New Doll Books and Recent Finds

Recently, I was able to bid and win a library of 13 vintage doll books, including all five of Pat Smith's Modern Collector's Dolls series, and the two volume hard bound series of Antique Dolls. There was a Coleman, Collectors' Book of Doll Clothes, and Carl Fox's, The Doll. Also, Westphal's doll repair book, and two books on making dolls, and Seeley's Doll Collecting for Fun and Profit. They were all in mint shape, and some had fliers for doll shows long ago, and tidbits of information. My husband posted the silent auction bid, and I didn't think I had won, but I did! Below, I will post Stuart's ten favortie dolls from the Ackerman auction. This is not an ad for the auction house at all; I am reposting his comments on the dolls. Photos won't show, but you can check online for the bid number. They are very unusual, and I like that he includes his five year old daughter and lets her browse through the catalog. I started "seriously" collecting at age 3, and by age 7 was reading John Noble and Helen Young on dolls. One is never to old to start collecting and appreciating dolls, I say. So, I'm posting this as more information for collectors. Would love to hear from anyone familiar with automatons, or who loves the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret or the film Hugo. I have a project coming up. We also, as lovers of metal dolls, say prayer and remember The Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher. She was someone we at The Museum Admire very much. I have a pewter necklace I like to wear with a saying attributed to her: " I can be very patient as long as I have my way in the end." Evelyn Ackerman was a personal friend for a number of years. I spent many an afternoon with her and Jerry in their lovely home in Culver City, CA surrounded by her own designs which I became so fond of, as well as the doll collection that mingled so well. It was a perfect environment for me in juxtaposing two of the things I love so much: Contemporary Design and Dolls. As such, I thought I would share a few of my favorite things from Evelyn’s collection that will be featured this weekend at our grand Los Angeles auction event. I have been very fortunate with doll finds lately, though I've not really looked for them. Several good foreign dolls from Antigua, Guatemala, Mexico, China, and Japan have turned up at antique stores and Goodwills. We added a set of childrens transferware to the museum, and a funny folk pencil with a doll head carved on the end; her spiky hair stands up all over. I found two bags for less than a dollar each of vintage 60s and 70s small dolls from Kamar and Ideal, in great shape, and a vintage #5 Barbie and First Midge in the red case complete with all sorts of Barbie labelled clothing, too, and a small German Bisque with a lovely paler complextion and sleep eyes. She was almost new, but with original clothing and shoes. Her wig may be a vintage replacement. I have enjoyed finding English tins with children and golliwogs, and a few all bisque dolls in unexpected places. I hope spring doll hunts are as fruitful for everyone out there. From Theriault's: Lot 7... So old in so many ways! I bet they have a few stories to tell. Or, maybe not, as I imagine life was a simple affair for this couple. The details are remarkable in the sculpting when you consider just how tiny they are. Lot 200... Well, it’s my daughter Kinley’s favorite - so it has to be one of mine. As we would look through the catalog it was this piece that she kept coming back to over and over and creating some imaginative scene that only a 5-year old could conjure up. Isn’t that point though? So much today leaves the imagination to the creation rather than the child. What is so beautiful about vignettes like this is that it presents a canvas to a child - or to a collector - in which the fantasies can be endless. Lot 134... A doll I oftentimes commented to Evelyn about in how I admired the emotions the face contained. Sad and somewhat withdrawn - but stoic still. To me, for a doll so early, the original finish, albeit worn, is part of the charm. Lot 224... A fetching whimsical toy that provides the collector’s eye with every joy that is childhood: horses, dolls, fantasy, parade. It is a wonderfully happy piece. Lot 242... I used to joke with Evelyn that he looks like a “player.” I can almost hear this elegant man whispering to a lady; “Would you like to come upstairs to see my etchings?” Lot 293... As a young boy I used to dream of growing up and having my very own train or caravan that I lived on and would take me all over the country. It would be elegantly appointed and my traveling home. I think it came from watching too many episodes of Wild Wild West! This piece kind of reminds me of that and, as a result, brings a smile to my face as I peer inside. I think I could do without the sewing machine though! Lot 42... I feel that the Porcelain Rohmer has yet to truly develop the appreciation and following that it deserves. I love how they are so easily recognized with such a distinctive face and design. This example is one of the nicest you could find with such a complete and wonderfully assembled Trousseau. Lot 17... Oh, that hat!!!! Lot 29... The H, for me, is still the consummate classic Bebe. It has all the lines and look of the traditional bebe face while giving us the distinctive characteristic of the H model that is so easily identifiable. There is nothing quite like it. For me, this is a must-have example for the collector of small bebes has so few of the H model ever appear in this size. Lot 185... A completely sentimental pick for my favorite item. This dome and assemblage sat alone atop a mid-century contemporary sideboard that graced the living room of the Ackerman home. Every visit meant a peek inside as it seemed to represent for me all that Evelyn loved in dolls. Its loving placement will forever be etched in my memory. To see all of the lots in the auction "Small Courtesies", click here. To order the auction catalog, “Small Courtesies” click here. For more details about the auction, click here.