March 11, 2025 • 35 mins
When a doll collection comes up for auction, we glimpse not just beautiful objects, but a collector's passion, vision, and journey. The upcoming Masterpiece sale at Ladenburger Spielzugauktion in Ladenburg Germany on April 4-5, 2025 presents just such an opportunity with German collector Karin Schmelcher's extraordinary collection of rare French and German dolls.
Join host Louisa Maxwell as we explore the highlights of this remarkable collection with Pia Fast Seidel of Ladenburger Auction House and distinguished collector Marco Bröning, Karin Schmelcher’s longtime friend. They guide us through exceptional pieces including two rare Bru Jeune ballerina dolls with wooden bodies that can strike an elegant pose. An Andrè Thuillier (AT) doll with mesmerising blue eyes that "speak to your heart," and the historically significant Emile Jumeau Bébé awarded the prestigious Medal d'Or at the 1878 World Exhibition in Paris.
What distinguishes Schmelcher's collection is her unwavering commitment to originality—every doll retains its complete original costume and accessories. Her expertise led her to co-author definitive books on Bru and Heubach dolls, making her both a collector and historian.
Karin Schmelcher’s collection is truly a Masterpiece weaving a rich tale of the art of doll making, the role of the collector and the doll historian. Join us for this fascinating conversation about passion, provenance, and the enduring legacy of one collector's vision.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Welcome to the Doll Podcast.
I'm your host, louisa Maxwell.
Every collector knows that yourcollection is a passion, a
unique vision that sayssomething about you.
When a collection of dollscomes up for sale at auction, we
get to share in thatcollector's journey and we learn
not only about the dolls butwhat drove the person to acquire
(00:37):
them.
It's that story, the uniquejourney that the doll carries
with it from person to person,that makes collecting such a
fascinating way to exploresocial history.
So this brings us to the storyof German collector Karin
Schmelcher, who startedcollecting in the 1980s, seeking
(01:00):
out the best in French andGerman dolls.
These dolls inspired her towrite and contribute to books on
Brou and Heuberg dolls, and shebuilt enduring friendships in
the doll community around theworld.
Now Karen has decided that itis time for her dolls to move on
to new homes.
Like many collectors, karen hasentrusted her legacy to an
(01:23):
auction house that will shareher vision.
Her dolls will be auctioned ina masterpiece auction on April
4th and 5th 2025 in Germany atthe Ladenburg Spielzug auction.
Guests are Pia Zadel of theLadenburg Auction House and
(01:44):
distinguished collector MarcoBrun, a lifelong friend of Karen
Schmelke.
Pia and Marco welcome to theDoll Podcast.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Oh hello.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Thank you so much for inviting us for the podcast.
I'm so happy to be here.
Well, Luisa, it's a greatpleasure joining your podcast.
Thank you so much happy to behere.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Luisa, it's a great pleasure joining your podcast.
Thank you so much, Pia.
Since 1989, Ladenburg AuctionHouse has been bringing fine
dolls, bears and toys directfrom European collections to an
international market.
Mrs Schmelke was a discerningcollector who sought out pieces
with their original costumes andaccessories.
Can you tell us about some ofthe rare dolls that will be in
(02:28):
this masterpiece sale?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Well, in the next masterpiece sale we will have
two really great dolls which arereally important to me and I'm
pretty sure those dolls werealso very important to Karin
Schmelcher.
One of these dolls is the Brü,size 9.
This is a Brü model with areally rare wooden body.
(02:53):
This doll is like a ballerina.
It was so great to make thepictures of those two dolls
because you can put it in such agreat position, and it is great
because we don't have only thefirst number nine.
We also have a little ballerinasister, a little Brumodell doll
(03:15):
also, which is really, reallygreat.
She comes with blue eyes.
The big one has brown eyes andshe's a little bit smaller and
she looks just gorgeous in herbeautiful dress.
The pictures of them in thecatalog are just fantastic.
So I'm pretty sure those twodolls are one of the biggest
highlights in the auction.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
They are incredible dolls.
