Museum Is The Life’s Work of One Man
The auction was held by Theriault’s, the doll auction house located in Annapolis, Maryland. The auction was held in Newport Beach, California. The museum was the life’s work of Vaclav Sladky, a native of Czechoslovakia who escaped the then-Communist country to go to Vienna with one suitcase. A few years later, he found one small doll at a flea market which started a quarter-century of doll collecting and doll research which led to his museum.
Great Variety Of Dolls Showcased
His collection comprised antique dolls of every imaginable type including French and German bisque including ladies, children and characters, and also antique toys, dollhouses and other miniatures. Mr. Sladky was able to attend the auction and say a final goodbye to the dolls. Although the museum is gone, he will continue to have dolls as a part of his life in Vienna at his new Doll Hospital and Shop.
Opportunity To See The Vision Of One Noted Collector
I had a wonderful time at the auctions although due to very high prices (often well over estimates) I only purchased a few dolls. There was a large crowd at the auction of both veteran and new antique doll collectors. It is always especially wonderful to attend an auction preview for an auction that is of one collection or museum and see, in total, the vision of one noted collector or group.
Notable Items Sold With Prices Realized
Some of the notable items sold at the auction included a Wooden Miniature Toy Shop willed with antique toys and dolls which sold for $27,000 (estimate $2,500 to $3,500). A German Bisque Mystery Doll marked 134 which appeared on the museum poster which sold for $12,000 (estimate $3,000 to $4,000), a German Art Character Doll attributed to Marion Kaulitz which sold for $14,000 (estimate $6,000 to $9,000) and a Brown-Eyed Bebe Triste by Jumeau (pictured) which sold for $23,000 (estimate $15,000 to $18,000).
