Typesetting copy

1.jpg

The first lot to cross the block set the bar when this Size 1 Bebe Bru in all original costume and shoes achieved $36,000.

16.jpg

A rare German bisque lady with glass eyes and sculpted bonnet soared to $7,250 despite two hairlines on her shoulderplate.

266

At $40,000, the top lot of the auction was this 18-inch Bebe Modele with all wooden fully articulated body by Leon Casimir Brue being sold from the family of its original owner.

Jumeau trio

Bebes by Jumeau were highlighted by this lively trio (from left), a 14-inch premiere bebe at $7,000, a 14-inch Depose model at $7,000 and a 15-inch EJ bebe at $7,500.

FOR 10/12

BEBE BRUS TOP OFFERINGS AT THERIAULT’S DOLL AUCTION w/5 cuts

avv/gs set 10/4 #714826

BELLEVUE, WASH. — Theriault’s of Annapolis, Md., named its September 22 doll auction “Images,” but when collectors saw the auction, they knew this was no image, this was the real thing. Two years ago, Theriault’s auctioned the doll collection of Marion Holt of Pennsylvania upon her move to a retirement home. At that time she had saved some of her favorite dolls to accompany her on that move and these dolls highlighted the “Images” auction.

The auction got off to a fine start with the first lot, a rare petite size 1 Bebe Bru Jne in original costume and signed shoes, that soared with vigorous bidding to a record $36,000, more than doubling its high estimate. Yet that Bru was not the top price achieved for a Bru Bebe in the auction; that honor going to a wooden-bodied Bebe Bru Modele being sold from the original family owners. It topped at $40,000, doubling its low estimate.

Tucked into a back closet at Holt’s retirement residence were two small doll trunks. The trunks were not much to look at, tattered and worn. But inside was a fine collection of well preserved antique French doll accessories from the 1870 era. Parasol after parasol, little purses, fans, lorgnettes, jewelry, bonnets and more had been neatly wrapped and tucked away many years ago.

One tiny 8-inch silk covered parasol, referred to as “pagoda” because of its shape, sold for $1,600. A 7-inch cream silk parasol with opalescent ball hand grip and original box realized $1,500. A small leather “necessaire” with dainty toiletries for lady dolls and bearing a label from Paris shop “Magasin des Enfants” topped at $3,600. Across the board, accessories quadrupled or more their estimate. There were 12 lots that each contained a number of accessories, estimated at $400–$500, each realized in the $2,000 range.

The market for little dolls also continued strong at the Theriault auction. All-bisque mignonettes by French makers of the 1880 era included a rare jointed elbow model that soared to $3,400 and a dainty little 5-inch girl with painted peach-colored shoes that went for $1,700, each topping their estimates.

An unusual 4-inch all-bisque man with sculpted circus performer costume went to $1,600 and a 6-inch all-bisque girl with muscular legs balanced by dainty ankles soared to $1,900.

Lady dolls by both French and German doll makers included a 17-inch model with wooden body and boutique label of Maison Simonne in Paris, circa 1863, that fetched $1,100; 14-inch model of the same went for $6,500 and another French lady by Duval-Denis with a trunk and extensive wardrobe sold for $6,750.

Topping a group of French bisque bebes by Emile Jumeau was Bebe Triste, the sad-faced model made about 1884. In rare size 9 (the smallest size made) and being sold from the original family owners, the doll topped at $28,000. A 12-inch EJ model went for $6,750 and a 26-inch Depose model topped at $7,500.

Theriault’s doll auctions are known for their diversity. A 26-inch Nineteenth Century wooden mannequin model sold for $3,800, a rare bisque taufling baby by Jules Steiner went five times its estimate, finally topping at $15,500, and a 22-inch papier mache lady with old paper label “costumed as bride for Duc de Bearn in 1827” reached $4,500.

A lot of six German dollhouse gentlemen sold at $3,000, a large 19-inch composition Pinocchio was $900, and a tiny 8-inch Mr Peanuts danced to a modest $300.

Other highlights included a Schoenhut circus at $4,400, an unusual 9-inch glass-eyed version of Baby Stuart was popular at $2,400, doubling its high estimate, while a larger doll by Gebruder Heubach, measuring 30-inch and having intaglio eyes and sculpted hair, model 8597, sold for a strong $7,500. A 3-inch silver trophy cup inscribed “Doll Show, Prettiest Doll 1916” realized $400.

Theriault’s next catalog doll auction is November 11 at the Governor Morris Westin Hotel in Morristown, N.J. The auction titled “When the Circus Came to Town” features the doll collection of Mr and Mrs. Charles Hall of Lockport, N.Y., as well as automata and music boxes.

For more information, 800-638-0422 or visit www.theriaults.com.