I have seen them.
You've sent me the pictures and, listeners, we're going to have
so many pictures.
In fact, you can go right nowto dollpodcastcom and you can
see them right now.
We'll have them in sequence sothat you can follow them as we
speak.
And then, of course, we'regoing to give lots of links to
(03:57):
the Masterpiece Auction, becausethe photography is beautiful
and, if I may say, is beautiful,and, if I may say, the tiny
ankle joint, the delicacy ofthis beautiful ballerina, is so
just absolutely sublime.
Marco, what do you think of theballerina?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Well, they are amazing dolls and they are so
unique, especially the large one.
I have seen only one other dollin this size and also the other
smaller one.
They are just extraordinary,with splendid eyes and just
awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Marco, you have known Karen Schmelker since the 1980s
and you have been there whenshe has acquired some of the
fabulous pieces in hercollection.
As collectors, we all know thethrill of the chase and the
incredible rush when thatperfect doll is in sight.
What was that special somethingthat made Karen have to have a
(04:51):
doll?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Well, as a collector.
It's the moment, it's thehunting, and then it's
everything about presence.
This was extremely and isextremely important for Karin.
Extremely important for Karin,and every single detail, such as
originality, closes from headto shoe.
Each detail she was interestedin and I guess this is what we
are able to see now atLadenburg's auction the charm of
(05:15):
this tremendous work.
She did and spent time forthese kind of dolls.
It's a true work of art, hercollection.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Was this something that was very, very important to
her, Marco, that she foundthings that were completely in
original condition.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yes, the originality was very important to her to
while combine the presence of adoll and not just having a rare
doll.
It must be everything, and wecan see it in these outstanding
auctions Now.
It's really a greatone-of-a-kind quality.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That's what we were all searching for, because it is
just so amazing when we find adoll that speaks as it
originally spoke, from the handsof the doll maker to us today.
It's an incredible journeythrough history, isn't it, pia?
And you are handling every daythese amazing pieces of history,
(06:13):
whether it's a stife bear orthese fantastic dolls from
Karen's collection.
What doll do you really lovefrom her besides the ballerina
which we mentioned?
But what doll speaks to youhistorically from this group of
dolls which you've been workingwith and photographing, getting
them ready for the sale in April?
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Each doll was so amazing.
So I'm the person who makes thedescriptions and the pictures,
make the descriptions and thepictures.
So I can say that the AT dollwas, of course, one of my
favorite dolls.
She got those blue eyes whichare just touching your heart.
They're so great and soemotional.
(06:57):
To make the pictures of the ATwas really easy because she's a
gorgeous doll and maybe thefirst one in this condition that
we ever sell in the in theauction.
So, of course, this is one bighighlight that will maybe
shocked us, for the price couldbe.
We never know what happened.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Well, you see, this is the thrill of the chase.
So this is an andre to leardoll, how tall is she?
Speaker 1 (07:24):
She's about.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
About 22 inches, I think so 22, 23 inches, it's a
number 10.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yes, and what is she wearing?
Speaker 1 (07:34):
A blue, beautiful, I guess, original dress and she
has the perfect underwear tothis and the fitting shoes and
of course, the hat to this andthe fitting shoes so, and of
course the hat.
In whole, the doll is anabsolutely great item, an
absolutely highlight for everycollection.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
I need to agree, pia.
It's an outstanding AT from acollector's point of view.
With these splendid blue eyesand, as you say, these original
blue dress, it's just theperfect match.
And this is Karin, this is allabout Karin.
It's the perfect match of thepresence of the eyes and the
clothes.
(08:13):
So this is well, it's just alovely AT, and I'm extremely
sure that all collectors aroundthe globe will be interested
into this amazing doll.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yes, the thing was I remember when I came into her
room with the dolls there wasone special room where she had
all her great french dolls.
So I remember when I came in,this at popped out for I don't
know, all the dolls arebeautiful, but this AT popped
off because she got the lookwith those deep blue eyes and
(08:49):
that was the first doll.
