First Significant European Doll and Toy Museum To Be Offered In The United States
The auction will be held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, over a course of three days, from Friday through Sunday. This is a historic auction, since this is the first significant doll and toy museum from Europe to be offered in the United States trough an American auction house. The museum collection encompasses thousands of commercial toys and doll produced in Europe from the late 18th century through the early 1920s. Oddly enough, the collection does not include any LEGO blocks or toys. Instead, it is a collection of childhood items before the LEGO Group was founded in 1932 (a separate and archive in Billund showcases LEGO pieces – this is not being sold.
What is of Interest to Doll Collectors in the Collection?
Many travelers considered this one of the finest, if not the finest, antique doll and toy collection in Europe. I’ve spent considerable time pouring over the auction catalogs from this auction, and to me the most interesting items for doll collectors are the wide variety of early china and papier mache dolls, the type of which are seldom offered in the United States. Also of interest are many wonderful miniature items – dollhouses, dollhouse dolls, and other tiny, delightful things.
You Can Have A Look At The Dolls or ‘Attend’ The Auction via Proxibid Online
One of the great things about the Internet age is that you don’t have to travel to see the collection, or even to bid on items. The entire 3-day catalog of over 3,000 pieces at auction is online. You can simply browse the items and read their descriptions, but you can also register and bid either before the auction or live during the live Proxibid coverage of the auction. If you decide to bid during the auction, be quick about it—the technology is very, very good, but there still tends to be a slight lag between Internet and real-time bidding
Florence Theriault Walk-Throughs Of The Collection Will Be Broadcast On The Internet
As an extra treat for collectors who would like to be in Las Vegas to see the collection themselves but cannot, Florence Theriault will be conducting three separate 30 minute walk-thru events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday highlighting some of the most important and unique items of each day's auction, and Proxibid will be broadcasting a continuous loop of each day's walk-thru prior to each auction via an online video feature. I’ve always loved getting to hear Florence talk at auctions such as this, and this is a unique opportunity for collectors who have never heard Florence live. The videos will be available for viewing on the day of each auction (Friday, May 19, at 1:15pm- 3pm Pacific, and Saturday & Sunday May 20-21, 9:15 am – 11 am PST). To see them, visit the Theriault’s site and click on the Proxibid button. From there you will need to register and you will find the Audio/Video button.
Finally if you fall in love with the collection online and just have to have the catalog books in your doll book collection, Theriault’s is offering a two-hardcover book, boxed catalog set.
