If you are a doll collector, you had better be present at Bonhams Fine Dolls and Teddy Bears sale that is slated to be held on 26th May. One of the many exclusive items that will be auctioned at this sale is a wax doll dressed by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, the Empress Frederick of Germany (christened Princess Victoria, Princess Royal). The Empress dressed the wax doll for a bazaar in London to raise funds for impoverished Germans in the city circa 1868. Financier Baron von Schroder bought the doll. The doll is dressed in beautiful long white cotton and lace dress with a pink satin underskirt, underclothing layers, and a ribboned bonnet that is expected to fetch £800 – 1,200 ($1218 – $1826) at Bonhams, Knightsbridge sale. Besides this vintage doll dressed by the Empress, the sale will also feature one of the first wooden dolls ever made (circa 1680). The doll dressed in the Carmelite convent’s habit at Bethune, which speaks of the religious turmoil of the time, is expected to fetch £10,000 – 15,000 ($15,218 – $22,828) this sale. Another doll that is sure to find several bidders is the the1920’s Lenci doll, entitled ‘June Bride’ based on the film star Marlene District and is expected to fetch £1,000 – 1,500 ($1521 – $2828) at the sale.
The sale will feature several vintage dolls, including an example of a Bru Bebe (estimate £6,000 – 9,000), ($9128 – $13,693) circa 1875; a papier-mache German doll, and many more. So if you wish to increase your already large priceless doll collection, you had better be present at this sale.
