Landmark, The Margaret Lumia Collection

Only rarely do collections appear with such significance that they can rightfully be labeled legendary or lodestar. Or “Landmark”. Which is the auction title of the collection of Margaret Lumia. Chosen with a discerning eye, acquired with a dogged persistence, and nurtured carefully during their time in her care, her dolls offer today’s collectors a rare opportunity to see – and, perhaps win – a magnificent treasure from time past. The collection ranges from fine early wood and paper mache to superb French bébés and poupées, to the rarest of the German bisque art characters, mostly all in original costumes. There are dollhouses, early doll furniture, and more. Softbound. 10" x 10". 204 pages.
$79.00
Catalog Lot List details
17" (43 cm.) Bisque socket head, dark blue glass sleep eyes which operate from a lever at back of head, painted lashes, thickly brushstroked brows with feathered detail, rose-blushed eyeshadow, accented eye corners and nostrils, slightly parted outlined lips, two rows of tiny porcelain teeth, pierced ears, brunette mohair wig, French composition fully jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: J. Steiner Bte SGDG Paris Fre B 11 (head) (original Steiner label on torso and signed J. Steiner eyes). Comments: Jules Steiner, circa 1885. Value Points: most endearing boy with beautiful decoration of eyes, wire lever eye movements, original signed body, wonderful antique teal blue silk costume with elaborate metallic trim, antique boots, carrying brass bugle. Ex-Lucy Morgan Collection.
Presale Estimate:
4000/5500
Realized Price:
$4,500
18" (46 cm.) Bisque shoulderhead with very plump face and defined double chin, textured complexion, cobalt blue glass inset eyes with heavily-modeled eyelids, delicately-painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth modeled as though open with parted lips revealing two rows of tiny sculpted teeth, unpierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, plump kid poupee body with gusset jointing at hips and knees, bisque arms to above the elbows, lovely antique dress, undergarments, woven bonnet with arrangements of flowers, stockings, ivory satin shoes marked C.C. Condition: generally excellent, few original kiln specks on face. Comments: French, circa 1860, the maker of this very rare early period poupee is indefinite; a near duplicate model with painted eyes was featured on the cover of Doll News in Spring 1997 and also on the cover of Lady Dolls of the 19th Century by Florence Theriault, with possible attributions to Adelaide Huret or Georges Most who registered a French design in 1860 for sculpted teeth in dolls (see Encyclopedia of French Dolls by Theimer, page 419). Value Points: extremely rare doll with exceptional sculpting around the eyes, exquisitely-detailed teeth, rare early body with bisque arms, lovely original costume.
Presale Estimate:
11,000/16,000
Realized Price:
$9,500
12" (30 cm.) x 9" box. The heavy card stock box has lithographed cover image of a young girl at baking table, and opens to reveal well-fitted interior containing blue enamelware including rare funnel, sieve and more, along with cups and saucers, casserole pot, linens, cutlery, a cardboard box designed to hold ginger cookies, and a cook book by Anna Jager with many German-language recipes and household tips. Generally excellent. Germany, circa 1900.
Presale Estimate:
700/900
Realized Price:
$550
17" (43 cm.) Of finely grained exotic satinwood and mahogany, with arched crest having inlay fan design and a leather center panel with raised design of sunflowers that are heightened with painted detail, and with inlay marquetry borders. Excellent condition. English, 19th century.
Presale Estimate:
1100/1500
Realized Price:
$700
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head with glowing amber-tinted complexion, brown glass paperweight inset eyes with unique tilt of eye socket, black eyeliner, lushly-painted lashes, brushstroked dark brown brows feathered upward at the outer ends, accented nostrils, closed mouth with richly-shaded lips, pierced ears, black human hair wig in upswept coiffure, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 9 (head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1885, early period tete model with original straight wrist body which has original painted finish exactly complementing the facial complexion. From the series of exotic dolls introduced by Jumeau, this model was likely influenced by the Japonisme movement that swept Paris during the 1880s. Value Points: very rare doll preserved in impeccable condition, with flawless glowing complexion, original body and body finish, and superb original couturier silk Asian costume with embroidered details, hair ornaments, and original silk brocade heeled shoes with leather soles that are gilt lettered "Bebe Jumeau Med d'Or Paris", size 9.
Presale Estimate:
25,000/35,000
Realized Price:
$60,000
28" (71 cm.) Bisque socket head with slender elongated facial modeling of lady, brown glass "flirty" eyes, dark eyeliner, heavily-modeled eyelids, mohair lashes, painted curly lashes, slightly-modeled brushstroked brows with feathered details, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth modeled as though open in a dimpled smiling expression, row of painted teeth, well-modeled unpierced ears, auburn mohair extended-length wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, wearing antique costume with undergarments and kidskin shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 1388 Germany Simon & Halbig S&H 12. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1910. Value Points: extremely rare model, whose rarity is rivaled by her exceptional quality of sculpting, bisque and painting of nearly-lifelike features, fine antique wig, original body and body finish. Ex-personal collection of Richard Wright from whose estate auction the doll was acquired by Margaret Lumia.
Presale Estimate:
18,000/24,000
Realized Price:
$28,000
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head with angular slender face depicting an older boy, painted blue eyes set in well-defined sockets, black upper eyeliner, one-stroke brown brows, closed mouth with full lips, solemn expression, brunette human hair, composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 150 S&H 2. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1910, created for the art reform movement. Value Points: very rare model with superlative bisque and painting, fine lustrous complexion enhance the deeply-sculpted features, original body and body finish, antique costume comprising brown woolen short pants, brushed woolen vest, cotton shirt, cap, brown socks, and rare saddle boots, along with silver pin "Baseball Fan 1908".
Presale Estimate:
12,000/18,000
Realized Price:
$22,000
10" (25 cm.) The three-shelved etagere is fashioned of elegantly-grained tulipwood borders enclosing center panels of elaborate marquetry which is repeated on the single drawer front, with cast bronzed legs having mask figurals at each corner and hoof feet. The drawer opens to reveal a cast brass plate with the incised inscription "Huret". Excellent condition. French, circa 1860, the prestige firm of Maison Huret specialized in creating elegant "real people" furnishings in the 18th century court manner; for a very few years, after Adelaide Huret presented her luxury poupee, the firm presented the same furnishings in a size for display with that doll; no other example of this superb masterpiece is known to exist.
Presale Estimate:
4500/6500
Realized Price:
$19,000
16" (41 cm.) Hand-pressed bisque swivel head with plump facial modeling on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate, painted blue eyes with sculpting detail of eye sockets and rich decorative glaze on the lower eyes, heavily modeled eyelids with black eye-liner, delicately painted lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth, accented lips, unpierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, original gutta percha poupee body based upon the Huret depose with jointing at hips, knees, shoulders and elbows. Condition: generally excellent, some typical restoration of body. Marks: Medaille d'Argent Huret 22 Boulevard Montmartre Paris Exposition Univers. 1867 (torso stamp). Comments: Adelaide Huret, circa 1865. Value Points: a fabulous example of the signature French doll, having desirable traits of swivel head, uniquely painted eyes, unique deposed Huret body in superb original condition, wearing antique costume of her era, including cream leather slippers (unsigned) in the Huret manner.
Presale Estimate:
19,000/24,000
Realized Price:
$19,000
2" (5 cm.) inside head width. Of very fine woven tulle with two woven wire frames that are covered with wrapped silk and ruffled lace, the bonnet is resting in a wooden box with blue brocade, the box having a center medallion courtly image. Excellent condition. Circa 1865.
Presale Estimate:
300/500
Realized Price:
$850