| Fittingly, the crowning glory of Theriault’s annual summer doll auction, titled “Crowning Glories”, was the cover doll, a precious 12” bébé by French doll maker Andre Thuillier. Made about 1884, the same time that the legendary Denver baron Horace Tabor and his scandalous second wife, Baby Doe Tabor became the parents of baby Lily Tabor, the doll was one of many gifts bestowed on their little princess whose christening gown was sprinkled with diamonds and gold. Many decades later the doll passed into the hands of the legendary doll collector, Mildred Seeley, and it was from her family’s estate holdings that the doll was being sold at Theriault’s July auction at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. It realized $70,000 (pre-sale $40,000/60,000). Close on the dainty heels of the A.T. bébé was another doll from the family estate of Mildred Seeley. The sought-after “H” bébé, made by French doll maker Halopeau in the early 1880’s quickly climbed to $60,000 (pre-sale $40,000/60,000). Other dolls from the Seeley collection at Theriault’s auction included examples that collectors recognized from that author’s books such as the 11” Schmitt et Fils bébé, size 4/0, that topped at $15,000 (pre-sale $10,000/14,000), 32” size 15 Bébé Triste by Jumeau selling at $29,000 (pre-sale $15,000/21,000) and a dainty size 1 Bébé Bru, 11”, with signed shoes, that quickly climbed to $18,000 (pre-sale $10,000/14,000). The 11” Schmitt et Fils sold to a collector who spotted the doll in an early Theriault advertisement for the auction and called to verify that it indeed was the Seeley-owned bébé. “I’ve dreamed of this doll for years after seeing it in Mildred Seeley’s books. I can’t believe I’ll have a chance to own her” she said. But she did have that chance and she did win the doll, sending her husband to bid while she waited nervously for the verdict in a nearby room. Everyone went home happy. Another outstanding group of French dolls included in Theriault’s July auction was from a private collection in Vienna, Austria. Collectors eagerly vied for these beautiful dolls that included a size 9 23” Bébé Bru with classic face that soared to $40,000 (pre-sale estate of $25,000/35,000), a classic model Bébé Tete Jumeau wearing her original couturier costume at $19,500 (pre-sale $6000/8000), a 12” kid-bodied Gaultier bébé that went to $13,000 (pre-sale $7500/10,500), a dainty 11” size 4/0 Bébé Brevete by Bru at $18,500 (pre-sale estimate $11,000/15,000) and another model of the desirable Bébé Triste by Jumeau, this a 27” example of the size 12 model, that topped her larger sister, reaching $30,000 (pre-sale $16,000/19,000). A wonderful small but select collection of antique bisque black-complexioned dolls was presented in the Theriault auction. A 23” French bisque portrait bébé by Emile Jumeau with ebony black complexion sold for $18,500 (pre-sale $10,000/17,000), and a 20” SFBJ model 227 with rich brown complexion climbed to $7000 (pre-sale $4000/$6000). A 20” French bisque Bébé Steiner, Figure A, was $7250 (pre-sale $6500/8500) while a smaller sister model at 14” topped her at $8000 (pre-sale $6000/8000), a 19” German doll known as “AT Kestner” with amber brown complexion went to $8500 (pre-sale estimate $7000/9000), a 21” brown complexioned smiling doll, model 969, by Simon and Halbig was $4250 (pre-sale estimate $3000/4000), and a 23” sister model, 1079, by Simon and Halbig was $3200 (pre-sale estimate $1200/1800). Theriault’s doll auctions are notable for their variety and wide-ranging appeal. New budget-minded collectors can always find select dolls in their price range. There was an 8” 126 toddler by K*R with original costume that sold for $700, a fabulous 12” ABG 1322 character with chubby toddler body at $850, an elegant German bisque fashion lady with closed mouth and original costume at $650, and a beautiful 13” 224 model by Bahr and Proschild with original costume at $950. And even long-time collectors claim to nourish their collecting hunger at Theriault’s. “I can always find something unusual to add to my family of dolls. Sometimes it’s a different doll I’ve never seen (and how does Theriault’s always find those!), or even doll furniture or an antique costume or accessory. There’s a miniature toy dachshund I’ve got my eye on in this auction” noted one collector prior to the auction. The dachshund, with tiny hidden wheels and a fine leather muzzle and leash, sold for $2000 (pre-sale $800/1300), a musical automaton “Little Girl at Bedtime with Her Doll” reached $9000 (pre-sale $4500/7500) amid ooh-s and ah-s each time the little girl leaned forward to kiss her doll, three antique doll bonnets sold at $800 (pre-sale $500/700), an early 20th century German child’s needlework set was $350 (pre-sale estimate $300/500), a collection of miniature French woven baskets was $700 (pre-sale $500/800) and an antique costume for Bébé Jumeau, size 9 with original shoes and undergarments was $2300 (pre-sale $600/900). Copies of the 148 page full color catalog with 350 beautiful antique dolls is available for $49 by calling 800-966-3655. The dolls and their realized prices can also be viewed at www.theriaults.com. Theriault’s next upcoming catalog doll auction is October 10/11, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California (near San Francisco) and will feature the outstanding early collection of Madalaine Selfridge, author of Dimples and Sawdust and Dolls, Images of Love. For further information about that auction visit www.theriaults.com or call 800-638-0422 for a free brochure. Theriault’s, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, conducts its doll auctions at notable locations throughout the United States, and has specialized solely in antique dolls and related childhood objects for 40 years. 
CAPTIONS:
15. The 12” pressed bisque bébé by French doll maker Thuillier was originally owned by Lily Tabor of the legendary and scandalous 19th century Denver family. It sold for $70,000. 30 and 31. The 23” size 9 Bébé Bru with classic face and rare signed Bru ankle boots is holding a tiny 12” Bru bébé wearing classic Bru shoes. They sold for $40,000 and $23,000 at Theriault’s July auction. 36-39. Wonderful dolls and toys at Theriault’s July auction at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas included Zinner and Sohne’s hand-wind musical mechanical “Little Musicians” selling at $3100, a French gilded wood doll’s settee with blue silk tufted seat at $1600, a 16” Bébé Steiner, early period, at $5300, and a 23” portrait Jumeau bébé with rich ebony black complexion at $18,500. 46. The 19” bébé by Halopeau, known as “H’ bébé, was from the family estate holdings of Mildred Seeley and it sold for $60,000. 134. In fabulous original and unplayed with condition, the 11” K*R child with her trunk and trousseau comprising many wonderful dresses and undergarments had come from its original family owners. It sold for $3500 at Theriault’s auction. |
