“Vivant” Day One: Antique Doll Auction Featuring the Private Collection of Dorothy McGonagle
Notable are the range of miniature Steiner bébés which originally graced the cover of her book, The Dolls of Jules Steiner. The collection also features outstanding classic Bru bébés, a very refined collection of French poupées, many antique costumes, accessories and French shoes, mignonettes, and a bounty of unique dolls.
Sunday, September 21
PREVIEW 10AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET
“Vivant” Day Two: Antique Doll Auction Featuring the Private Collection of Bernice Millman
Rarities abound in each category and collectors will delight in the diversity ranging from early Dorothy Heizer to award-winning paper mache dolls to German characters to Kathe Kruse, and, of course, Kamkins. Also included in the auction are French and German character dolls along with French bébés and more.
Call 410-224-3655 or visit Theriaults.com to order the catalog or for more information.
TheSaturday, Sept 20
PREVIEW 10AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland
“VIVANT”
DAY ONE: FEATURING THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF DOROTHY MCGONAGLE
French word, “Vivant”, the name originally used by Jules Steiner to describe his legendary Bébé Gigoteur, is aptly used as the title of this important doll collection. For although the Boston-area collector has been known for decades as one of America’s most prominent researchers and authors, it is, in particular, her landmark book, The Dolls of Jules Steiner, published in 1988, that is her living legacy.
And the collection is, indeed, “vivant”, alive and vibrant with rarities, charmers, unexpected delights. Notable are the range of miniature Steiner bébés which originally graced the cover of her book, and now return to the cover of her auction catalog on their path to new homes. The collection also features five outstanding classic Bru bébés, sizes 1-5, in original costumes, a very refined collection of French poupées, many antique costumes, accessories and French shoes, mignonettes, and a bounty of unique dolls such as early English wooden doll with original costume and old ink-script note “found on a soldier at the battle of Waterloo”. x
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 after September 4th. The auction will also be live-streamed on the day of the auction.
Get Close-Up and Personal with Your Favorite Dolls from Theriault’s
Face2Live is Theriault’s new service that allows you to view on live video feed closeups of a few dolls you are most interested in. Call 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com to schedule an appointment. Then simply go to theriaults.com and click the handy button on the side of the main page. From there you will be connected to one of our staff on video chat (you do not have to be on video yourself). A great way to get a closeup look of features and face in a live private video session. Available Monday through Friday 9AM-4PM Eastern.
Dollmastery Vignette Series
Watch Florence Theriault’s educational videos about antique dolls — available for viewing on YouTube.
Simply visit YouTube.com/TheriaultsDolls
After September 10th, watch for new videos featuring rare dolls from the September 20-21 auction to be sold at the Marquis Auction Event at Theriault’s Studio Gallery in Annapolis, MD.
Sunday,
PREVIEW 10AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET
Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland
“VIVANT”
DAY TWO: FEATURING THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BERNICE MILLMAN
Her fascination and arduous research into the history of the American Kamkins doll, Kamkins, A Dolly Made to Love, went to press with rave reviews. Of course, the Kamkins doll had not been the singular doll focus of Bernice, for as she noted in the introduction to her book, “My collecting passions have run the gamut…from French and German character dolls along with French bébés. Finally, I developed a love and appreciation of the American primitive doll which led me straight to European and American cloth children”. Now, having achieved that final goal, Bernice has decided to part with her beloved collection which does, indeed, run the gamut. Rarities abound in each category and collectors will delight in the diversity ranging from early Dorothy Heizer to award-winning paper mache dolls to German characters to Kathe Kruse, and, of course, Kamkins. x
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 after September 4th. The auction will also be livestreamed on the day of the auction.
THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF TERRY AND
TOM SCHMELTZER
Featured throughout the weekend auctions are rare German porcelain and sculpted hair dolls from the private collection of the Schmeltzer couple of Georgia assembled over nearly three decades. The collection focuses on dolls with rare features of coiffure and decoration, dolls wear important original costumes, rarely found dolls from important makers such as Royal Copenhagen, and a wonderful group of porcelain dolls with articulated wooden bodies. Many dolls from the Schmeltzer collection were featured in the books by Mary Krombholz, including a cover doll from the book Identifying German Parian Dolls. A sample of those dolls is shown here. x
Dolls at auction featured in the book Identifying German Parian Dolls.
