Theriault's Fall 2025 Doll Auction Brochure

PLAN TO ATTEND THERIAULT’S GALLERY FOR THESE AUTUMN 2025 MARQUIS AUCTIONS

Saturday, Nov 15

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

“Nonesuch”, A Marquis auction of antique dolls and playthings highlighted by the fine collection of Laurie Baker of Colorado and selections from the connoisseur collection of Sandra Ottiger of Missouri. The auction ranges from a wonderful group of rare large googly dolls to fine French fashions, from a fine early English wooden doll to rare paper mache dolls to an exceptional collection of French accessories and sewing accoutrements, and including rare dollhouses and furnishings.

Sunday, Nov 16

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

“The Legend Continues”, classic dolls of Madame Alexander featuring the private collections of Ashley Anderson of Texas and Terry Miller of South Carolina. Fashions of the Fifties are in full swing with very rare dolls, 1940s-1960s, in pristine condition, ranging from Cissy to Elise, from early 1950s school girls to stylish Cissette, including extremely rare models and costume variations.

Saturday, Dec 6

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

The Private Art Doll Collection of Richard Simmons. Contemporary doll art, often referred to as figural art, takes center stage at this extraordinary auction of the finest oneof-a-kind or extremely limited artist dolls, with examples from all categories including beautiful women, expressive children, fantasy, mythological and whimsical.

Sunday, Dec 7

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

Barbie Returns Again. Fine examples from the Barbie golden years of the early 1960s featuring all the sought-after models of Barbie, along with her many costumes, accessories, friends, and delightful little curiosities.

TSaturday, Nov 15

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland

he nearly forgotten and charming word “Nonesuch”, meaning unparalleled, a paragon, a thing without equal, seems a perfect one-word description of the rare and historically important antique dolls which are presented at Theriault’s late Autumn Marquis auction of antique dolls and playthings. The auction features the private collection of Laurie Baker of Colorado, offering the French poupées, fashion accessories, and maitrise furniture which she explored in her many well-researched articles written for Antique Doll Collector, a truly exemplary collection. Too, there are nonesuch dolls from the private collection of noted connoisseur Sandra Ottiger ranging from an extraordinary English wooden with original costume to fine early paper maches, some from notable previous collections to porcelain dolls by KPM and further very fine French poupées. A delightful contrast is also offered by the collection of John Oxley of Michigan whose fascination with googly dolls led him to assemble a grand assortment of these wide-eyed wonders, and in the private dollhouse collection with

remarkable miniature furnishings highlighted by an important dollhouse, originally featured in the Washington Doll House Museum of Flora Gill Jacobs.

And one more thing about the nostalgic word “nonesuch”, in the late 1800s, an American company bestowed this name on their famous mincemeat, a traditional filling for Thanksgiving pies. Mincemeat was made with a judicious mixture of raisins, dried apples, currents, other dried fruits, sugar and spices. Rather like a delightful doll auction. Nonesuch, indeed! x

Featuring the very fine connoisseur collections of Ashley Anderson of Texas and Terry Miller of South Carolina. In the world of Madame Alexander dolls, it is the two-decade era from post-war 40’s to mid-1960s that reigns supreme, not only in the celebration of their extraordinary dolls, but also in the ever-increasing appreciation of their couturier qualities. The designer-quality construction of costumes, the choice of superior fabrics, and the judicious selection of melodious complementary accessories are now applauded by admirers of art and costume. The Anderson and Miller Collections were leaders in this movement, and the dolls from their collections, presented in this auction, are prime proof of that. Fashions of the Fifties are in full swing with very rare dolls, 1945-1960s, in pristine condition, ranging from the redoubtable Cissy to demure Elise, from early 1950s saucy schoolgirls to stylish Cissette, including extremely rare models and costume variations. The auction includes more than 300 lots, each in pristine original condition.

You are welcome to attend the auction for bidding or bid live on the internet or live on telephone. Visit theriaults.com to view all of the auction online. The auction will also be live video streamed on the day of the auction. x

The Anderson and Miller Collections were leading in this movement, and the dolls from their collections, presented in this auction, are prime proof of that.

HeORDER THE CATALOG TODAY

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland

THE RICHARD SIMMONS

COLLECTION OF ARTIST DOLLS

made it look easy. There was possibility. There was imaginative reach. And there was always joy. Those might have been descriptions of Richard Simmons’ work in the health and fitness world which made him world-famous throughout the 1980s and 1990s. But they are also spot-on descriptions of his extraordinary private collection of fine artist dolls and imaginative art.

