When Rosalie Whyel opened the Museum of Doll Art in the early 1990’s, it was a benchmark for dolls to be recognized as important historical objects and as works of art. When Theriault’s conducted the auction of Part I of the Museum on January 6 and 7, 2024, some 30 years later, this benchmark was sealed. At just under $5,000,000 in sales, it became the highest grossing doll auction in history, well surpassing the previous record set in the 1990’s.
Throughout the featured 600 lots there were records achieved on a continuous basis. Theriault’s President, Stuart Holbrook, was quoted as saying, “The blend of items and the love of a woman who gave everything to the doll community for so many years, created an impactful sale that will surely be remembered as the doll auction of the past century.”
The sale was off to a vigorous start early on when the third lot, an American black cloth doll by Izannah Walker, circa 1880, the only one known in the world, tripled its estimate, selling at $92,000 thus becoming the highest price paid for an American doll of the 19th century.
As one lot after another doubled, tripled and went even further, the bids continued to soar. This became, as well, the auction with the most registered bidders in Theriault’s history, surpassing even its famed Shirley Temple Estate Auction in 2015.
Other highlights included a French bisque fashion doll designed by Antoine Rochard, whose shoulder-plate was embedded with 48 gilt-edged crystals arranged to create an extraordinary jewelry montage. Considered one of the pinnacle art dolls of the 19th century, it realized $194, 000, doubling its estimate. Another highlight, the highest grossing piece of the auction, was a Japanese Friendship Doll, “Miss Kantoshu”, a unique piece of history from the 1920’s of which only 58 exist in the series, mostly in museums across the U.S. It finished with heated bidding at $241,000, making it the highest price ever paid for a Japanese doll.
Rosalie Whyel was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of dolls with original costumes, some with complete trousseaux. Throughout the auction countless examples of both French bebes and poupees with trousseau were present and became highly fought over. An early Grodnertal wooden doll, whose costumes were ink labeled “Miss Maude Middleton” soared to $36,800; a French wooden-bodied poupee, which had been estimated at $12,000/17,000, soared to $75,700; and a French bisque portrait bebe, named “Eugenie” by its original owner, with trunk and trousseau, topped its pre-sale estimate of $8000/12000, by realizing $23,650.
Even doll clothing, a dress alone, resulted in fierce bidding. One dress, created by Adelaide Huret, the Parisian doll maker and couturier of the mid-1800’s, set a new record for doll couture by selling at $24,150.
English wooden dolls of the 17th and 18th century had been important highlights of the Museum and continued their legendary place at the auction as collectors worldwide vied to win one of the rarities. Highlights included a 17th century wooden doll with extremely rare glass eyes for this era, which soared to $103,500; a miniature 9” English wooden doll which had been featured in the book, The Heart of the Tree, written by the Museum founder, Rosalie Whyel, which raced to a new height of $85,250 against its pre-sale of $18,000/25,000.
Many pieces went to established museums. The Barry Art Museum, in Norfolk, Virginia, was successful in adding a number of items to its permanent collection. As well, the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City furthered their collection to continue the vision of Whyel in educating the public on the importance of doll art.
With nearly $5,000,000 in sales achieved, the first part of the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art enhanced the concept of the doll as three-dimensional art form and important cultural object. An important 356-page catalog of the auction with exceptional art photography and historical commentary is available. For more information about the auction or to order the catalog visit www.theriaults.com. The entire catalog along with prices realized is available for viewing at that site.
At the conclusion of Part I of the two-day auction, Stuart Holbrook, Theriault's President, announced to the eager and delighted crowd of attendees, “Next January, Part II will take place”.
Theriault’s, which specializes exclusively in the auction and appraisal of antique dolls and playthings is currently in its 54th year of original family ownership, one of the few specialty firms in the world to have maintained this status.
For further information contact travis@theriaults.com.