"THERIAULT'S AUCTION WEEKEND" > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Theriault's Auction Weekend
The Theriault's Premier Doll Auctions weekend, held in Orange County, California on January 7-9 was the perfect start for the hobby of Doll Collecting in the new millenium--hundreds of dolls, hundreds of collectors from around the world, and five auctions! Collectors had 5 separate auctions they could attend, including specialized auctions for small all-bisque dolls, teddy bears, and French dolls in folklore costumes. In total, over 1,500 vintage and antique dolls, teddy bears and related memorabilia were sold. Below are memorable highlights from each of the auctions (plus an exciting announcement). For in-depth coverage of the all-bisque auction, the "No Regrets" auction, and the French folklore auction (including more prices realized and photos), please go directly to that auction's page.
"The Little Ones":
The weekend started out on Friday night with "The Little Ones," a well-attended,
standing-room only auction featuring French and German all-bisque dolls from approximately
1876 through the early 1920s. Many of the dolls in the auction were chosen because
of their rarity or rare features including swivel
waists, rare sizes and rare shoe types. It was evident at the
auction that the market for all-bisques continues to be very strong--favored models such
as French Mignonettes and large German all-bisques sold at or above pre-auction
estimates. Two 9 1/4" German all-bisque mignonettes sold for $8,000 and $8,400
against their pre-sale estimates of $3,000/$3,500 each. Another auction highlight
was a Kestner all-bisque with a very rare swivel waist, which sold for an amazing
$16,000 against an estimate of $3,500/$4,500.
"No Regrets": On
Saturday, Theriault's held its first 2000 "Marquis" catalogued auction of rare
antique and collectible dolls. This auction, attended by several hundred doll collectors,
lasted most of the day (over 230 lots). Again, most doll sold at or above estimate.
Several rare Lencis sold well over their estimates, including a rare
"Kufi" which sold for $12,500 against an estimate of $4000/$6,000.
Kewpies, American cloth dolls and Terri Lees also sold strongly. as did the usual French
bébés. And, for those that
stayed till the very end of the auction, there was a major surprise. The very last
item of the auction, a late 1940s hard-plastic Ginny predecessor called "Miss
2000" sold for $5,100 against an estimate of $800/$1,000.
On Saturday evening, Theriaults held its annual "Cheval
d'Or Society Banquet and Celebration" At the banquet, Theriault's' announced its
sponsorship of "Le Petit Prince: Grand Tour 2000."
This year-long event will promote the hobby of Doll Collecting worldwide. For the
tour, noted doll artist R.John Wright has created
a special one-of-a kind version of The Little Prince (which is
breathtaking!) This Little Prince will travel the world to major doll events and museums,
collecting small gifts and remembrances of its stops along the way. Next January, at
Theriault's Auction weekend, the doll and its belongings will be auctioned, with all
proceeds going to benefit UNICEF.
The last day of the weekend consisted of
three auctions conduced simultaneously--the French Folklore Auction, the teddy bear
auction, and an uncatalogued "Discovery Day" auction (all other auctions were
catalogued). Restrained collectors bedlam reigned as collectors went from room to room,
often trying to keep up with the goings on in two or three rooms at a time. 
The first auction to start, at 11am, was the "French Dolls In Folklore Costume 1835-1917." This specialty auction featured 100 French dolls, each wearing its original costume from various regions of France, plus separate costumes, shoes, hats, headdresses, books, postcards and games of the era, all featuring folklore costuming. The dolls in this auction were unusual and exquisite, and prices varied--some dolls sold over estimate, including a Jumeau poupee in the costume of Finistiere, Brittany, which sold for $5000 against an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. Other dolls sold very reasonably, including many poupees in all-original clothing which sold between $1,000 to $2,000. The auction was preceeded by a very special lecture on the History Of French Regional Costumes which was given by Mlle Anne Tricaud, Conservateur de Patrimonie at the Musee Nationale des Arts et Traditions Populaire in Paris.
The second auction, a "Discovery Day Auction" was uncatalogued (as is traditional) with no absentee or phone bids, and began at 12. Dolls are not guaranteed as to condition at this auction, so bidders carefully look the dolls over in preview. There were many good buys at this auction, including Bubble Cut Barbies in excellent condition for under $150 (including a vintage outfit) as well as good buys on antique dolls. Finally, at 1pm, the auction of over 200 vintage teddy bears (entitled "The Bear Book") began. Collecting of vintage teddy bears continues to skyrocket in popularity, and many bears sold for several thousand dollars each, including a Steiff Blank Button Teddy Bear from 1906-08 which sold for a remarkable $20,000 against an estimate of $18,000 to $22,000.
For more details and pictures of dolls sold
at the auctions, for pictures of the auctions and events, for more information on The
Little Prince Tour, and for tips on attending a live auction, please continue below:
Next pages
>The Little Ones: All-Bisque Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>No Regrets: Catalogued Marquis Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
> French Dolls In Folklore Costume > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>The Little Prince Tour > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>Photo Album > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>Tips For Attending an Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Were you there? Do you wish you were? Are you an auction addict? What do you think if the prices realized? Don' forget to visit the Dolls Forum to discuss with other doll collectors!
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| Article, Graphics Copyright © 2001 Denise Van Patten | |||||
And, don't miss:
Auctions Online, from your Collectibles Guide
Doll Auctions, from your Doll Collecting Guide
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Photos by Denise Van Patten with permission of Theriaults, © 2000. All rights reserved.
