Apetite doll, one that fits in the palm of your hand, has always been the choice of the discerning Atlanta collector, Dr. Marilyn P. Dornbush, who for nearly half a century has been on the quest of the rare and the beautiful in this category. To describe these dolls as petite has a linguistic meaning as well, for the budding collection bloomed during visits to Paris in the 1980s where many of the rare treasures of her collection were acquired.
The collection is meticulous, chosen with particularity. While, at first gaze, the word “splendid” comes to mind, a true appreciation of the collection is only achieved by studying its many subtle nuances. Originality of costume, intricate hidden articulation systems, sizes of rare models that are virtually unknown are all descriptions that come to mind when viewing her hundreds of small bisque and allbisque dolls from noted French and German doll firms of the 1870-1920 era. The collection also includes wonderful miniature furniture, porcelains, silver, and animals.
are
April 11-12, 2026
PREVIEW 10 AM ET | AUCTION 11 AM ET
Marquis Auction at Theriault’s Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland
“A PRIVATE GRACE”, AN AUCTION OF ANTIQUE DOLLS FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF DR. MARILYN
P. DORNBUSH OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA
After spending her childhood in Illinois, Dr. Dornbush studied at Vanderbilt University and later Emory and Georgia State, eventually earning her PhD with a concentration on the study of children with neurological disorders and later co-authoring two important books, said to be groundbreaking, on the subject. In 1994 she accompanied her husband, Kirk Terry Dornbush, to the Hague in The Netherlands upon his appointment as Ambassador, and then, in 1998, the couple relocated to Amsterdam and restored a 1670 six-floor canal house where they lived until returning to Atlanta in 2012. During those years she avidly pursued her serious pursuit of the rare and fine in small antique dolls and their surroundings, scouring the markets of Europe.
Yet, despite her remarkable presence in the world of dolls, (after all, winning 56 blue ribbons at UFDC annual conventions from 1993-2019), she has remained with a quiet charm, a private grace, which describes both the collector and her remarkable collection. x
The dreams of a lifelong Barbie collector can become so grand that the only way they could be realized is with a time machine. The dream is to travel back to the halcyon days when these dolls were new, untouched, and lined upon a toy store shelf, smiling from behind shiny cellophane; to experience the joy of choosing a favored Barbie from a line-up of identical perfection. She might be named Barbie, but you simply refer to her as “mine.”
Your journey will begin in 1959 with the original Barbie, travel through the Mod era and the entire 67 years of Barbie’s continuity.
We can’t offer you a time machine. Not a literal one, anyway. The collections presented in “Sparkling” might be the next best thing though. Your journey will begin in 1959 with the original Barbie, travel through the Mod era and the entire 67 years of Barbie’s continuity. You’ll encounter not only Barbie herself, but rare wardrobes and numerous pre-production and prototype pieces.
So, get comfortable, open up this time machine, decide which ones you’ll be calling “mine”, and make plans to attend the auction in person or from the comfort of your home. If you cannot attend the auction, you can place absentee bids, bid live by telephone, or bid live online. A live video presentation of the auction will stream during the entire event. For details visit www.theriaults.com, email info@theriaults.com, or pick up the phone and call 410-224-3655 and our helpful staff will answer all your questions. x
GRANDEZVOUS
Saturday, March 28, 2026
10AM ET PREVIEW | 11AM ET AUCTION | AT THERIAULT’S GALLERY, ANNAPOLIS, MD
And grand, indeed it is. Wonderful antique and vintage plaything treasures from private collections range from rare French dolls to fine small doll furniture, from teddy bears to vintage dollhouses, from miniature bisque dolls to composition celebrity dolls, and everything in between. More than 300 dolls are presented.
Call ahead to reserve your seat and plan to attend the auction in person or bid live online with our live video feed. Absentee, telephone & internet bidding available. Location: Theriault’s in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information call 410-224-3655. Login to register to bid at Theriaults.com.
The auction is an online timed auction, where bidding is online only and where the bidding for every lot begins at $50. It’s simple. Everything starts at $50. So just start bidding, just like oldtime country auctions and watch where the prices go.
The Fifty-Forward auctions happen on Friday evenings at 7 PM ET. It’s always a timed 200-lot auction so you can place your bids anytime and get ready for some fun.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls
An important private collection featuring hundreds of pristine and perfectly preserved rarities from the keystone American doll Nancy Ann firm are offered in this delightful group. The auction will be posted at www.theriaults.com and bidding begins on April 1, closing on April 24 at 7 PM ET.
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.
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 Visit Theriaults.com/Events
Bidding is FUN at Theriault’s
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.
Stuart Holbrook
Luke Theriault
Florence Theriault
Visit Great Doll Museums of the World
Through These Landmark Books
For many years you dreamed of visiting these celebrated museums. But time passed, and, sadly, the museums closed without your visit. Or perhaps you did visit, and now you long for a chance to see again the beautiful dolls that you saw there once upon a time. Here are beautiful books that honor those legendary doll museums, filled with exquisite photographs. Order
ROSALIE, A LIFE OF DOLLS
Rosalie Whyel, daughter of Alaska pioneers, became a pivotal figure in 20th-century doll collecting. She created a world-class museum in Bellevue, Washington, showcasing rare dolls while making them accessible to the public. Her legacy defines doll collecting, and this auction honors her contributions. 10” x 10”. 356 pages. $79. Order BT-386.
PUPPENSPIELZEUG MUSEUM DAVOS
The legendary Spielzeug Museum of Davos, Switzerland, filled 90 showcases on three floors, splendidly repleted with wonderful childhood treasures from the golden years of the 19th and early-20th century. Hardbound. 10” x 10”. 228 pages. $75. Order BT-295.
DE KLEINE WERELD MUSEUM
Considered one of the finest private small museums of childhood ephemera in the world, featuring beautiful dolls, rare dollhouses, stores, kitchens, and finest quality maitrise doll furnishings from the 19th century. Softbound. 9” x 9”. 164 pages. $29. Order BT-293.
THE ANTIQUE DOLL, DOLLHOUSE AND TOY MUSEUM OF THE LEGO FOUNDATION
The landmark museum, founded nearly a half-century ago by the Christiansen Family of Denmark, includes over 2000 antique dolls, toys, dollhouses, paper ephemera and other childhood objects. Hardbound. 9” x 12”. 392 pages. $59. Order BT-239.
THE MUSÉE DE LA POUPÉE OF PARIS, THE ODIN COLLECTION
Tucked into a stone-cobbled impasse in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris for the past quarter century has been an exceptional Museum of Antique Dolls, the inspired creation of Samy and Guido Odin. Hardbound. 10” x 10”. 196 pages. $75. Order BT-333.
THE STEIN AM RHEIN MUSEUM COLLECTION
Nearly 1000 rare dolls are presented in this exquisite commemorative book featuring the beloved Swiss museum which had remained silently closed for many decades before its exquisite dolls were presented to the public. Hardbound. 10” x 10”. 204 pages. $85. Order BT-310.
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.
“A Private Grace” Marquis Auction Catalog and the “Sparking” Barbie Auction Catalog are available for $75 each or Subscribe and Save Over 60%! Or Give as a
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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 auctions to watch and listen to each event. Questions? Give us a call and we’ll help you choose the bidding option that is best for you.
10:00 AM ET. Preview. 11:00 AM ET. Auction.
Auction Information
The auctions 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 9AM5PM ET or go to Theriaults.com. Email queries to info@theriaults.com.
