A Circle of Dolls
“A Circle of Dolls” was the theme of Theriault’s October, 1981 catalog auction, the title inspired by Frenchman architect, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, whose designs concerned the use of interlocking circles to unify people and places. This is, fittingly, the first commemorative title chosen. Highlighting the auction are dolls from the estate of Connie Frank of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, whose enthusiastic pleasure in dolls and toys graced the auction rooms of Theriault’s for nearly two decades. Softbound. 10" x 10". 140 pages.
$59.00
Catalog Lot List details
5" (13 cm.) excluding tail. Carved wooden cat with semi-hemispherical-ball socket head, glass inset eyes, carved wooden ears, jointed legs, rope tail with painted stripes, original finish with brown painted tabby stripes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Schoenhut, circa 1908. Value Points: rare early first period cat with glass eyes, carved ears and fine original painted finish.
Presale Estimate:
500/700
Realized Price:
$1,100
13" (33 cm.) and 12". Each is all-felt with center-seam and pressed facial features, disc-jointing at shoulders and hips. The groom has highly-characterized face with high domed bald pate, elongated crooked nose, stitch-shaped wide lips, stitched-on ears, green glass eyes, embroidered inverted-V brow, blushed cheeks and ears, mottled brown/grey sideburns and beard, short stocky body and over-sized feet. The bride has blue glass eyes, tiny painted lips, blushed cheeks, blonde mohair cropped wig. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Steiff (metal button on groom with underscored F). Comments: Steiff, circa 1910, the dolls are being sold from the original Pennsylvania family estate where they were costumed in commemoration of an early 1900s wedding. Also included is the original costume of man, including vest, pants, and wooden sandals stamped "Steiff". Value Points: wonderful pair enhanced by his highly-characterized features, the happy couple are wonderfully-preserved in fine tailor-made costumes, he with ivory silk vest, fine woolen formal suit, boutonniere, top hat, and she with ivory satin gown with coronet of lilies of the valley matching her bouquet, and extended train.
Presale Estimate:
4000/5500
Realized Price:
$4,000
11" (28 cm.) All-felt doll, swivel head with pressed features and center seam, blue glass inset eyes, smug lips, brunette cropped wig, disc-jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (metal Steiff button in ear with underscored F). Comments: Steiff, circa 1915. Value Points: the little urchin is wearing original costume and cap.
Presale Estimate:
900/1300
Realized Price:
$1,800
11" (28 cm.) Each is all-felt with swivel head, pressed facial features with center seam face, painted smiling lips, disc-jointing at shoulders and hips. She has light brown mohair wig with side curls, black bead eyes, and is wearing original undergarments and shoes, (non-original) vintage dress; he has cropped short white mohair wig, blue glass eyes and is wearing original green wool felt suit with striped cotton shirt and felt shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (each with Steiff metal button with underscored F). Comments: Germany, Steiff, circa 1915. Value Points: delightful pair of shyly-smiling children from early Steiff production.
Presale Estimate:
1400/1800
Realized Price:
$2,700
17" (43 cm.) All-felt doll, swivel head with pressed facial features, center facial seam, pronounced nose, black small bead eyes, long pointy nose, painted mouth and cheek blush, stitched large ears, cropped short mohair hair behind bald crown, elongated slender torso and legs, bony-shaped legs, over-sized feet with leather shoes. Condition: generally excellent, one tiny face moth hole, three small moth holes at back of jacket. Marks: (original Steiff metal button with underscored F). Comments: Steiff, circa 1915, from their early character doll series, the model known as Professor. Value Points: rare early model with original costume, button in ear.
Presale Estimate:
1200/1600
Realized Price:
$2,600
11" (28 cm.) Bisque socket head, large blue glass googly sleep and side-glancing eyes, dark eyeliner, painted upper lashes, side-stroke brows with ochre outline, tiny pug nose, closed mouth with impish smile, brunette mohair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body with side-hip jointing. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: C made in Germany 7 JDK 221 Ges Gesch. Comments: Kestner, circa 1912, the model was inspired by Rose O'Neill's composition-bodied Kewpie which was also made by Kestner. Value Points: the beloved imp is here in most appealing size, has choice bisque and painting, original body and body finish, and original costume including shoes.
Presale Estimate:
2800/3500
Realized Price:
$5,200
7" (18 cm.) Solid domed bisque socket head, sculpted pixie-like golden hair, painted extra-large googly eyes gazing to the right, painted curly upper lashes, dot brows, O-shaped mouth with defined space between the lips, composition five-piece body with painted shoes and socks, antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (Goebel crown symbol) 12/0 x Germany. Comments: Goebel, circa 1920. Value Points: wonderful expression with wide-eyed look mirrored by shape of mouth.
Presale Estimate:
300/500
Realized Price:
$700
16" (41 cm.) All-wooden doll with socket head, carved hair with forelock and side curls peeking from beneath the sculpted cap, intaglio blue eyes, white eyedots, fringed brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with center accent line, wooden spring-jointed body, antique costume including Schoenhut shoes. Condition: generally excellent, few tiny flakes on bonnet. Marks: Schoenhut Doll Pat. Jan 17, '11 USA. Comments: Schoenhut, introduced in 1912 and made for four years only, the very rare carved bonnet girl was the last of the carved hair girls made by Schoenhut. Value Points: fine original painting is wonderfully preserved, the hat decorated with classic yellow and red flowers and green leaves, with gilt banding.
Presale Estimate:
1800/2500
Realized Price:
$6,750
14" (36 cm.) All-cloth doll with pressed and painted facial features, swivel head, painted brown hair with swirling curls at forehead, painted grey/green shaded eyes, black and brown upper eyeliner, one-stroke short brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, stitch-jointed arms, disc-jointed legs. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Kathe Kruse 11900 (foot), 11900 (paper tag on wrist). Comments: Kathe Kruse, circa 1940s. Value Points: pristine unplayed with condition, the doll wears original folklore "dirndl" costume with embroidered back of cap, shoes and socks, and is preserved in original box stamped "dirndl".
Presale Estimate:
1400/1800
Realized Price:
$1,900
5" (13 cm.) Arranged upon a base with kid bellows is a scene comprising wooden cottage with painted windows and doors, flower pots arranged on shelf in front of which is standing a paper mache woman who is feeding a large and colorful rooster and two little hens. Condition: generally excellent, bellows not functioning. Comments: Germany, circa 1880. Value Points: wonderfully detailed toy with colorful elements.
Presale Estimate:
400/500
Realized Price:
$850