When I saw her I said to herthat has to be in the auction as
a highlight.
So I'm so happy and glad thatwe got this doll in this next
auction.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And I think this is the magical moment for all
people who love dolls or for allpeople who collect anything.
There are just certain objects,that you see them and that's it
.
You're in love, basically.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Yes, yes, I'm totally in love with the AT.
I'm pretty sure that a lot ofpeople will fall in love also
with her.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
A lovely story that I heard about Karen's collection
is that her first piece and youknow, your first piece as a
collector is something that youalways remember, and I believe
that it was her husband thatbought her her first doll.
Is this true?
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Absolutely, that's true.
I remember that she told me itwas the first present from her
husband.
Actually it was a young love.
They just come together.
She met her husband right afterthe school and he bought her
those German Handwerk doll.
(10:01):
It was, from the collector'sside, an easy doll.
It was not the highest quality,but it was the first step for
collecting dolls.
So she found out with her dolland Her husband created on that
moment the start of a fabulouscollection.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
You see, that's it.
It's the inspiration.
Marco, did she keep that dollwith her?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Well, as far as I know, she started with this
dolly face doll, as everycollector basically, and as we
all know, she adapted veryquickly and learned so fast.
I know she adapted very quicklyand learned so fast and yeah,
well, you need to change yourcollection.
And she also upgraded hercollection and today we see the
Crème de la Crème of hercollection being auctioned at
(10:50):
Ladenburg.
So, as far as I know, thehandwork is not around anymore
(11:12):
no-transcript.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Yes.
Well, I guess Karin has thefeeling for really high quality
dolls.
We have to say and think aboutthis time was not like right now
.
You don't have the Internet anda clear understanding what
really high collecting means.
So she was really really fastthat she collected extremely
(11:39):
high prices dolls, because shestarted with a simple doll and
then she at next she was alreadysuch in touch with this whole
collector community that shebought.
I guess the next doll wasalready a Simon Halbig, but a
really really rare one.
So you know she made big steps.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Well, I have to say Simon Halbig are my favorite
dolls, especially their fashiondolls.
They're my true passion as acollector, even though I love
French dolls.
So I don't want my jumeaus tobe jealous, marco, did Karen
travel to acquire these dolls?
Because, as Pia said, a veryimportant point is that the
(12:24):
internet hasn't been around thatlong, and when I first started
collecting myself in the early90s, you'd be finding things in
antique shops and at auctions.
Auction catalogues were themain place and it's very
interesting to hear how Karenhad to go and investigate.
So where did she find her dolls?
Did she travel?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, it was a totally different time and there
was no internet around.
So the good thing at that timewas that basically every weekend
there was a kind of flea marketor doll show, also in Europe
and Germany, and so this wasalso the time when we met at a
doll show here in Germany andshe was traveling, like myself.
We met in December 1989 inParis at this famous Flea market
(13:10):
and to see a very rare, famouscollection which came on the
market.
So she was traveling a lot andI guess this is all about doll
collecting, it's connectingpeople and this is what I like
and what Karin also liked a lot.
And while she trained her eyeand she was able to find the
(13:32):
look, the presence of a doll andeducate it and this was a time
when she wrote the book ofHeubach and Brue and it's all
about this there was no internet, so she was traveling, she
trained her eyes and she got allthis knowledge.
Fabulous time.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I mean, it is a fabulous time and I still
collect and read books on dollsexhaustively.
But people do rely on theinternet for information today,
so it's a different world.
And also auction catalogues,pia, your catalogues.
They're a very important sourceof information because you
photograph, you classify, youlook at the provenance, the
(14:15):
history and each doll has aunique story.
So it must be very interestingto put together this catalog
right now with so many raredolls.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yes, it is.
It is a pleasure for us to beable to get this collection and
create a beautiful catalog forthis, and I guess it is always
nice to have, like you said, abook at home, because of course,
we have in the Internet.
On our website you will find anarchive.