The Celebrated Steiner Bébés and the Mysterious Jules Bourgoin
The French doll maker Jules Nicholas Steiner was always the outsider in the tight-knit Parisian world of dolls. He was born in 1831, not in Paris, but in the far-away city of Dijon, France, close to the Swiss border, where he appears to have lived until his mid-twenties. And, in fact, he was not actually French. His unwed mother, although living in France
and advertised inventions were not dolls; there were the mechanical horse, the adaptation of the Phenakistiscope and the toy mechanical bicycle and carriage, for instance.
Astute collectors judge this era to be the high point of the Steiner firm, both in quality of production and in the tantalizing variety of models that were offered.
at the time of his birth, was of Swiss nationality and, because birthright citizenship did not exist in France at that time, Jules was born and remained a Swiss citizen until 51 years later when, in 1882, when he finally acquired French citizenship.
This non-traditional heritage may have been a factor in his outlier status in the world of dolls. But what is more likely is simply his own creative inclination. Having grown up in a region where clockmaking was a traditional skill, he early became fascinated by the mechanical works of clocks, and how they might be utilized for objects other than clocks. Although some of his early patents, in 1855, 1862, and 1865, were concerned with dolls, it was the mechanical device inside the doll that was the focus of each patent, not the doll’s face or costume. And, in fact, the majority of his life-time patents
Yet, curiously, Steiner is most celebrated today as the originator of the bébé. This may trace back to the Paris 1878 Exposition L’Universelle in which Steiner exhibited his articulated mechanical bébé as well as more simplified bébés, earning him a Silver Medal, and the accolade by one of the jurors, Madame Buree, as “the inventor or king of bébés”. While the award may have pleased Steiner, he could not have failed to see the growing trend in the doll world. Wealthy Parisians, as well as international travelers were seeking elegant and pretty child dolls for their children, dolls that were meant to be paraded along the Champs Elysees or displayed in a plethora of fancy silks rather than the dolls with mechanical movements that were his metier. He concluded that perhaps the reason his competitor Emile Jumeau had won the top prize, the Medaille d’Or, at the Exposition was that his bébés were created with beautiful portrait-like faces and elegant silk costumes.
But this new trend held little interest for Jules Steiner. For him, it was always the invention, the mechanics of movement, the design. So, in 1880, he stepped back from the helm of the company he had started in 1855. From 1880 until his death in 1901, with the exception of one year in 1889, the Steiner firm became the property of a succession of owners. This information was presented by American collector and researcher Dorothy McGonagle in her landmark book, The
Dolls of Jules Steiner, published in 1988, while, later, important and tantalizing additional details were offered by the French research team of Francois and Danielle Theimer, detailed in The French Encyclopedia of Dolls and his journal Polichinelle
It was in March of 1880 that Jules Steiner transferred ownership of his company to Jules Achille Bourgoin, a Parisian jeweler, who was actually the brother of Jules Steiner’s second wife, although the two families lived and worked in the
A panorama of Steiner models.
The bébés in the following photos are 8”-10” tall, vividly illustrating the variations in modeling presented by Jules Bourgoin during his creative eight-year ownership of the Steiner firm, 18801888.
same building. Steiner now turned his complete attention to further innovative inventions, some related to dolls while others were far-afield, such as his 1884 patent for a system of docking hot air balloons. During this time, Steiner introduced his system for sleeping eyes, which actually involved the entire production of the eye, and so proud was he of his inventions, that the back side of each doll eye bore the Steiner name.
Yet from 1880 until 1888, the control of the Steiner
Series E
Figure A
Figure F
Unmarked
Figure A
Marked “Bourgoin” Figure C
firm was in the hands of Jules Bourgoin, whose name in red ink script began to appear on the back of the bébé head, allowing today’s collectors to precisely date those so-marked dolls as created between 1880 and 1888. And what of these bébés? Astute collectors judge this era to be the high point of the Steiner firm, both in quality of production and in the tantalizing variety of models that were offered. While most other French dollmakers of the era were content with one or two models, simply changing their look by variations in wig, complexion tones or fashionable costume, the Steiner firm, under the auspices of Bourgoin, presented eleven different models with distinct sculpting for each. The dolls were marked with Figure or Series letters each indicating a different facial model, while even more variations were achieved by offering models with paperweight or Steiner’s sleep eyes, with open or closed mouth, having various complexions, and in a grand array of sizes. According to Francois Theimer, the models were inspired by the young 24-year old wife of Bourgoin, who was fascinated by the business and quite involved.
Yet, in 1888, shortly before the 1889 Parisian L’Exposition Universelle, the ownership of the business curiously appears to have been transferred back to Jules Steiner. Not a single mention of the Bourgoin couple is made after this time. The advertising in the 1889 L’Annuaire du Commerce specifically only mentions the Steiner name, describing him as “the creator of the French bébé”. What are we to make of this unexplained disappearance of the Bourgoin couple? Sadly, the mystery remains unsolved. We know only that Bourgoin returned at some point to his birthplace, Vaureal, when he died in 1898 at the age of 56 years.
