Bishton preview – dolls, teddy bears, vintage fashion flair and Mr Cherry Lips!
An outstanding collection of toys and vintage fashion is set to entice bidders in Bishton Hall’s June 5 Dolls, Teddy Bears & Toys: Antique Textiles & Fashion Auction.
Lots can be previewed on the morning of June 4 at the saleroom at Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire. Click here for full address and contact information.
Here teddy bear, dolls and toy valuer Janet Rawnsley highlights some of here favourite lots:
Highlights and delights
Doll collectors are sure to be enamoured by a fine collection of antique German and French dolls. They include a closed-mouth Jumeau French doll and some good 1920s cloth dolls from Italian maker Lenci.
The teddy bear section offers a vast collection of early and mid century Steiff German bears. There are dozens of lots for bidders to explore.
Collectors will also be taken by Mr Cherry Lips from Merrythought. This seldom-seen bear, below, has striking red felt lips. The last recorded sale of a Mr Cherry Lips was over 15 years ago at Christie’s, London, so we expect strong interest.
The sale also includes excellent Victorian early prams and strollers, which come to auction from the nurseries of great country house. We have some miniature versions too.
Bidders will also be enticed by dolls houses with good architectural detail, such as the Mill Cottage, built entirely by hand, and a mid 19th Cheddleton Railway House complete with contents.
The rarity value of objects in this sale is exceptional, another example being a special range of oversized Pelham puppets, examples above. They come to auction with history and pedigree after a lifetime in theatrical use. For any Pelham puppet fans this is a special opportunity.
For diecast vehicle collectors, we have boxed, early techno Danish vehicles and numerous German boxed vintage cranes and train sets.
Fabulous vintage fashion
If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd this summer, period clothing consultant Virginia Ewart has sourced some fabulous garments including dresses from the Mod era. She writes:
We have some really exciting finds to offer in the textile section of the June sale . My personal favourite is a mid 18th century pocket with crewel embroidery that we found in a box of books. This is such a rare and wonderfully naïve piece, made from hand spun linen and embroidered with a wool yarn.
For fashion aficionados we have haute couture from Yves Saint Laurent with a numbered jacket and coat set made in the early 1980s but with a real feel of the 1940s. Fans of British design will find a documented 1974 Jean Varon dress in rainbow stripes, an early Gina Fratini, a fun Zandra Rhodes knit and a wonderful early 1980s Bill Gibb for Annette Carol poncho style jumper.
The sale is jam packed with mid century fashion including lots of deadstock pieces (unworn and still with there original shop tags) and there are lots of 1950s and 60s children’s dresses, dungarees, shirts and blouses.
There’s a late Edwardian lingerie dress that was worn by a bride in the 1980s and is now ready for its next outing and an early 1980s Laura Ashley wedding dress.
We have loads of quality vintage lingerie, from a 1940s CC41 full girdle to 1990s La Perla negligees and baby dolls and a lot of deadstock 1950s conical bras.
“We look forward to welcoming clients old and new to Bishton Hall, either at the viewing event or on the day of sale. Beautiful Bishton Hall is a wonderful place to visit, especially on a summer’s day!”
Janet Rawnsley
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AUCTION CATALOGUES
Auction Entries invited
Bishton Hall hosts regular toy and vintage fashion sales. To discuss a potential consignment, please contact:
Janet Rawnsley | Dolls, Teddy Bears & Toys
jrawnsley@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk | 01889 882397.
Virginia Ewart | Antique Textiles & Fashion
vewart@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk | 01889 882397.