Day One: Saturday, March 29, 2025

Preview 9 AM Eastern • Auction Begins at 11 AM Eastern

“MISS LILY & FRIENDS” THE ONE OWNER AUCTION OF THE COLLECTION OF KAREN ROCKWELL

“She didn’t just walk into a room; she owned it. Whether through her words, her actions, or that signature no-nonsense attitude, you always knew when Karen was in charge. And let me tell you, she was always in charge” are the words of her family describing the celebrated doll collector Karen Rockwell. Collectors who knew her would agree, and they would also agree with these further words of the family that “toughness was only part of who she was…she made people feel seen and heard in a way that was deeply human and profoundly caring”.  In the field of dolls, she knew her subject, she constantly studied and searched, and then, she shared. A notable example of her sharing was the lovely Rohmer poupée which she named Miss Lily and which she shared with other collectors at innumerable doll shows and conventions. It is Miss Lily and her many friends that, thus, are honored with the name of this auction. 

Karen Rockwell, a lifelong California resident, was a world-famous antique doll collector, a true authority in her field. She rose to lead the United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC), serving in multiple leadership roles: UFDC Director from 2000-2003, Secretary/Treasurer from 2003-2005, 2nd Vice President from 2005-2007, 1st Vice President and Director of Real Services from 2007-2009, and ultimately, UFDC President from 2009-2010. Over the years, she received multiple awards for excellence, cementing her legacy as one of the most respected experts in the world of antique dolls. 

Although her interest in dolls spanned many categories, her particular focus was directed to the French poupée and the early all-bisque dolls of France and Germany, and it is those categories that are highlighted in her auction collection. The artistry of Adelaide Huret was a particular fascination for her, and the collection includes three fine examples of the Huret poupée as well as furnishings and costumes that bear the Huret signature. As for the poupées of Leontine Rohmer, Miss Lily is not alone as there are several other fine examples, each with an important feature introduced by that firm, and many with complete trousseaux. Other poupées are presented by studios of Bru, Simonne, Lavalle-Peronne, Au Nain Bleu, Aux Reves des Enfances and Giroux & Cie, many with wooden bodies, and all with fine antique costumes. 

Her love of all-bisque dolls spanned the beautiful mignonettes of the golden age in Paris to the dolls of Kestner with variations of body and decoration, and into this she added the early miniature sculpted hair dolls by Simon and Halbig with all-bisque or cloth bodies. Then, curiously, exhibiting the whimsicality that softened her focused drive, she turned full circle and highlighted her collection with two early models of the Izannah Walker cloth doll which are featured in the auction. 

The collection is presented in a one day, single owner auction. Collectors are urged to plan to attend the auction to view these rare dolls in person, but the auction is also streamed in a live online presentation. Bidding is welcome in attendance, online, by telephone, or by traditional absentee bidding. The dolls are all presented in a beautiful art catalog titled “Miss Lily and Friends”.

Accessories For 16”-18” Poupées Featured at the “Miss Lily & Friends” Auction on Saturday, March 29th

An entire industry of miniature accessories for dolls flourished in Paris throughout the past 40 years of the 1800s. When the 1874 inventory of the famous French dollmaker, Eugene Barrois, was made at the time of his death, it included the following in addition to dolls and doll parts.

“…shoes, high-heeled shoes, ankle boots, jewelry sets, earrings, rings, crosses, shawls, miniature books, letter paper, small Missals, envelopes, belts, purses with handles, small wallets, fans in wood and ivory, doll gloves, hats, blouses, slips, trousers, aprons, handkerchiefs, wimples, corsets, furs, wicker trunks, suitcases, paper goods, hat boxes, plaid luggage, travel bags…”

The importance of the miniature doll accessory was not lost on observers of the time, either. In 1880, Antonin Rondelet wrote about this phenomenon in the magazine, Journal des Desmoiselles. 

“…All the objects found in the various circumstances of life have been reproduced in miniature doll scale, in a style that is not the poetic ideal form of approximation, but in highly realistic form, as though the objects could be actually used”. 

He elaborated on this thought. 

