Press Release 30 May 2013
LOS ANGELES — Bonhams is pleased to offer the
exceptional doll collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon on June 24
at the Sunset Boulevard salesroom. Alexandra, a former actress, model,
and advertising executive married the late Sidney Sheldon in 1989.
Sidney won an Academy Award® in 1947 for screenwriting and created hit
television shows like I Dream of Jeannie and The Patty Duke Show, all
before becoming the seventh best-selling fiction writer of all time,
authoring titles including 1973's number one bestseller The Other Side
of Midnight.
During their marriage, Alexandra introduced Sidney
to collecting dolls, an interest inspired by her love of design, color
and whimsy. The couple acquired an impressive collection over several
decades, which graced their Paul R. Williams-designed Hombly Hills
estate. Bonhams will offer the entire collection of well over 450 dolls
on June 24.
A variety of esteemed international dolls makers are
represented, including fine examples from the Italian maker Lenci. Made
in the early 20th century, Lenci dolls were constructed of felt and
renowned for their unusually large size and beautiful craftsmanship. The
company had many celebrity fans in its heyday, including Josephine
Baker and Queen Elena of Savoy.
An extremely rare Lenci felt doll
of Rudolph Valentino, as seen in his film The Son of the Sheik, is the
auction's top lot (est. $6,000-8,000). Standing over two feet high,
examples of the Valentino doll are scarce as it was discontinued only
one year into production after the 1929 stock market crash. Lenci
incarnations of famous fictional and historic figures will also be up
for auction, including Madame de Pompadour (est. $800-1,200), Mozart
(est. $1,200-1,600), Columbina (est. $1,800-2,000) and Madame Butterfly
(est. $2,000-3,000).
Two Lenci felt "boudoir dolls" on offer are
sure to raise eyebrows (est. $800-1,200 each), as are the "opium smoker"
dolls from 1921, one of which comes with a pipe (est. $1000-1,500).
Lenci dolls in traditional dress from Asia, Europe and the Middle East
are also represented.
Other highly collectable makers on offer
include R. John Wright dolls, Skookum dolls from the 1920s-1940s, Kewpie
dolls, and German bisque-head dolls.
"We're so pleased to offer
the exceptional doll collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon," said
Dana Hawkes, Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Consultant, and
specialist in charge of the auction. "It's an excellent opportunity for a
new generation of collectors."
Bonhams auction of the doll
collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon will take place on June 24 in
Los Angeles. The auction will preview in Los Angeles from June 21-23.
A fully illustrated catalog is available at now www.bonhams.com/auctions/21322.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of
the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present
company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams &
Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company
acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West
Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its
rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and
Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales
are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and
Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and
Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional
representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation
services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales,
plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com
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