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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: Etrennes

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: Etrennes: Etrennes are gifts presented on New Year’s Day in France, and included beautiful French dolls during the Golden age of Bisque dolls.   ...



Friday, December 26, 2014

The 19th C Continued - Cotillion: An Auction that willl the History of 19th and early 20th Century Dolls!

2014 is swiftly coming to an end!  So hard to believe!


Happy Boxing Day, Merry Christmas (It's the 2nd day of Christmas!) and Happy New Year!  When I was a little girl, I used my beautiful doll books by John Noble, Helen Young, Mary Hillier, Janet Pagter Johl,  The Colemans, Eleanor St. George, Dare Wright and others to "fill in" the reare dolls I couldn't find or afford.  I loved opening up the pages  to a color centerfold of French Fashion dolls as a backdrop to the games I played with Barbie, small china heads, and Vogue Ginette's. 


I wanted a collection that told the history of dolls, and as the UFDC, of mankind.  So, if I couln't find or afford a Bru, I bought a book on them.  This way, the Bru had representation in my collection. 


I never lost my love of doll books, and I never understimated their important place in doll collections. I probably won't be bidding on the A.T. or the Marque in the January 9th Cotillion auction, but I value the gorgeous catalog as a historical resources, whether it is in print, or bookmarked as the online version. Below, in their own words, is Theriault's description of the auction:


The lavish 204 page hardbound book features more than 400 of the world’s most rare and beautiful dolls. Of special prominence are French bebes (yes, A.T., H., Bru, Marque and others), all-bisque mignonettes (more than 125 rare examples), and googlies (more than 80 including rarities such as Oscar Hitt, and luxury grand sizes). $75 includes priority postage and after sale prices realized.
Wait! Here’s a better way.
Subscribe now to Theriault’s award winning catalogs for fabulous savings and the assurance that the catalog you want will never be “sold out”. On a ten issue subscription, the individual catalogs are only $29.90 – that’s a whopping 60% savings!

Five issue and twenty issue subscriptions are also available. International prices vary due to shipping costs. Subscriptions include all Theriault catalogs with “opt-out” option on catalogs of specialty dolls.
Click here to order the "Cotillion" catalog.
Click here to begin your subscription.
To receive notice of Theriault's auctions, go to
www.theriaults.com and register to receive email notices. If you are planning on coming to Newport Beach for the January 10-11 auctions or would like more information call Theriault's toll-free at 800-638-0422, internationally at 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults

Friday, December 19, 2014

Yes, Virginia . .


Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (1897)



In 1897, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, a coroner’s assistant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, was asked a question by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia, which many a parent has been asked before: whether Santa Claus really exists. O’Hanlon deferred. He suggested Virginia wrote asking the question to one of New York’s most prominent newspapers at the time, The Sun, assuring her that “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.”




Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.
 Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
 Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?




The response to Virginia’s letter by one of the paper’s editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, remains the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the English language and found itself the subject of books, a film and television series. In his response Church goes beyond a simple “yes of course” to explore the philosophical issues behind Virginia’s request to tell her “the truth” and in the process lampoon a certain skepticism which he had found rife in American society since the suffering of the Civil War. His message in short – there is a reality beyond the visible.




VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.



Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.



Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.



You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.



No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

- See more at: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-1897/#sthash.VeHjJPNo.dpuf

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: Last Minute Gifts for Antique Doll Collectors

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: Last Minute Gifts for Antique Doll Collectors: You still have five days after tonight!  Or, if you are uber-organized, it's never too late to start thinking about next year!  Here are...



Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Cotillion

From our Friends at Theriault's:


Dear Friends,

We did it. Another year. And what a year! Countless landmark auctions and tens of thousands of dolls found their way to new homes amidst world records and the laughter and fun of each unique and diverse auction. And as we prepare to cross over to Theriault's 45th year of business, we look to start you once more in the right way, the best way we know, together as friends and at the world's most spectacular event.

"January" is upon us again.

We know that this is the time that everyone waits to hear the details and learn first-hand what we are putting together for you at our annual grand weekend of auctions and events in Newport Beach, California. For over 25 years this auction weekend is anticipated by doll lovers seeking the best of the best for their collections.

This year we do it once more as we will honor and share in the vision of the great Southern California collector, Susan Whittaker. Don't know her? You soon will through her collection, her legend, and the singular vision she built in dolls.

For the early collectors in Los Angeles, Susan Whittaker is a name that is synonymous with the 1970s and 80s throughout that region's doll circle. Here was one of the first major society doll collectors. From her majestic home that stood at the top of Beverly Hills and was a showcase and famed location in itself, Susan and her husband Bob, both legends in Beverly Hills society (their parties were highly anticipated...friends like Hugh Hefner, Frank Sinatra, James Garner and Kirk Douglas would rarely miss one), began a doll collection that would quietly develop over decades into one of California's most significant.

Susan was a person you never forgot. She was strikingly beautiful, stunning even, and turned an entire room in her direction when she walked in. If you were a collector back in the day and were at auctions or shows you would see and remember her always. Some of you might be nodding your head right now. Yes, Susan was that person that no one ever forgot.

But for some of us we came to know Susan more through her dolls. Here was a woman with a unique love of very distinct and different doll genres. Three areas became a point of focus and would be her primary quest throughout 40 years of collecting: French bebes, French and German mignonettes, and googlies. She would frame this core passion with accessories and the occasional "other" doll to truly build a visionary collection.

