Lenci Collector News
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The Saturday auction, November 19, features 300 rare and exquisite antique dolls and automata, highlighted by objects from the Spelling collection. The antique doll auction will also feature fine selections from other private estates including that of Jeanne Dailey of Milford Center, Ohio, the Kathe Kruse dolls of a private collector from the Netherlands, and two wonderful private collections of rare Lenci dolls in superb original condition.
Featured on the cover of the antique doll catalog “Many Wonderful Things” is the extremely rare art character doll, model 106, by Kammer and Reinhardt, of which only a few examples are known to exist. “We were delighted to learn of this doll from a private Midwest collection, and then delighted even more at its superb state of preservation. This doll is truly a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for a connoisseur collector”, said Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriaults.
The auction, in fact, is peopled with dolls that seldom come to view. There is the dainty and oh-so-rare Series B bebe by Jules Steiner in a diminutive 8 1/2” size 4/0. There is a grand-sized black paper mache child, possibly made by American folk artist Leo Moss. An outstanding large poured wax English doll with completely original costume, poses alongside the very rare American Bye-lo, handmade of wax by Grace Story Putnam of which few are known to exist. Jumeau bebes are always beautiful, but when wearing their original Jumeau couturier costumes, they are unsurpassed; examples are presented at the Saturday auction. There are, also, outstanding bebes by Leon Casimir Bru (including one bebe in her original trunk with original trousseau), Schmitt et Fils, and Jules Steiner, and an exquisite early period A.T. bebe by Thuillier with her original costume and signed shoes. Fine poupees, some with fine couturier original costumes, and some with rare bodies including a wooden-bodied portrait Jumeau, make their runway appearance, too. Of particular note is a fine collection of 20 early dolls by Lenci in fresh and vibrant condition, ranging from salon ladies to fashionable children. A collection of Kathe Kruse dolls also includes many rare early models. For lovers of German bisque character children there is a bounty, too, ranging from the beloved art character series of Kammer and Reinhardt, to delightful googlies, to rarely-found dolls from firms such as Bawo and Dotter.
And, of course, the automata! Beautiful bisque children in their original couturier costumes from the 19th century hands of Eugenie Lambert, stand alongside the breath-taking exhibition pieces of Vichy. Ladies play the piano or strum the mandolin, Little Tich relentlessly tips his hat and taps his foot, Egyptian ladies of the court elegantly pluck harps, and a pair of mischievous clowns tease each other with friendly little kicks. There are the beautiful ladies whose baskets of flowers actually hide special surprises, the magicians who delight with different objects each time the table is tapped, and an outstanding 27” tall bisque portrait lady by Vichy, of which no other is known in this size, likely created as an exhibition model.
A 140 page gorgeous full-color catalog of antique dolls and automata will be available for $49 and can be ordered at www.theriaults.com or by calling 800-638-0422. CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE NOW.
The superb dolls of Madame Alexander of New York, featured in the November 20 Sunday auction, are, fittingly, considered the aristocracy of American dolls, not only for their subject matter as queens and princesses and 19th century elegant ladies, but also for the luxurious detail with which they and their costumes were created. Hundreds of unique examples of these dolls peopled the Spelling gallery, mostly from the vintage golden years of the 1950s, each perfectly preserved. The auction will feature 350 outstanding examples including the rarest early portrait models such as Victorian Bride, red- haired Pink Champagne lady, Judy portrait, and Deborah Ballerina. There are Godey ladies and gentlemen, rare models from the Coronation series including Estrella, dolls from the Me and My Shadow series including Mary Louise, Victoria and Agatha, four unique dolls from the Biblical series and a baker’s dozen of rare dolls created exclusively for FAO Schwarz during the 1950s. “Most of these dolls are so rare that they only appear on the market every ten years or so”, notes cataloguer Florence Theriault, adding “And to find them in such impeccable condition is just pure pleasure”.
A 140 page gorgeous full-color catalog is available for $49 with after-auction prices and can be ordered at www.theriaults.com or by calling 800-638-0422. CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE NOW.
The auctions are available for viewing online at www.theriaults.com (click on the button for proxibid). For collectors who, sadly, cannot attend the fun of the auction in person, other bidding options are available: absentee bidding, pre-bid online, or bid live online at the actual time of the auction. For information about these bidding means, call 800-638-0422 or email info@theriaults.com. A printed description of all of the lots is available by fax or post for $20; call 800-638-0422 to order.
