AUCTION
“Rosale - A Life of Dolls, Part Two”
A Cataloged Marquis Auction of Antique Dolls
Rosalie Whyel spent her collecting years in the advocacy of the doll as an art form, indeed, even naming her justly celebrated museum in Bellevue, Washington as The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. It was not simply a museum of dolls, but, boldly, a Museum of Doll Art. Through her leadership, many collectors came to realize that the sculpture and design of a doll was an art form as surely as more traditionally named objects such as bronze sculptures or portrait paintings. For this, it is not possible to praise her enough.
Yet, there is more. Because Rosalie Whyel also saw the doll as history. A study of the dolls in her museum collection underscores this over and over again. The personal story of each doll, why it was created, what was its inspiration, who owned it and cared for it, its chronological connection with other similar dolls, its uniqueness and why, was an important element in each doll’s presentation. The history of each doll was as important to her as the physical object itself. In this catalog, Part Two of Rosalie, A Life of Dolls, these dual purposes of the doll as art and the doll as history is explored, continuing the vision as presented in Part One of the collection.
The collection ranges from extremely rare French bébés and poupées, to the early wooden dolls of England and Europe, to the esoteric to the dolls of mystery background whose history is yet to be uncovered. The
art work of German dolls of the early 1900s continues to be explored and the presentation of her dolls leads the collector through the myriad historical phases of the 20th century, including the studio art dolls of children created by Lilli Baitz to the development of the celebrity doll industry. The history of dolls as seen through the vision of this zealous and curious collector was presented first at the Museum she built and nurtured and, now, fittingly at her request is returned to hands of other knowing and caring collectors. x
The auction will take place at Theriault’s in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information call 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com. A beautiful full-color book honoring those collections is available for $79 (including postage and after sale prices realized). Collectors are invited to attend the auction in person (call for reservations), and bidding is also available by absentee bid, live telephone bid, and live internet bidding.
x Friday, January 10, 2025 1:00 - 5:00 PM ET
The one-day roundtable seminar exploring the rarities and special features of the Rosalie Whyel collection will be conducted at Theriault’s gallery. The seminar is hosted by Florence Theriault.
The seminar is designed to allow attendees to have up close and personal study of the rare dolls in the collection, ranging from French to wood to ephemera, as well as examples of antique doll costumes style and construction.
Attendance is very limited, so you are encouraged to call with your registration at this time. Please call Janet at 410-224-3655 to reserve your spot.
Florence Theriault
JANUARY 11, 2025
9 AM Eastern. Preview.
11 AM Eastern. Auction of “Rosalie - A Life of Dolls, Part Two” Day One Begins. sunday
JANUARY 12, 2025
9 AM Eastern. Preview.
11 AM Eastern. Auction of “Rosalie - A Life of Dolls, Part Two” Day Two Begins.
Absentee, Telephone and Live Internet Bidding
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 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. saturday
A beautiful full-color book honoring those collections is available for $79 (including postage and after sale prices realized). Collectors are invited to attend the auction in person (call for reservations), and bidding is also available by absentee bid, live telephone bid, and live internet bidding.