First, the French. Ten Bru bebes, six A.T. bebes, two "H" bebes, a stunning Albert Marque doll, and dozens of bebes from Jumeau, Steiner, Schmitt and others. Automata, fashion dolls, fabulous costumes and accessories as well. This could be an auction itself...or two even! But here you will have for the first time in history a chance to make countless choices within a spectrum of the rarest French dolls. There are so many to choose. This could be your chance!

The googlies? This will be the largest collection of googlies ever offered at auction. Over 75 total from Oscar Hitt to Hertel and Schwab, K*R and Kestner. Even the googlies you know, such as the JDK 221 or Hertel and Schwab 165, Susan would work to get examples in virtually every single size. Unprecedented, and if you love googlies, this will most likely be the one event that will never be matched in our lifetimes.

Mignonettes and all-bisques also played a key part of the Whittaker collection. Are you ready? Over 150 all-bisques comprise the entire line of rarities from French to German to, yes...more googlies! It could be a special dedicated auction in itself (we almost thought about doing this!) as you will witness them unfold through the pages of this hardbound commemorative catalog.

Now, don't think that's all, there are others. Susan never passed on a whim of fancy and she also would obtain interesting and rare French and German characters, furniture, accessories and other items that came her way. All in all, this special two-day event and single HUGE hard-bound catalog will comprise more than 500 of the finest pieces all from one collection.

Excited now? We are as well! So, here are the details. For most of you the January format is ingrained into your year...yet you will see now firsthand, how special this weekend really is.

Starting on Friday evening, January 9th, we will, this year, focus on just coming together for a special wine and champagne reception from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm to tour and walk-through with Florence this remarkable collection. It would be impossible to do this collection justice with a single morning exhibit so the evening on Friday will allow you more time, the added attraction of Florence's walk-through of her favorite pieces, an opportunity to meet some of the family of Susan Whittaker, and the joy of greeting your doll friends again after a year.

On Saturday, January 10th, let the auctions begin! All day the excitement will fill the room and the usual energy and joy of "January" will lead us to amazing objects to add to your collection.

The weekend continues with so much more on Sunday, January 11th! Part Two of The Whittaker Collection will excite us once again and lead us into the grand finale...the always popular and something for everyone mid-afternoon Discovery Day auction with another few hundred dolls.

January is the most special doll weekend of the year. Sure, the dolls, especially this time, will be the culmination of greatness. But, what makes this weekend truly wonderful is: You. That is, our reunion of sorts in the doldrums of winter when we can shine together in the California sun. And see our friends that make the joy of collecting so wonderful. This year you will have that and so much more, including an unprecedented opportunity, perhaps not seen since the 2006 Lucy Morgan Collection auction, in which to bid on the rarest of antique dolls. This is your time. This is your chance.

Soon, all the catalogs and more details will emerge (have you ordered yours?). This year we convene at the luxurious five-star Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach that will be a wonderful retreat in itself. We can't wait to host you and we do sincerely hope that you will join us.

Warm regards,


Stuart Holbrook
President
Theriault’s
stuart@theriaults.com

Monday, December 15, 2014

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: January Sneak Peek

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: January Sneak Peek: Cotton piqué, originally invented for use with formal white tie, was a boon for doll costumers of the 1850’s. Lynn Murray has shared her am...

My Newsletter



From  Ellen Tsagaris, your Guide to Doll Collecting
Just in case, I'm sending out a short newsletter.  The Holidays loom closer and closer, and there are great buys everywhere for dolls and toys.  Darling miniature Elsa and Frozen dolls are at Target, and Monster High and Barbie are flying off shelves!



December 15th Rendezvous
Live and online bidding is available.  Read more about the eclectic and desirable dolls available.

Search Related Topics:  fulper  simon and halbig  shirley temple

Keen on Keane: Big Eyes and Moppet Dolls
Tim Burton, who seems to like what I like, has done it again!  His film on artist Margaret Keane, "Big Eyes" will be out Christmas Day.  Keane's art inspired many dolls and greeting cards during the 60s and70s. Royal's "Lonely Lisa" is one of them.  Read more about Keane and other big eyed dolls including googlies, Blythe, and Kewpies.

Search Related Topics:  keane  big eyes  royal dolls

Theriault's Discovery Day and other Auctions!
Read more about different types of doll auctions and events.

Search Related Topics:  blackler collection  theriault's  cloth dolls

Toy Soldiers IV
Part IV from an excerpt from "With Love from Tin Lizzie . . ."


Search Related Topics:  g.i.joe  galoob  women warriors


  


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Friday, December 12, 2014

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Press Release on Jumeau 201, Courtesy of Theriault...

More on the 19th century!



Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Press Release on Jumeau 201, Courtesy of Theriault...: Antique Doll Laughs its Way to a New Record A rare model form the “Series Fantastique” of French doll maker Emile Jumeau set a new ...

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014

Jumeau 201 Breaks Record for 19th Century Doll


This has to be the happiest little girl doll I've ever seen!  I do not usually drool over "high end dolls", whatever that means-but this little lady has stolen my heart.  There are only two of her we know of,  and this one was in the same collection for 50 years.  She was auctioned by Theriault's at the November "Let the Music Begin" event.  Dear winner, please drop me a line now and then to let me know how she is!!

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Neopolitan Figure, Maria Tagger Collection and Antique Doll Collector








Antique Doll Collector Magazine: Creche Dolls; See More in our December Issue, Snea...: Creche Dolls, Nativities, Santons and Santons-Angels we have Heard on High     A Memoir by your Director of Social Media My firs...

Wednesday, December 3, 2014