Richard was always a collector. In his 1999 memoir, Still Hungry After All These Years, he wrote about this, noting that his father had collected cookbooks for many years, and mused that likely he had inherited the collecting gene from his father. Richard’s first collection was art glass, and his 1980s California home was filled with extraordinary art glass sculptures. Until January 1994, that is, when the Northridge earthquake “in just half a minute turned every piece of glass that I had into glitter! From glass to glitter!” Seeking to console him, a friend sent Richard a doll. But not just any doll. It was a one-of-a-kind art doll depicting a court jester, created by noted artist Gail Lackey.

The doll was just the perfect symbol for Richard Simmons who often whimsically referred to himself as a court jester. But, too, it was an omen. Seeking out the artist who had created this magical figure, Richard became fast friends with artist Gail Lackey who, over the next decade, created other one-of-

a-kind art dolls for his collection. And then he met further collectors. There was Stephanie Blythe, Annie Wahl, Lisa Lichtenfels, Forest Rogers, Jamie Williamson, Marilyn Radzat. Jodi and Richard Creager, Maria Ahrens, Shelley Thornton and many more. Over the years, his impassioned quest to raise the doll form to a new status, an acceptance in the greater art world as figurative art, became very evident.

The art doll collection of Richard Simmons encapsulates that quest perfectly. Interviews with artists over the years relate the details of his oneof-a-kind commissions to create a very specific image or mood. Intrigued by Stephanie Blythe’s figure, The Kiss, for example, he commissioned an exquisite one-of-a-kind variation of that piece, depicting a Russian wedding couple. One-of-a-kind dolls depicting celebrity figures abound in this exquisite collection, perhaps highlighted by the renown portrait doll of Barbra Streisand created for him by Lisa Lichtenfels, unveiled in Chicago at the International Doll Art Show in 1995, and later even making a guest appearance with Simmons on the Late Show with David Letterman.

displayed each doll separately, much as a museum might do, allowing its own special qualities to stand out, seeing the doll from all angles, and paying homage to the artist’s vision.

While each of the dolls in the Richard Simmons Private Collection of Art Dolls is one-of-a-kind, or one of an extremely limited-edition, the collection is all-embracing in its themes and in its style. Classic beauties stand alongside caricatures, youth is juxtaposed against the elderly, fantasy abounds as does spot-on portraiture, tiniest miniature works pose proudly next to grand figures. There are the church ladies, there are historical figures, there are dolls notable for exceptional costuming, and others with little costuming. Fittingly in his home, Richard

Richard Simmons was not simply a private collector, however. He was a grand spokesman for the art doll, much as he was a spokesman for health and fitness. An early patron of NIADA, he was a well-known figure at conventions and an important spokesman. During the 1990s he appeared in many of the popular conferences and charity events promoting contemporary doll art, just as he welcomed artists to his California home, encouraging and inspiring their work. In the book, Contemporary American Doll Artists by Kathryn Witt, she noted a quote by Simmons that “when

you surround your environment with art, you think clearly, you’re less stressed, and more peaceful. I appreciate the discipline, the integrity and the talent of each individual artist”.

Throughout his collecting years, Richard was known for his generosity, not only in his support of artists, but also in sharing with others many of the pieces that he acquired. Yet, the very special, the pieces that meant most to him, not only for their artistry, but also for personal memories, were always the ones that he kept. According to his family, it was his wish that these works of art now be shared with others. The Private Art Doll Collection of Richard Simmons, encompassing more than 250 important pieces, will be presented at an exclusive one-owner auction by Theriault’s on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The dolls will be presented in an artquality commemorative catalog with photographs and descriptions of each of the dolls, along with a certificate indicating that the doll was featured in the Richard Simmons Private Collection. More details about the collection can be found at www.theriaults.com x

Sunday, December 7

PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET

Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland BARBIE RETURNS AGAIN

The collecting world remains in awe of America’s golden girl as more treasures appear from secretly preserved troves cherished for decades by both private collectors and original owners. This live auction will swing from the earliest years of Barbie until pop years of the 80s and 90s. The 300 lot auction ranges from dolls, including friends and family, to rare costumes and accessories. Plan to spend the day at the auction. We’d love if you

attend in person, but, if you cannot, you can view and bid at the auction via our live streaming. The auction will be posted at www.theriaults.com after November 10 and each lot has fine photographic detail and knowledgeable descriptions. You can pre-bid online, call our office with your absentee bid that we will execute for you, or call our office to make a reservation for live telephone bidding at the actual moment. x

Bidding is FUN at Theriault’s

Bid Live on the Internet

Plan to spend the day at the auction in the comfort of your home. Watch and listen to the auction live, and get ready to bid live when the dolls of your choice come up for auction.