So, that means you will finddolls that we sold in the last
(14:48):
20 years with the prices, withthe descriptions, with starting
prices and the end prices.
So you can see and that's veryinteresting, the price
difference about 20 years.
So of course this is a greatthing to have the Internet, but
otherwise, to have catalogs athome is always a good, you know,
(15:10):
it is always a good remember.
I'm pretty sure that KarinSchmelter is very happy to have
a catalog with her treasures, tolook every night before she
goes to sleep inside thecatalogue and see her treasures
again, and I'm pretty sure thatis something what everybody
(15:31):
would love to see that thecollection is not only sold, it
is a masterpiece also in thecatalogue because you can see it
every day if you have thefeeling for that.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
It's wonderful because it's one collector's
vision and that is unique andshe shares it with us, and then
auction houses share that withus too, and it's one as you said
to have.
And I have a stack of catalogsfrom my years of collecting and
my favorite one's actually myfirst Simon and Hal Big Fashion
doll.
I still have that catalog frommany years ago and these things
(16:06):
are a part of your history as acollector and they're a part of
the history of the collection.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
And you know what it is really work from my heart,
because it was not only that.
I do that because of the greatof course.
It's a phenomenal collectionand I'm pretty sure that is one
of the best options that I ever,that we ever do.
But Mrs Schmelcher, or Karin,was really a friend of mine.
I know her a long time.
(16:33):
When I have some questions Icalled her and sometimes she was
helping me out with somequestions about some brooms.
I do it really for her.
Yes, I remember that we'repicking her up the whole day, my
husband and me, and bring herto our auction house to show her
(16:53):
all the dolls that she alreadygave us for the first part, and
we were talking just the wholeday for every doll and it really
takes so many hours.
But it was a pleasure for mebecause I learned so much from
her.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
It's all about her passion, I guess.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Yes yes, so of course Karen included her dolls in
many books and she worked withother authors on the books.
Can you tell me a bit moreabout the books and what they
were about?
Speaker 1 (17:26):
I know was the co-worker and she was working
with her together for thisreally, really nice book, and
(17:46):
the great thing is that one ofour highlights my personally
highlight the big ballerina isinside the book.
So I remember when I was alwayslooking for some information in
this brew book.
I always fall in love with thisballerina and I'm so happy to
(18:06):
have her in the auction.
I have to say that again.
Yes, but you can see thisballerina in the brew book.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Isn't it wonderful when you have the book and the
doll and the history and thestory?
Marco, have you used Karen'sbooks as a source when you're
studying your collections?
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Sure, certainly, and I had a long debate with her
during the late 80s, also aboutthis Brühl book, because she
documented, for instance, thatthe numbers are just not
directly linked to the size of aBrue, and this was totally
unique at that time.
So, yes, it's still today akind of master book to learn
(18:47):
about Brue Heubach, and they arejust fabulous.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
So one of Karen's most prized pieces is a doll by
Emile Jumot that was awarded theprestigious medal d'or at the
1878 World Exhibition in Paris.
Can you tell us a little bitabout this Jumeau bébé, because
this wonderful doll is going tobe in the auction and we're all
going to be able to see her.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Oh, louisa, one of my favorite dolls and, I guess,
the most sought after dolls inthe world.
Well, yeah, it's a gold medal.
It's the first BB Emilio Mouintroduced while taking over
from his father, pierre, andremember it was the Industrial
Revolution.
We are coming from the fashiondolls to a totally new doll,
(19:31):
which is the so-called BB today,and with a totally different
proportion.
It's a childlike proportionwith a new face and this face is
just outstanding with theselarge almond eyes, today called
web around eyes, with a mouthclosed but still somehow open as
(19:52):
this doll might speak to us.
And an extra costly feature isthis eye eyeshadow.
And it's a totally new face andoutstanding presence.
And, yeah, I'm extremely surethat this doll will be create
interest for a lot of collectors.
And the extraordinary thing isthat Karin Schmeicher just not
(20:15):
had this rarest size number fivewith brown eyes, but also the
next smallest or largest sizenumber four with splendid blue
eyes.