Even today, 137 years later, the much-deserved credit due to Jules Bourgoin goes unacknowledged. While honor should certainly be given to Jules Steiner for his inventive and creative work during the early period of the French bébé, it is also important to give just due to Jules Archille Bourgoin, for it was during his epoch that the firm, arguably, was at its peak. Just nine short years, 1880-1888. Hopefully, further research will uncover more details concerning the inspiration for the various models created during the Bourgoin epoch.
As for Jules Steiner, shortly after retrieving his firm back from Bourgoin, and being awarded a Medaille d’Or for his bébés at the 1889 Exposition, he filed two more patents for doll construction, one involving a walking doll. Then, just one year later, he once again sold his company to Lafosse who
Even today, 137 years later, the muchdeserved credit due to Jules Bourgoin goes unacknowledged. While honor should certainly be given to Jules Steiner for his inventive and creative work during the early period of the French bébé, it is also important to give just due to Jules Archille Bourgoin, for it was during his epoch that the firm, arguably, was at its peak.
later sold the firm to Mettais. Notably, until 1908 the Steiner successor firms used the Steiner name in their advertising, alongside their own, signifying the importance of his early designation as “the king of bébés”. The name Bourgoin was never mentioned again.
The bébés shown with this article are from the private collection of Dorothy McGonagle and were presented in her book, The Dolls of Jules Steiner. The collection will be presented at public exhibit and auction by Theriault’s in Annapolis, Maryland on September 20, 2025. A full-color commemorative catalog is available.
50 FORWARD AUCTIONS
THE AUCTIONS BEGIN CLOSING AT 7 PM ET IN A TIME-STYLED EVENT WHERE EVERYTHING STARTS AT $50
ABOUT 50FORWARD It’s simple. Everything starts at $50. It’s only on-line, and it means more at-home bidding fun! So just start bidding, just like old-time country auctions and watch where the prices go. You’ll find treasures no one else noticed, you’ll find dolls and accessories and toys in need of your loving care, you’ll find
dolls worth many hundreds of dollars and others designed for bidders on a budget. SOLD AS IS…just like old-time country auctions. No you won’t find dolls that Theriault’s offers in catalog auctions, but you might find just that little treasure that warms your heart this week. It’s all up to you.
American Composition Celebrity Dolls
Friday, OCTOBER 10
Highlighted by the important McKenzie collection of Shirley Temple dolls, many featured in the book The Complete Guide to Shirley Temple Dolls and Collectibles by Tanya Bervaldi, and including a wonderful array of rarecostumed Shirley’s. many lots of additional costumes, and other eagerly sought celebrity dolls from the golden era of the 1930s and 1940s.
Rare WAYANG KULIT THEATER Dolls
Friday, OCTOBER 17
Designated a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003, Indonesian Shadow Theater or Wayang brings epic tales like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to life through the interplay of light, shadow, music, and storytelling. Each puppet, crafted from water buffalo hide and bone, reveals extraordinary artistry in its intricate carvings, vivid colors, and imaginative forms.
Antique Dolls, Toys and Ephemera
Friday, OCTOBER 24
Atreasure from every category of childhood past can be found in this delightful auction ranging from sweet little bisque gems, some sold individually and other in groups, to dolls awaiting your loving care, to cloth dolls ranging from Lenci to Kathe Kruse. There are mystery dolls, artist dolls, costume lots, miniature furniture lots, toys, curiosities and, generally, all the treasures that appeal to the childhood hidden in each of us.
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
35th 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, September 12, 2025 Friday, October 3, 2025
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.
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.
Bidding is FUN at Theriault’s
Every Theriault’s auction brims with new discoveries for your collection. So why not join in on the bidding fun? It’s easy. Choose your favorite way to bid and prioritize your choices.
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.
Call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655 or email info@theriaults.com and we’ll review all the details and help you choose the option that’s best for you. We also offer scheduled private video previews. We Can Answer
Your Questions
“Vivant” Marquis Auction Catalog
Ten-Issue Subscription
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AUCTION SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
September 20
“Vivant” Day One
10:00 AM ET. Preview. 11:00 AM ET. Auction.
SUNDAY September 21
“Vivant” Day Two
10:00 AM ET. Preview. 11:00 AM ET. Auction.
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 auction and watch and listen to the entire event. Questions? Give us a call and we’ll help you choose the bidding option that is best for you.
Auction Information
The auction 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.
