A major private collection of Steiff teddy bears – gifted in a will to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home – could raise thousands of pounds for the animal charity in March.
Janet Rawnsley, teddy bear and doll valuer at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “The charity received a bequest from the family of the late owner of a fine collection. Hundreds of teddy bears of all shapes and sizes, dating from the 1980s and 1990s, are set for auction. They’re all boxed and include some lovely collectors’ pieces. Lots will be priced from £50 to £200.”
The collection will be offered in Hansons’ March 1 Bishton Hall Teddy Bears and Dolls Auction in Staffordshire. The same sale will also offer around 40 other Steiff pieces including an oversized Titanic black bear.
Big Tiny Tots discovery
Other star lots coming up include Christine Adams’ Tiny Tots workshop samples.
Janet said: “Christine Adams was a specialist artist doll maker from 1977-1986. I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to bring her remaining workshop samples from Cambridge, items which had lain untouched since the mid-1980s.
“Christine, who attended the Bath School of Art, structured her art dolls with a painted mask face, similar to the work of fellow doll maker Kathe Kruse (1883-1968). Christine’s dolls were heavily exhibited and collected in Japan and the USA in the early 1980s.
“Hansons is offering the remaining dolls, dolls’ painted heads and ephemera from Christine’s workshop. It’s a unique opportunity to own one of these beautiful character dolls or one of her prototype special dolls, which she worked on in circa 1976. Estimates £350 to £800+
French beauty from 1885
“I also adore an exceptional French Jumeau bisque head doll (Emile Jumeau era), circa 1885, from the Montreuille Sur Bois toy factory, near Paris. This early and prestigious cabinet-sized doll – owned by one family – was originally bought at prestigious Parisian doll store Au Nain Bleu in 1885. It bears the label on the shoe sole. It’s rare, beautiful and wholly original. Estimate £2,500
Rare Bye Byes beauty
“Bidders will also like an exceedingly rare Chad Valley Dolls offering, made in the Birmingham factory next to the River Chad. Set for auction is a special Bye Byes child doll, designed by Mabel Lucie Atwell in 1926. Still in her preserved, labelled box, this seldom-seen doll is in a beautiful condition and comes with her original clothes and bunny slippers. Estimate £350
Die-cast delights
“A wonderful, neat collection of diecast cars and vehicles, owned by a customer in Lancashire and carefully stored since the early 1960s will tempt collectors. Many are in their original boxes and include everything from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Captain Scarlet vehicles. Prices start at £40
Giant dolls house
“The largest offering from the Dolls House Emporium, a well known dolls house company, was their huge Manor House model with garden and basement extension. Rarely seen due to its size, as example will be offered on March 1. It has 13 fully detailed furnished rooms – a magnificent object for any dolls house enthusiast.
Trains chuff into view
“Railwayana comes to the fore thanks to a good selection of 0 gauge trains including locos, carriages and accessories from 193-s onwards. Lots from £40
Noah’s Ark figures
“Bidders will adore a large 19th wooden set of Noah’s Ark figures, many still in pairs, in a terrific lot.”
Auction details
Bishton Hall March 1 Dolls, Teddy Bears & Toys: Antique Textiles & Fashion Auction
Catalogue due live February 23
Entries invited
Entries are invited for the next specialist dolls, teddies and textiles auction
To consign, please contact:
Janet Rawnsley: [email protected] (Dolls, Teddy Bears & Toys)
Virginia Ewart: [email protected] (Textiles & Fashion)