And they are extremely dramaticdolls and with an outstanding
presence to highlight.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
How beautiful, what a wonderful story.
These dolls are bringing thisgreat moment in history to us
today.
Do you think, Pia, that museumswill be?
You know, it's such a highquality doll with such a
distinguished provenance, Do youthink even museums will be
chasing some of the pieces inthe auction?
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Oh, I'm pretty sure that some of the great doll
museums or also toy museums wantto have this doll with such
great provenience as a highlight.
I mean, this is a part ofhistory, a big part of history,
and I'm pretty sure that thatwill be interesting for a museum
(21:13):
.
But we also have some greatcollectors which have amazing
collections in the background.
So I'm pretty sure that alsosome private museums or private
collectors will want to havethis doll.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Unfortunately, Pia, I need to agree.
Knowing quite some Europeancollectors with this provenance,
I'm sure that the Europeancollectors group will be
interested in this doll witheveryone.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
But then the other wonderful thing is some of these
great collectors from aroundthe world are also happy to
share rare dolls like this oneand have them featured in
exhibitions.
(22:06):
So we share through the books,we share through the internet,
we share through the catalogsand then perhaps we even get to
see them live in an exhibition.
And this is a piece of history.
It's also a piece of fine artand a really beautiful object,
absolutely so, pia, it's goingto be a very exciting auction
(22:27):
and you are in a beautiful partof Germany, the Ladenburg
Auction House.
It's a family business in yourhome city of Ladenburg, germany,
and it's a medieval town withgreat charm and half-timbered
houses and winding streets.
I mean, it just looks sobeautiful.
And then there's proximity toHeidelberg and Mannheim.
(22:47):
It's a unique destinationholiday for any collector who
wants to bid.
I know if I was going to bid onone of these amazing dolls I
would have to be in the room.
So if any collectors do wish tocome and you know the auction
is not until April, so there'stime to book your seats on the
airplane, folks If anycollectors do wish to come to
this historic auction, what doesyour city offer to them?
Speaker 1 (23:12):
Well, I think the most beautiful thing is in
Ladenburg.
It's small.
I mean for Americans,everything.
All the cities are pretty bigand you need a car for
everything, but here inLadenburg everything is petite,
Everything is like you go onwith your feet.
(23:32):
So our auction houses, ofcourse, with the, the auction,
the big highlight for the day,but our auction house here in
the middle of a beautiful parkarea.
That means if you need a breakyou can go outside and you have
the beautiful park in front ofyou, Also the river.
We have really, really greatlittle restaurants which are
(23:55):
just maybe two minutes to walkfar from here.
Also, the hotels are prettyclose, so I mean it is like a
really safe bubble here inLandenburg.
So, of course, as you said, wehave Heidelberg and Mannheim,
which is absolutely great.
In Heidelberg you have the bigcastle on the hills, which are
(24:17):
absolutely amazing to see.
There are many things what youcan do over here.
Right next to our auction house, we have a little castle, also
a beautiful castle, which is ourtown museum, and Ladenburg is
built from the Romans usually,so that's pretty interesting.
(24:38):
Also the Americans they love itover here because when the
Americans say the town or thehouse is old.
Then the Germans or theEuropeans say, well, yes, it's
old, but you have to seeLadenburg or you have to see
other cities over here.
So yes, we have beautifulartifacts from the Romans two
(25:00):
minutes away from here.
So yeah, it is reallyinteresting, it is absolutely
safe and it's a meeting pointfor our collectors, for our
customers, because they're notcoming only to the auction,
they're coming to their littlepretty holiday in Ladenburg also
to have a meet and greet afterthe auction in the restaurant.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
It really sounds idyllic and I think that if we
are going to travel for a greathistoric moment like this in
doll collecting, to just drinkin the culture and the history,
what an amazing experience.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
And it's so nice to travel to this beautiful place.
