American Porcelain Portrait Doll of Catherine Parr by Martha Thompson,Superb Costume

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14" (36 cm.) Sculpted porcelain shoulderhead with slender face and elongated throat, elaborately-arranged brown curly hair under cap with flowing white feather, painted blue eyes with thick upper eyeliner, single-stroke brows, aquiline nose, closed mouth, cloth body, porcelain lower limbs, painted rose slipper. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: M. Thompson Catherine Parr '58. Comments: portrait doll of the last wife of King Henry VIII, by celebrated American doll artist, Martha Thompson, with padded blue velvet gown trimmed with applique of silver paillettes to form elaborate floral patterns, 1958. Value Points: among the rarest of the historical dolls created by Martha Thompson, this example especially meritorious for its couture costume. The collection of Martha Thompson dolls in this auction have been in the collection of one owner for nearly 60 years, acquired directly from Connecticut couturier, Martha Yeske, who formed a relationship with Martha Thompson in the mid-1950s, and was commissioned to create costumes for the Thompson dolls. Several vintage articles about their relationship are included with the doll.