Theriault's Summer 2023 Doll Auction Brochure

Monday, JULY 31, 2023

At the Hilton in Bellevue, Washington

Preview 9AM Pacific • Auction Begins at 11AM Pacific

“THE ONLY ELEGANCE”

A CATALOGED MARQUIS AUCTION

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the New England philosopher, famously stated “Knowledge is the only elegance” which is the theme of Theriault’s July 31 Marquis auction in Seattle. For doll collectors, this is an especially meaningful phrase. For it is the wisest collector, seeking dolls of beauty and fashion elegance, who knows that the history behind each doll is its truest elegance. Fittingly, the auction features the private collections of important doll historians as well as private collectors whose driving passion has been to learn and know all about the dolls they have been privileged to own. Many of these dolls have been featured in published books which are noted in the catalog.

The dolls in the auction are from the private collections of Marianne Cieslik (author of German Doll Encyclopedia, German Doll Studies, and Button in Ear), Antje Lode (author of the landmark Skulptur und Puppe), Marisol Valverde of Biarritz, France, and Keith Kaonis (researcher on the history of Schoenhut) and Louise Hedrick whose studies and work concerning French poupée fashion and Bleuette are so esteemed. Some are quite rare, others are curiosities, all are precious. These dolls are presented in the catalog “The Only Elegance.”

The auction, too, features dolls from private family homes. There is the grand 24” Simon and Halbig lady, model 152, gifted to Phebe Walker from her parents in 1913 on the occasion of her 12th birthday in Washington D.C. where she lived her entire life, and where her father was instrumental in building the famed Mayflower Hotel. And Nelle, the petite early Bru bébé that has lived with the family of the original owner, little Petronella Fredriks of Cincinnati whose Dutch immigrant father had purchased for her as young five-year-old girl. Too, there are dolls notable for their collector lineage such as the outstanding French art character doll by Albert Marque which was once a signature treasure in the famed Dina Vierny Collection. And the outstanding English wooden doll in extraordinary costume from the private collection of Madame X of London. And even the #1 Barbie with three rare costumes from the original child owner whose home it has never left.

The auction features more than 400 lots to be offered in the single session on Monday, July 31, beginning at 11AM with preview from 9-11AM. Attendance is welcome, but bidding is also easy by live internet, live telephone, or absentee bidding. The auction will be available for viewing online after July 1. For further information email info@theriaults.com or call 410-224-3655 to speak to a Theriault’s staff member who can help you with any questions. x

The Private Collection of Marianne Cieslik of Germany.

Noted for her distinguished research into the history of the German doll, Marianne ventured with her husband and co-author, Jurgen, into East Germany during post-WWII years to uncover extraordinary and previously undocumented information about doll history. Together, they assembled hundreds of thousands of archival doll details, as well as interviewed the last remaining family members of many old firms. From this research they wrote The German Doll Encyclopedia which remains the bible of German doll study, as well as published Puppen Magazin and Teddy Bear and Friends magazines and authored German Doll Studies, Button in Ear, Lexikon des Puppenstuben und Puppenhauser and Teddy Bear Encyclopedia. Although Marianne examined thousands of dolls for these books, there were certain dolls she cherished and kept for her own pleasure.

The Private Collection of Marisol Valverde of Biarritz, France.

The very private and distinguished collector of fine French dolls reminisces “I was the only girl after four brothers at a time when it made a difference in the education of boys and girls”. However, her close-knit family, bonding her with mother and aunts who had grown up at the end of the 1800s, gave her an early awareness of how intimately connected girls are with their dolls. Later she started seeking antique dolls in her immediate environment, Biarritz, Baronne, and Bordeaux, and then in Paris and other European cities. For Marisol it has always been the study of the doll that is important, and with all her dolls she has sought details of their origin, and when possible, preserved the doll’s personal history.

The Private Collection of Antje Lode of Berlin, Germany.

It would be only fitting that this brilliant woman whose career path had always centered around design, who had dedicated more than thirty years to a service organization working to advance the status of women, and whose special interests had centered around the cultural histories of Germany and other European countries, would, having come upon her first antique doll in England in 1973, develop that casual beginning into a systematic study of “art and dolls”. Since 1979 she has served as curator of doll exhibition in museums, after 1990 she authored articles for Cieslik’s Puppenmagazin focusing on dolls and toys of the so-called Reform Movement, and in 2008 published her landmark book Skulptur und Puppe

The Schoenhut Circus Collection from the Keith Kaonis Collection.

Known to doll collectors worldwide for the monthly publication, Antique Doll Collector, he was an insightful student of the American antique doll and toy, enthusiastically promoting their research as well as authoring numerous articles and books himself, including Schoenhut Toy Price Guide. He merged a true love of antique objects, particularly those related to American culture and history, to his experience and background as owner of a premier San Diego advertising agency, into the magazine Collector’s Showcase. The fascination with American toys led naturally to his intrigue with the Schoenhut firm, particularly the firm’s early toys including the Safari set of Teddy Roosevelt and the Humpty Dumpty Circus, while his engineering background compelled him to study the simple, yet sophisticated, construction of this truly durable plaything. Keith was a founding member of the Schoenhut Collector’s Club in 1986.