Bid on the Telephone

Choose your dolls, and then call our office to make a reservation for telephone bidding. We call you when your dolls of choice come up for bidding, and you bid just as though you were there.

Bid Absentee

Place your bids right up to the time of auction by mail, fax, email or phone. Advise us of the lots and your top bid. We will bid for you fairly and competitively.

The JOYS of Attending Theriault’s Marquis Doll Auctions

So many reasons to come to the auction!

Start with the more than 500 wonderful dolls for auction — a veritable museum, indeed. And then consider these:

The visual joy of beautiful dolls in fine displays — dolls as they should be shown.

The good time laughter and bidding with auctioneers Stuart Holbrook and Luke Theriault.

The delight at greeting old friends and meeting new ones.

Beautiful dolls in a fun and laughter-filled weekend. What could possibly ever be better?

The world of collecting and collectors is a curious one… and it’s where Stuart Holbrook has spent most of his life.

As President of Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of antique dolls and figurative art, Stuart has traveled the world managing the often personal and always wild experience of collecting and being a collector. Now, he’s bringing his expertise and knowledge of trends to life in his new podcast, The Curious Collector.

In each episode, Stuart will share his insight, experiences and real-life stories, along with sage advice on building great collections while enjoying the happy life of a collector. No matter what you collect—whether you’re just beginning or have been at it for years—this podcast is guaranteed to surprise and enlighten, all while keeping the fire burning to find that next elusive item to add to your collection.

It’s fun—It’s fast

It’s just half a day and then you’re on your way. But it’s not for the faint of heart and it’s the best kept secret in the doll world.

It’s Theriault’s famous Ten2Go doll auction, now in its

40th year.

And here’s what it is. Simple. 400 lots are sold in just three hours. One hour inspection before the auction. Caveat emptor. Every lot starts at $10. Some lots are treasures and others are not.

It’s what old-fashioned auctions used to be. No absentee bids, no telephone bidding, no internet bidding, Only you, the others in the room and dolls.

Coming up Ten2Go Auctions

Friday, November 21, 2025 Monday, December 15, 2025

Overwhelmed?

Moving to a smaller home? Faced with handling a family estate? Or just deciding to downsize your collection.

Collectors tell us the word that most describes their feeling is “overwhelmed”.

Not to worry. For more than 50 years, Theriault’s has been the “little engine that could” in helping collectors and families accomplish that task effortlessly.

We listen to you. We evaluate your dolls and lay out a plan to accomplish your goals. And then, if you agree, we do all the work.

Our full-time professional staff travels to your home, inventories your property, carefully packs and transports in our own secure vehicles, prepares and markets your dolls for auction, and presents them to collectors worldwide whose trust in Theriault’s is borne out by the prices they are willing to bid.

You just sit back and breathe a sigh of relief.

Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriault’s,

is traveling throughout the country now, visiting with collectors by appointment. If you have questions or would like to schedule a noobligation complimentary appointment, call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com.

Call 410-224-3655 to schedule a no-obligation appointment.

“Nonesuch” Marquis Auction Catalog, “The Legend Continues” Madame Alexander and The Richard Simmons Catalog are available for $69 each or Subscribe and Save Over 60%! Or Give as a Gift!

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AUCTION SCHEDULE

Absentee, Telephone and Live Internet Bidding

We welcome absentee bidding, live telephone bidding, and live bidding on the internet. Too, you can “tunein” to the online auctions to watch and listen to each event. Questions? Give us a call and we’ll help you choose the bidding option that is best for you.

Auction Information

The auctions will take place at the Theriault’s Gallery, 2148 Renard Court, Annapolis, MD 21401. Call to reserve your seat. For auction info call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 M-F 9AM-5PM EST or go to Theriaults.com. Email queries to info@theriaults.com.