Founded in 1970 by Florence and George Theriault, the firm has specialized exclusively in the appraisal and auction of antique dolls and childhood playthings throughout its 30-year history. The firm's offices and cataloging center are headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, although its auctions are conducted in major cities throughout the United States as well as online. Also, because of Theriault's stellar reputation, collectors and museums worldwide participate in bidding on dolls through a well-developed absentee bid system. In addition, collectors and estate specialists worldwide - from Australia to France to every small town in America - have commissioned their dolls to Theriault's for auction. Theriault's was an early leader in the movement toward specialization within the auction industry. "Traditionally, collectors have been confounded by the contradiction of desiring an object, yet fearing its flaws," noted George Theriault. We wanted to create an auction firm with a profound knowledge of the subject of the dolls, as well as the mere ability to present an auction. The principle has been well-served, not only offering assurance to the collector of dolls, but also ensuring sellers that their dolls will be marketed intelligently. Theriault's has been a world-leader in programs to assure collectors that acquisitions have been wisely made. They are regarded as the most consumer-oriented firm in the entire auction industry offering the unique Gold Horse Guarantee on many of their finest dolls. Such programs have earned Theriault's the distinctive international Jumeau Award as the finest doll auction firm in the world. The development of Theriault's website, www.theriaults.com, continues this consumer-orientation offering informative features such as the question/answer column "Ask Florence", complete listings of all auction catalogues with selling prices, and doll evaluation services. In 1995 Theriault's celebrated its 25th anniversary and announced the appointment of Stuart Holbrook as President of Theriault's. Holbrook, along with his brother Luke Theriault, is continuing the family tradition of personal attention and professional service to all doll collectors into the 21st century. Although headquartered at 2148 Renard Court in Annapolis, Maryland, Theriault's doll auctions are conducted onsite in major cities throughout the United States, from Denver to Dallas, Orlando to Los Angeles. More than 35 doll auctions are conducted annually ranging from highly specialized thematic sales to prestige collection sales to budget-minded beginner-collector auctions. And Theriault's absentee bidding program allows collectors worldwide to participate in these auctions whether they can be present or not. Collectors worldwide can confidently bid at Theriault's by mail, phone, fax or web. "It's great for them and great for sellers, too", says Stuart Holbrook. Theriault's is in every home, too. Their website www.theriaults.com offers collectors the opportunity to bid at exclusive online auctions as well as access to information about onsite auctions. Theriault's is everywhere. Through seminars, lectures and appraisal clinics they have appeared in a multitude of small towns and larger cities. Their appraisers have traveled every state of the nation, and internationally including France, Germany, Italy, England, Australia, Japan and South America, visiting collectors and evaluating collections. Up-to-the-minute information about Theriault events is always available at www.theriaults.com. Theriault's is founded on traditional values, among which is the belief that a business must return value to the community that supports it. To that end, Theriault's has been a leader in education of doll collectors. "It's our abiding belief that the best collectors are educated collectors," says Florence Theriault. Theriault's appraisers have freely contributed their time and knowledge at collector gatherings ranging from small-town club meetings to international conferences. Informative articles concerning doll collecting and the history of dolls have been contributed to various journals. An extensive research library is maintained by Theriault's and its sister company, Gold Horse Publishing, that has published more than 60 books on specialized subjects of doll collecting, with a network of knowledgeable and respected authors. Theriault's has sponsored a number of public appraisal clinics to the benefit of museums and public libraries and has offered a free booklet Doll Identification Guide for more than a decade. Three-day educational seminars sponsored by Theriault's have been conducted in major cities around the United States. During 2001, an international friendship exhibit, The Little Prince Doll, Grand Tour, sponsored by Theriault's traveled around the world for the benefit of two children's charities. Currently in planning is a scholarship program for the furtherance of historic doll studies. Theriault's is its people, ranging from a team of doll specialists to customer service representatives to behind-the-scene staff whose simple goal is excellence. "Compromise of excellence does not come lightly to this firm," says President Stuart Holbrook. Stuart Holbrook is also head auctioneer of the firm with nearly two decades of doll background, assisted by his brother Luke Theriault. Florence Theriault, who has authored more than 25 books on the subject of dolls and is the chief doll auction cataloger, is considered one of the world's leading experts on the subject. Other full-time specialists include those in 20th Century American Dolls as well as Teddy Bears, and a team of curators and specialists in antique doll costumes are also in-house. An entire staff is dedicated to the development of online doll auctions having the quality reputation of the established onsite auctions. A network of international doll experts and authors are also available to Theriault's staff for consultation. An entire in-house art and photography department with state-of-the-art equipment ensures the production of art-quality catalogs. The staff of the curatorial and exhibit department prepares dolls for auction. Auction aides are skilled at packing collections and ensuring the smooth flow of auctions. The customer service staff is always available to assist collectors with questions ranging from "what doll should I buy in the next catalog" to "how do I sell my dolls" to "when does my subscription expire?" Behind the scenes are special event and marketing experts, and office, accounting and shipping staff. The Theriault people are a team, working together to ensure the best possible service and commitment to its buying and selling customers and to the world of dolls.