American doll industry had grown from the small home workshops of the late 1800s to an important marketplace. The most successful firms depended upon a clever balance of new innovative materials with a sophisticated sense of fashion. The better the balance, the more successful the firms. Three of these firms were Mattel with its family of Barbie dolls, Madame Alexander with her family of Wendy-kins and Cissy, and American Character with its Betsy McCall line. It is the dolls from these firms, now more than half a century old, that are honored in Theriault’s Mid-Century Month.
Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, 2022. The Vintage Barbie Collection of Thomas Romanotto Live video/audio auction, with live internet bidding. Print Catalog available for $59.
Saturday, March 26, 2022. The Betsy McCall Collection of Marci Van Ausdall and Other 1950s Dolls
Saturday, April 9, 2022. The Vintage Dolls of Madame Alexander featuring the Judith Merrill Collection
Live video/audio auction, with live internet bidding. Online catalog only.
At Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland In-person attendance welcome. Live internet bidding, too. Print catalog available for $49.
The dolls for each auction can be seen two weeks prior to each auction at www.theriaults.com. Click on the button for “Bid Online” and choose your auction.
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x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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Saturday and Sunday,
March 12-13, 2022
at Theriault’s Studio in Annapolis, Maryland The Auction Begins at 11AM Eastern Both Days
“VINTAGE BARBIE” THE CATALOGUED AUCTION OF THE THOMAS ROMANOTTO COLLECTION
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ith a fascination of fashion and an eye for evolving hair fashions (he, himself, after all, owned a prestigious hair salon near Sacramento, California), Tom Romanotto began his quest for the rare and unusual Barbie in her early days. His collection, beginning with the 1959 #1 Barbie sweeps through the next decade with a grand flourish which makes dramatically clear the social and fashion changes that took place in a mere ten years. The sweet soda-shop ponytail Barbie of the late 50s became, seemingly overnight, the miniskirted, cropped shaggy hair teen of the 60s. The elegant ladies-do-lunch dolls of the beginning years, in a mere snap or two of the finger, evolved into flamboyantly dressed and tressed Mod dolls of the 60s. Each era of doll reflected its time. Dolls are historical evidence, indeed. The shockingly real-life rapid social and fashion changes that took place during this decade are evident in the remarkable Romanotto Collection of Vintage Barbies. Hundreds of amazing dolls parade onto the runway, each impeccably garbed in complete ensembles, with all accessories in place. Virtually every model is included in the collection, which also abounds in Exclusive Gift Sets for Sears and J.C. Penney, exclusive fashions for the Japanese and European markets, and
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costumes in rare documented variations of fabric or trim. Every member of Barbie’s family is included, and, oh the accessories and ephemera, including a wonderful collection of Irwin “Planes, Boats and Automobiles” which Tom Romanotto wrote about in an article for Barbie Bazaar. The collector generously shared his collection with others, writing many other articles for Barbie Bazaar, such as those which featured “Julia”, “Twiggy”, and “Pop Art Fashion”. And in 1998 he produced
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“The Fabulous Vintage Fashion Show” with “over 60 minutes of music, action and narration…featuring over 200 vintage Barbie doll fashions from 1959 through 1972” from his own collection. A gorgeous 250 page full color catalog of the collection written by Florence Theriault, in consultation with Bradley Justice Yarbrough, internationally known Barbie expert, is available for $59 including priority shipping and afterauction prices. Call 410-224-3655 to order, or order online at www.theriaults.com.
x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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The Romanotto Collection of Vintage Barbie will be presented in a two day auction, on Saturday and Sunday, March and 12 and 13 in a virtual live video/ audio auction to which all are invited. Internet bidding (both pre-bidding and live) is available throughout the auction, as well as traditional absentee bids and live telephone bidding. The auction is available for viewing online now. Visit www.theriaults.com and click on “bid online” to access the site. And a digital copy of the print catalog is also available online. Visit www.theriaults.com and click the button for Issuu to access that. And always, we at Theriault’s encourage the personal touch. Just call us and we’re here to answer any questions you might have on the dolls, how to bid, and how to access the auction. You can request livevideo Face2 preview of your favorite dolls, too! x
x For more information visit Theriaults.com
or call 410-224-3655 x
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Live internet, telephone, and absentee bidding are available at Theriaults.com.
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Get Close-Up and Personal with Your Favorite Dolls from Theriault’s Face2Live is Theriault’s new service that allows you to view on live video feed close-ups of a few dolls you are most interested in. Call 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com to schedule an appointment. Then simply go to theriaults.com and click the handy button on the side of the main page. From there you will be connected to one of our staff on video chat (you do not have to be on video yourself) who can either get the doll you are interested in right then or schedule an appointment with you later. A great way to get a close up look of features and face in a live private video session. Available Monday through Friday 9AM-4PM Eastern.
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x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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Barbie Dolls for the Japanese Market in the Romanotto Collection
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special collecting niche for Barbie collectors are those dolls and costumes made for the Japanese market. To find even one is, as one collector said, “a Eureka moment!” The Romanotto Collection contains 14 examples of these special treasures.