THE COLLECTIONS

THE CATALOG, “The Only Elegance”

A landmark catalog of these important collections whose presence aptly confirms that knowledge is the only elegance, is available, with over 200 pages in full color and detailed descriptions and historical details about each object. Most reference the original collection of each piece, and many offer multiple photographs and commentary. Available for $69 which includes priority shipping to you. To order the catalog visit www.theriaults.com or call 410-224-3655.

Live Video Presentation

The Day of the Auction

The entire auction can be watched by you at Theriault’s Live (visit Theriaults.com and click on Theriault’s Live) . From your own home, you can watch and listen to the bidding, the repartee, the auction fun, and actually see each item brought right to the camera. Of course, we encourage you to bid, but if you just want to enjoy the show, that’s okay, too. The video begins at 11 AM Pacific Time on July 31.

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). A great way to get a close-up look of features and faces in a live private video session. Available Monday through Friday 9AM-4PM Eastern.

BEFORE

THE

AUCTION —

HOW TO PREVIEW THE DOLLS FROM THE AUCTIONS

x Public Preview Monday, July 31 from 9AM-11AM PT immediately preceding that day’s auction in Bellevue, WA.

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 “Bid Online” 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.

Note: the auction begins at 11AM Pacific Time.

The Hans doll from the original archives of the family of Franz Reinhardt, along with photographs of his grandson from whom the doll was modeled, and other family ephemera and photographs.

“Love, Shirley Temple” dolls and ephemera

The Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty

Circus Collection of Keith Kaonis was assembled over decades of search and research. Always on the hunt for premier single pieces, or willing to acquire entire collections of which he would keep the best and part with the rest, Keith was a master at detecting the slight nuances that distinguished a great rarity. When an average collectors would say “Oh, ho-hum, another clown”, Keith would note the rare red felt ear muffs indicating the earliest model clown. The Ringmaster is wearing a black coat? Oh, that’s the very rare earliest model and so few were made. The two-part head Lady Rider, extremely rare as it was quickly supplanted by the bisque head imported from Germany, was a special treasure for Keith, who had spotted the lady, neglected in hodge-podge of toys, at a collector show.

The Kaonis Collection includes great rarities such as the 1909 Band Wagon, made for only a few years, complete with four glass-eyed horses, original platforms, tack and traces, and excellent gold gilding, the 1909 Side Show wagon with two glass-eyed horses, the 1909 Cage Wagon with two painted-eye horses, and the 1909 Chariot with rare green background being pulled by glass-eyed burro and driven by original clown with holes in feet for posing. Also notable is the original 1922 circus tent with side-show panels and original poles. There are more than 50 rare-variation circus performers.

The Kaonis Collection will be auctioned at Theriault’s Marquis event in Seattle, Washington, on Monday, July 31, 2023 where your attendance is welcome.

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

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.

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

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

Dollmastery Vignette Series

The Fun of Attending a Theriault’s Marquis Doll Auction

So many reasons to come to the auction!

Start with the more than 500 wonderful dolls for auction — a veritable museum, indeed. And then consider these:

The visual joy of beautiful dolls in fine displays — dolls as they should be shown.

The good time laughter and bidding with auctioneers Stuart Holbrook and Luke Theriault.

The early morning walkthrough preview with Florence Theriault.

The delight at greeting old friends and meeting new ones.

And don’t forget the hot fudge sundaes!

Beautiful dolls in a fun and laughterfilled weekend. What could possibly ever be better than this?

If you really just can’t come in person, here’s the closest thing. You can watch and listen (and bid, if you wish) to the entire live streamed auction. Visit www.theriaults.com and click on “Bid online” for easy details and access.

Stuart Holbrook

Luke Theriault

Florence Theriault

Pre-Announcements of Upcoming Fall Schedule

Marquis and Specialty Doll Auctions

September 23, 2023

The Jonathan Green Collection featuring rare Kathe Kruse Dolls

September 24, 2023

The Art of American Composition Dolls, 1920-1950

October 28 & 29, 2023

Marquis Auction of Important Antique Dolls from Private Collections

November 18, 2023

The Blain Kukevitch Collection of Rare Kewpies and O’Neilliana

AUCTION SCHEDULE

MONDAY July 31, 2023

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

Watch for the Man in the Hat! (BUS SCHEDULE)

8:30am-12noon (Hyatt to Hilton, back and forth) and 5pm-9pm (Hilton to Hyatt back and forth)

2 buses will run between the Hilton Bellevue located at 300 112th Ave SE and the Hyatt located at 900 Bellevue Way NE.

Absentee, Telephone and Live Internet Bidding

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.

Auction Information

The auction will take place at the Hilton Bellevue - 300 112th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA. For auction info call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 M-F 9AM-5PM EST or go online to theriaults.com. Email queries to info@theriaults.com.