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Autumn dolls and toys auction in Paris

A juke-box having been wound up, a wistful clown woke, touched the chords of his toy guitar and a melody of the antique musical box resounded. A doll-lady sitting near him lifted her fan, looked through an eyeglass and began slowly shaking her leg beating time. The auctioneer announced that the starting price of the big juke-box ╚Serenade╩ made by Leopold Lambert in the middle of the XIX century is 15 thousand Euros.

The starting price began to grow at once. The number of those who were ready to get a rare French toy that is a single copy nowadays was considerable. Dealers and collectors gathered in Paris hotel ╚Ambassador╩ competed with those who called by phone and tried to get at and tell their prices.

≈ Ten different movements! Two melodies! The doll is made on order by Jumeau Company, 50 centimeters height! ≈ the permanent director and expert of Paris Dolls and Toys Auction Francois Theimer stirred up enthusiasm.

He supposed that the rare juke-box would be sold for 54√55 thousand Euros. But the lot made staggering 74 thousand Euros.

The Autumn Dolls and Toys Auction in Paris featured rare French ancient games of 1750√1914 (more than 180 lots) for the first time. Francois Theimer declares that games are special subject that attracts many collectors not only in France but in the United States, Japan and Great Britain.

The subject of the auction was a specialty and it could have been the reason of the fact that many lots were sold for the prices a little lower than their estimates.

Croquettes, cards, dominoes, roulettes, charades, trick sets, children table plays ≈ all safe, often in original boxes ≈ were being sold at the price from 80 to 3000 Euros.

One collector who came to this auction from the US bought several lots. He thinks that they are not only rare things but a possibility to recall good ideas from the good old times ≈ some ancient games could attract interest of todays toy manufactures despite abundance of computer playthings. Besides he thinks that the worth of this part of the collection is not yet known.

But it should be said that the second Dolls and Toys Auction that took place almost after the first gathered much more audience. Many people came early in the morning before the opening ≈ especially to examine a chosen lot, ask Mr. Theimer about the history of a certain doll and define objects that should have joined their collection.

Dealers and dolls▓ collectors know pretty well that one can purchase real rarities at Paris auctions. It is natural that they try to get them in the first place.

It is no coincidence that such dolls as Bru or Jumeau ╚fashion dolls╩ and also early dolls of mademoiselle Huret or Lambert juke-boxes are sold for the prices much higher then their estimates.

The other automatic device of great boom represented a little Punchinello ≈ jumping jack ≈ with a laughing Jumeau doll that made him move. The lot was sold for 15 thousand Euros. Leon Casimir Bru doll made staggering 18,600 Euros, rare Bebe Schmitt ≈ 12 thousand Euros, Steiner company doll ≈ 8 thousand Euros and Jumeau & Sie doll of 80 cm height ≈ 6 thousand.

September Francois Theimer auction featured about 60 lots total: dolls, dolls▓ clothes, accessories, furniture, dolls▓ houses and dishes. Original dolls clothes of Madam Jumeau were of special interest. In the end of the XIX century famous dolls▓ manufacturer▓s wife began to make dolls▓ clothes and hats.

She created styles and trimmings and hired tailors. Madam Jumeau models usually were rich decorated and today her clothes for porcelain beauties that survived cost from 300 to 1000 Euros.

Many people were impressed by the largest lot in that auction ≈ wooden two-storeyed dolls▓ house of almost two meters high (1906, France) with original furnishings and accessories inside. The lot appeared to be sold for the price higher than its estimate ≈ 18 thousand Euros (the estimate being 12,000√14,000).

In a whole September auction in ╚Ambassador╩ hotel in Paris passed with no surprises and confirmed one more time that the cost of ancient dolls and toys is kiting and the most rare and valuable dolls and toys become honours of collections and profitable investment.