When Mattel began its development of the Barbie doll in the late 1950s it turned to its production contacts in Japan. This was not a simple task. The company realized they were about to present a fairly radical doll to young girls, and thus, insisted on top quality in its production, artistry and costumes. Each detail must be perfect. And costumes were vetted, over and over again, for use of fabrics, detail of design, and use of accessories. This led to the creation of some costume and fabric variations that were presented, but in the final stage not accepted, for the American market. Some were then made for the Japanese market, and others were preserved as prototype samples. Few of these costumes ever surfaced in the United States until recent years. Here is a pictorial tour of examples in the Romanotto Collection to be auctioned on March 12 and 13. x
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x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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THE BETSY MCCALL COLLECTION OF MARCI VAN AUSDALL
At Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. 11AM Auction Begins.
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ollections are rooted in memory. Sometimes it is a deep-rooted historical sense of how things were once, long ago, and sometimes it is simply nostalgia for one’s own childhood past. It was this nostalgia for her own childhood that set Marci Van Ausdall on the quest for Betsy McCall mid-century dolls, and it was the study of these acquired dolls that inspired her to write the significant research book. Betsy McCall, A Collector’s Guide (Hobby House Press, 1999). It is the Ausdall private collection that is offered in Part I of the March 26 Theriault’s auction. More than 100 sought-after Betsy McCall dolls, ephemera and costumes are offered in Part I of the March 26 auction.
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Part II of the March 26 auction features further American mid-century dolls including Toni, Mary Hoyer, Ginny, Nanette, Miss Revlon, Littlechap Family and dozens more, all in mint or near mint condition in original costumes. All of the dolls can be viewed online and are available then for pre-bidding. Or absentee bidding and live telephone bidding can be arranged by contacting Theriault’s at 410-224-3655. To view the dolls, visit www.theriaults.com and click on “bid online” to find the auction site. Then scroll away and have fun. On the day of the auction there is live video/audio of the auction and live internet bidding. Visit www.theriaults.com and click on “bid online”. Pre-register early so you are ready for a day of fun and bidding for your favorite dolls. Questions? Call 410-224-3655 or email us at info@theriaults.com. x
x For more information visit Theriaults.com
or call 410-224-3655 x
For more info call 410-224-3655 and to watch the auction live visit www.theriaults.com.
x For more information visit Theriaults.com
or call 410-224-3655 x
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THE MID-CENTURY DOLLS OF MADAME ALEXANDER At Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. 10AM Live Preview. 11AM Auction Begins.
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ollectors refer to these as dolls from “the Golden Years”. For Judith Spencer Merrill the dolls are more personal. She still calls her dolls “The Girls” as she relates even now how Alexander dolls “brought tears of joy to my eyes from our first meeting at Macy’s window in 1954 when I was a young
She still calls her dolls “The Girls” as she relates even now how Alexander dolls “brought tears of joy.” girl”. It was from that time forward that Judith sought to find and preserve these dolls which, once considered modern, have passed into the realm of vintage, and now are seven decades into life. Her collection is remarkable, focusing significantly on the child doll, WendyKins, but also encompassing the beloved Cissy doll, Elise, Lissy and even rare historical portrait dolls from the series known as “mystery”. More than 300 dolls are included in the auction, of which a sample is shown here. A full color catalog of the collection is available for $49. Collectors are invited to attend the auction in person at Theriault’s gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. The auction will also offer live video/audio feed for collectors who prefer to “attend” the auction from their own home. The auction is available for
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viewing at www.theriaults.com. Collectors can pre-bid or live bid at the actual time of the auction, via Proxibid. Too, live telephone bidding is available. And traditional absentee bids, too! For help or more information on bidding options, call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655. x
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THE MID-CENTURY DOLLS OF MADAME ALEXANDER
Saturday, APRIL 9, 2022
For more info call 410-224-3655 and to watch the auction live visit www.theriaults.com.
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THE MID-CENTURY DOLLS OF MADAME ALEXANDER
Saturday, APRIL 9, 2022
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Bidding Is Easy At Theriault’s 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 Theriault’s President and Head Auctioneer, Stuart Holbrook
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.
Every Theriault’s auction brims with new discoveries for your collection. So why not join Bid Absentee in on the bidding fun? It’s Place your bids right up to the time of auction by mail, fax, easy. Choose your favorite email or phone. Advise us of the way to bid and prioritize lots and your top bid. We will bid for you fairly and competitively. your choices.
