When collectors gathered at Theriault’s October 11 doll auction, the mood was good cheer and enthusiasm, with prices largely soaring above their presale estimates. “I trust the market in tangibles, and I definitely trust Theriault’s to be offering superior dolls”, said one collector, adding with a smile, “plus, my dolls just make me happy.”
Dolls definitely made the life of Madalaine Selfridge happy for more than half a century. It was her collection that was being sold and collectors who had dreamed for decades about the dolls, photographed in her landmark books of the 1960s, Wendy and Friends, Dimples and Sawdust and Dolls, Images of Love , were all too ready to capture that happiness †along with a doll or two.
The auction began with a trilogy of wooden-bodied French poupees selling at $6,750, $8,750 and $5,500, easily topping their presale estimates, and the bidding never relented. Other French dolls included three classic model Bru Jne bebes: a size 6 model went to $26,000, size 1 moved swiftly to $19,000, and a size 2 with intriguing provenance was $30,000, nearly doubling its presale estimate.
Bebes by Jumeau continued their popularity climb: a tiny size 1 tete model in couturier costume was $8,750; two size 9 Depose EJ bebes were $8,750 and $11,500; a size 12 Jumeau Triste soared to $19,000; and an unusual 12-inch tete model bebe with Polichinelle body and costume doubled its presale estimate at $10,500.
A 13-inch kid-bodied F.G. bebe was $6,700, an 11-inch composition-bodied model was $3,600, and a 15-inch model with all-wooden body soared to $7,000, all topping high presale estimates. Other French dolls included the rare Leverd & Cie poupee that topped at $17,500; a 14-inch Figure C by Jules Steiner with original costume from Au Nain Bleu, the Nineteenth Century Paris luxury toy store, topping at $8,250; another Figure C Steiner, 28 inches, selling at $9,000; and a tiny 11-inch Schmitt et Fils bebe that went to $9,500
Selfridge, whose collection was being sold, attended the auction, and was generous in speaking with collectors and relating stories about her dolls, most which had been attained by her nearly a half-century before.
One doll, a wistful-faced bisque doll by Bruno Schmidt, graced the cover of all three books authored by Selfridge, and had also been featured on the cover of the Theriault auction catalog. Collectors universally refer to this model, marked 2033, as “Wendy,” but few realized that the name had been given to the model by Selfridge 40 years previously when she penned her book. “I just always thought it was the manufacturer’s name for the doll,” avowed more than one collector. The 16-inch doll sold for $16,000, nearly tripling its presale estimate, and a smaller 13-inch model went for $9,500.
German character dolls were strong, in general. A frowning faced boy, model 8544, by Gebruder Heubach was $10,500; a 24-inch model of Simon and Halbig’s 1303 Native American topped at $12,000; and a 13-inch example of early painted-eye character by Marseille was $13,500. The painted-eye art character dolls, in fact, were strong throughout: Kley and Hahn’s 520 girl went to $8,000, and an 18-inch character marked “C.P. 524” by Catterfelder Puppenfabrick was $5,750.
Glass-eyed character dolls included Hertel and Schwab’s 134 model at $6,500 and their 149 model at $11,500, easily topping high presale estimates. Googly dolls continued in popularity: a 13-inch 221 model by Kestner was $8,000, while another 221 model, at 16 inches, was $10,500. Two AM 241 googlies were each $3,750, Kestner’s composition bodied Kewpie was $6,250, and a large 12-inch all-bisque Our Fairy went to $1,400.
Little dolls brought big prices. Examples of all- bisque characters and mignonettes included a 6-inch French barefoot girl at $1,900, 7-inch Asian girl with upturned toe slippers at $1,100, 8-inch SH 886 with brown ankle boots at $2,200, 8-inch Kestner known as “French Wrestler” at $2,200, 10-inch barefoot girl at $4,000, 9-inch Kestner with Bru-look-alike expression (with restored throat) at $5,750, and a tiny 5-inch Baby Bo-kaye at $1,800.
Celebrity dolls continued in popularity, particularly those by American doll makers from the 1920s/1940s era. There was W.C. Fields that topped at $3,000, Jackie Robinson who batted his way to $1,700, and two 11-inch Shirley Temple dolls reached $1,700 and $1,400. A 16-inch composition Scootles designed by Rose O’Neill was $1,100, and a complete set of Tiny Betty Birthday Dolls by Alexander went to $1,900.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, www.theriaults.com or 800-638-0422.