“The dwarfed boots look perfectly able to stand up to the dampness and mud of the streets. Similarly, the tiny umbrellas are fully equipped with ribs and springs, ready to stand up to stormy blasts. The manufacturers have designed trunks, purses, travel tarps, all in scrupulous detail. These extremely curious and interesting miniatures are no cheaper to buy than the originals they imitate…”

Although certain luxury miniature accessories were made prior to the mid-1800s, the niche industry did not blossom until an important change occurred in doll design. That was the idea of changeable costumes. By mid-1850s, dolls were being designed with costumes that could be removed, replaced, or interchanged, rather than the earlier dolls that primarily appeared with permanently sewn-on or affixed clothing. That change was made possible by new articulated bodies, suggesting that not only could dolls have a change of costume, but that they would be posed, placed in vignette settings, and adorned with accessories and ephemera. Voila, demand for accessories began! 

It is certain that whatever objects were made for real people were also made for dolls. And while many of the miniature pieces were made in doll firms or studios, it is also true that many were made in the same workshops which made people-sized accessories. A review of the Parisian department store catalogs of the 1880 era indicates that accessories, such as the popular sac du voyage luggage, were made in doll size as well as full size. Further, many accessory firms presented salesman’s models of their objects, sometimes for logistical reasons (easier for a salesman to carry a miniature example than a full-sized trunk!) and sometimes as special promotions. After all, buy one for mama, and one for mama’s daughter’s doll. 

The 1860-1875 era in Paris was especially notable for its exclusive and luxury doll boutiques. These ranged from specialty doll shops such as that of Jeanne Lavalle-Peronne of A La Poupée de Nuremberg to that of Alphonse Giroux whose luxury decorative objects store. Giroux & Cie, included premiere dolls and accessories among its expensive goods. And always, tucked along with the dolls were the accessories. 

The preservation of these treasures is a particular challenge for today’s collectors. The search for examples is daunting, and the assurance of their originality a task few collectors are willing to undertake, despite their admiration. To those collectors who have faced the challenge, studied and examined and compared, a special debt is due. Karen Rockwell met this challenge head-on and to her is owed a special bow of admiration. Presented here are historic examples from her doll accessories to be presented in the auction “Miss Lily and Friends”.

Day Two: Sunday, March 30, 2025

Preview 9AM Eastern • Auction Begins at 11AM Eastern

“MISS LILY & FRIENDS” MARQUIS CATALOGED ANTIQUE DOLL AUCTION

Doll and plaything treasures of childhood past, the best of the best garnered from private collections from Arizona to Australia meld in an exceptional Marquis auction on Sunday, March 30 on day two of the Marquis weekend. Highlighting the auction is the extremely rare 21” Kammer and Reinhardt 106 model from their art character movement of the 1910 era; in 55 years of auctions, Theriault’s has only offered one other example of this model, so rare it is. In the same genre is the wonderful 22” painted eye character by Marseille with exceptional bisque and modeling. Art character dolls by Gebruder Heubach also headline the auction with rarities including the sought-after Princess Juliana. Collectors of French bébés will be delighted as well with several splendid examples from Leon Casimir Bru, as well as early models by Emile Jumeau and a splendid 13” bébé AT by Thuillier. Poupées also grace the day including a lovely early example from Adelaide Huret and wooden bodied smiling poupées by Bru. Collectors of American dolls are especially graced with early Volland Raggedy Ann dolls, rare examples of Babyland Rag, and a charming group of Schoenhut dolls including Schnickelfritz along with his partner, a Schoenhut Rolly-Dolly with Schnickelfritz face. The auction includes  more than 300 dolls of the finest order, all featured in the a beautiful full color photograph. Collectors are urged to plan to attend the auction to view these rare dolls in person, but the auction is also streamed in a live online presentation. Bidding is welcome in attendance, online, by telephone, or by traditional absentee bidding.

A gorgeous 172-page full-color catalog of the collection is available for $69 softbound, including priority shipping and after-auction prices. Shipping is free, and the books are sent priority mail. And after the auction you will receive prices realized to keep with the book forever. To order click here, email info@theriaults.com, or call 410-224-3655.

Preview is at 9AM ET. The auction begins at 11AM ET each day. 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 Theriault's Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. Seating is limited. Call ahead to confirm your attendance and reserve a seat. For auction info call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 M-F 9AM-5PM ET. Email queries to info@theriaults.com.

How To Bid. Choose the dolls that "speak" to you, and have the fun! You can bid absentee, bid live on the telephone, or bid live on the internet. For more information, please contact us at 410-224-3655 or email us at info@theriaults.com.