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.
x For more information visit Theriaults.com
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All Kinds of Auctions All About Dolls Whatever your style of doll, whatever your budget, Theriault’s is here to provide you with a chance to bring home a doll with live online bidding, live telephone bidding or traditional absentee bidding. So plan to “come to the auction”, draw up a chair, get comfortable, and watch the live audio/video stream whether you plan to bid or not. It’s such fun! x Marquis Doll Auctions
Our premier events, presented bi-monthly, featuring important and rare dolls, many from celebrated private collections or important museums, presented in award-winning full color catalogs.
x Specialty Doll Auctions
Ranging from Barbies of the 1960s and 1970s to rarities from the Madame Alexander firm, these auctions are also featured in award winning full-color catalogs.
x Rendezvous Doll Auctions
Wednesday Evening mid-week auctions, just a little get-together auction, with a great selection of dolls and playthings ranging from rare dolls to those more affordable.
x Fifty Forward Doll Auctions
Our newest style, designed as an oldfashioned country auction. Where every lot begins its bidding at $50. A great variety of dolls, playthings and related ephemera in new-style timed auction, only available online.
And be sure to receive notice of all of these events by visiting www.theriaults.com and registering to receive free email notifications. 20
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An Open Letter from Stuart Holbrook Lately, the most common question we get at Theriault’s is, “When will you have live audiences again at the auctions?” It’s a fair question as even we had hoped it would have been a year ago. While the video studio sales have been a great success and filled the gap during the pandemic (some even confessing they prefer them and the anonymity of bidding online) there is no doubt that many of us, me included, miss the audience and the energy that comes from live auctions. Given this we have been hard at work the past months to introduce a new approach to Theriault’s schedules and events starting this spring of 2022. The first thing collectors will love is that Theriault’s is in the process of now converting one of its buildings in Annapolis into a gallery that can hold on-site events with seating for up to 50 people. This newly constructed gallery will host our popular Rendezvous Auctions, Specialty Category Sales, and a selection of some of the Marquis events held each year. It will also be better suited for multi-media and broadcasting with enhanced lighting and acoustics, making it an additional improvement for those who prefer to bid at home. Further, this refreshing new gallery design that’s being built from scratch will enable us to host lecture series, seminars, and other educational events throughout the year. Which can also be broadcast live online. But what about the signature events in places you have come to love? Indeed, Theriault’s was built on the roaming platform of auctions held across the country and it still stands as an integral part of our DNA. Absolutely, we will continue them as they will be mixed with the Live Gallery sales. In fact, expect that the first Live@Destination auction will be in St. Louis August at the start of the UFDC Convention. From then, Live@Destination auctions will focus on unique special events, or those auctions highlighting major landmark legacy collections. This will enable us to have themed approaches in different areas we have never gone to and give collectors the combined fun of auctions and beautiful fresh locations. And yes, expect at some of these events features like our popular banquets and/or receptions will take place. We are so excited for all that we will be introducing to the collecting world in 2022. Mostly, we are so thankful to all of you for your good will and encouragement the past two years. Never before have I felt so strongly that we are and always will be a strong global family of collectors. Happy Collecting, Stuart Holbrook President of Theriault’s
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the dollmasters
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Sneak Peek Announcement Important Marquis Auction of Antique Dolls Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1st, 2022 Featuring Two Important Collections The Legendary Dolls of Peggy Yale of Dallas, Texas Highlighted by Rare German Art Character Dolls The Private Collection of Chris Mullen of Honolulu, Hawaii Highlighted by Important Early Porcelain and Paper Mache Dolls A full color 250 page catalog is available for $69. Call 410-224-3655 or visit www.theriaults.com to order. 22
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x Visit Theriaults.com x 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 theriaults.com to complete your doll research or just to see what’s new!
Order Form for Doll Auction Catalogs “Vintage Barbie - The Romanotto Collection” Marquis Auction Catalog — At Theriault’s Gallery, Annapolis, MD - March 12-13, 2022. $59. ❒
“Mid-Century Dolls of Madame Alexander” Marquis Auction Catalog — At Theriault’s Gallery, Annapolis, MD - April 9, 2022. $49.
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2022 Calendar of Dolls Featuring beautiful antique dolls. Sixteen full-color photographs featuring gorgeous antique dolls. 24” x 12”.
❒ Ten-Issue Subscription Receive the next ten doll auction catalogs at a 60% reduction of single-issue price. US: $329. Canada: $459. International: $499. ❒
2022 Calendar of Dolls (16 months thru Feb 2023): $22.
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events
Absentee, Telephone and Live Internet Bidding
March 12, 2022
We welcome absentee bidding, live telephone bidding, and live bidding on the internet. Too, you can “tunein” 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.
March 13, 2022
Auction Information
S AT U R DAY & S U N DAY
11:00 AM EST Auction. “Vintage Barbie” Day One. Marquis Auction Event Begins.
11:00 AM EST Auction. “Vintage Barbie” Day Two. Marquis Auction Event Begins.
For more auction information or to learn about consigning dolls call 410-224-3655 or visit www.theriaults.com.
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the dollmasters
schedule
PO Box 151 Annapolis, Maryland 21404 www.theriaults.com
Join the Auction in a Live Video Presentation. Call Today for More Details.
The auction will take place at the Theriault’s Studio in Annapolis, Maryland. For auction information call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 M-F 9AM-5PM EST or go online to theriaults.com. Email queries to info@theriaults.com anytime.
To order the auction catalog “Vintage Barbie” Featuring the Romanotto Collection for $59 call 410-224-3655 or visit Theriaults.com.