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Collection from Rosalie

Whyel’s Museum of Doll Art Discover the Beaauty

Sets New World Record of Antique Americann Glass
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When collector Rosalie Whyel founded the Museum
of Doll Art in Bellevue, Washington in 1992, she
created what became a benchmark for dolls to be
recognized as important historical objects and as works e n r e t s o s e l t t
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of art. Its purpose was to honor, preserve, and share S i g n i z i l a i c e p p
dolls from the 1600s through the early 21st century
with both enthusiasts and scholars of play.
Her museum attracted people from around the
world who, like Rosalie, indulged their younger self while
walking through her incredible collection of over 1,000+
dolls. The museum was considered the best private doll
museum in the world, inspiring several books and a strong fan base.
Just 20 years later, the museum was facing economic hardships and
had to shut down. Prior to its closing, the country had already seen 13
major doll museums close their doors within just a few years. Sadly,
Rosalie Whyel passed away on February 13, 2023.
Whyel was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and had a passion for learning
and education. Her industrious nature shined when she organized a
trail-blazing traveling exhibit of Alaskan women artists’ work that
toured the state in the 1960s. She began collecting antique dolls in
ernest alongside her volunteerism for many nonprofits.
Rosalie met and married George Whyel and moved to Bellevue,
Washington, where he encouraged her to create the museum. Once 1 1-800-806-7722
opened, the museum continued to inspire Rosalie’s dedication to American Bottle Auctions • 915 28th Street, Sacrameento, CA 95816
education, resulting in books, awards, and legions of fans. V isit our website at ammericanbottle.com or email us at info@ameericanbottle.com
Theriault’s was commissioned to conducted a curated auction on Auc tioninng Antique Bottles for 25 YYear s!
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behalf of the family. Part I of selected Museum items were sold on
January 6 and 7, 2024.
Throughout the featured 600 lots there were records achieved on a
continuous basis. Theriault’s President, Stuart Holbrook, was quoted
as saying, “The blend of items and the love of a woman who gave
everything to the doll community for so many years, created an
impactful sale that will surely be remembered as the doll auction of the
past century.”
The sale was off to a vigorous start early on when the third lot, an
American black cloth doll by Izannah Walker, circa 1880, the only
one known in the world, tripled its estimate, selling at $92,000 and
thus becoming the highest price paid for an American doll of the
19th century.
As one lot after another doubled, tripled and went even further, the
bids continued to soar.
Other highlights included a French bisque fashion doll designed
by Antoine Rochard, whose shoulder-plate was embedded with
48 gilt-edged crystals arranged to create an extraordinary jewelry
montage. Considered one of the pinnacle art dolls of the 19th century,
it realized $194,000, doubling its estimate. An early Grodnertal
wooden doll, whose costumes were ink labeled “Miss Maude
Middleton” soared to $36,800; a French wooden-bodied poupee,
which had been estimated at $12,000/$17,000, soared to $75,700;
and a French bisque portrait bebe, named “Eugenie” by its original
owner, with trunk and trousseau, topped its pre-sale estimate of
$8,000/$12,000, by realizing $23,650.
Many pieces went to established museums. The Barry Art Museum,
in Norfolk, Virginia, was successful in adding a number of items to its
permanent collection. As well, the National Museum of Toys and
Miniatures in Kansas City furthered their collection to continue the
vision of Whyel in educating the public on the importance of doll art.
The first part of the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art enhanced
the concept of the doll as three-dimensional art form and important
cultural object. At just under $5,000,000 in sales, it became the
highest grossing doll auction in history. This became, as well, the
auction with the most registered bidders in Theriault’s history,
surpassing even its famed Shirley Temple Estate Auction in 2015.
Next January, Part II will take place.
For further info about the next auction from Rosalie Whyel,
contact travis@theriaults.com or call Theriault’s at 410-224-3655. Visit
www.theriaults.com for news and information on doll collecting. February 2024 13