It's so close by Frankfurt, soit's easy to travel to Frankfurt
to fly in or by train, and thenit's just half an hour.
For me, it's always so nice tobe there and to walk through
this beautiful city.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
This is great.
It's a short flight for me thentoo.
How far away are you fromFrankfurt Airport?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's about 45 minutes, so that's absolutely
close to Frankfurt and it'sright on the Autobahn, so you
don't have to drive inside toomany cities.
It is directly on the Autobahn,so you will find it really
shortly.
And maybe, what is also veryinteresting for all those
(26:26):
collectors from America or fromother countries, we want to
invite all the collectors toinvite them to our Benissage on
the 4th of April, because on the5th of April there is only our
auction and on the 4th we wantto make a beautiful meet and
(26:46):
greet, together with wine, withgood food, with maybe a little
pianist to make a little bitmusic, for us to invite all the
customers to see that we have,of course, a beautiful auction,
but also we have a beautifulcity around us.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
That's wonderful.
You're going to share yourculture, your food, your music.
I'm starting to get reallytempted.
And Frankfurt is so close, Imean from any destination in
Europe.
And Frankfurt is so close, Imean from any destination in
Europe, it's a really easyflight.
So I think we're all going tohave to think about being a
little bit less on the internetand maybe more live and in
(27:26):
person.
But of course, if someone wantsto bid on the internet, they
can, can't they?
You do all your auctions liveon the internet.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Yes, of course, the whole auction is seen on YouTube
.
Shown on YouTube.
You will see my husband, myfather and me as the auctioneer,
so you can see the wholeauction at the internet.
You can bid online and, ofcourse, we have employees which
are speaking fluent English, soeven if somebody wants to have a
(27:59):
line for the auction, this isnot a problem.
We would call everybody inEnglish, in French or in Italian
.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's perfect.
So it's going to be a wonderfulinternational audience and it's
going to be a real event.
Marco, you have known KarenSchmelke and her collection all
your life.
How has she inspired you?
I mean, we've talked about thewonderful dolls, but as we come
to a close here, I'd like toleave it over to Karen.
(28:31):
How has she inspired you as acollector?
Speaker 3 (28:34):
To me it's about the passion and the energy she had.
It was first of all the huntand then the presence, so I
learned somehow from her to getan eye to see the difference.
So somehow she trained me and Iwill be always grateful to her
for that kind of experience,which was just a unique time,
(28:56):
and I'm always thankful for this.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I think that's the great thing we can all give each
other as collectors and asauctioneers and as experts, and
all the various things thatbring the doll community
together.
Pia, what is the link to yourwebsite?
Can you give us your websiteaddress, because they're just
going to have to see thisballerina all these amazing
dolls.
What is the link to yourwebsite?
Can you give us your websiteaddress, because they're just
going to have to see thisballerina all these amazing
(29:20):
dolls.
What is the link to yourwebsite?
Speaker 1 (29:22):
So the website is wwwspielzeugaktionde.
On that website you will findour online catalog.
In this catalog you will find adescription in English and in
German and, of course, a lot ofextra pictures from each doll.
Also, if you want to order theprint catalog, we will send it
(29:45):
to you.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
You also have a YouTube channel, which we'll
give links to, where youactually talk about the dolls at
length and you show the dollsin three dimensions.
We get to see them and it's avery lovely way not only to
learn if you want to bid, but tolearn about these incredible
dolls.
So we'll be giving links tothat on the website as well.
(30:10):
I think it's going to be anextraordinary event and I'm so
delighted that we got to allmeet together and to talk about
Karen Schmelker's legacy.
It's an auction that's going todraw an international audience.
Do you, marco and Pia?
Do you feel that this is goingto be even another way for the
(30:31):
international doll community tocome together and celebrate
Karen's legacy?
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Well, to me it's the place to be.
The online version definitelyis helpful, but during this time
where we have, at least inEurope, only very limited fairs,
it's the opportunity to meetand greet and to see these kind
of once in a lifetime highlightdolls.
I guess it's a perfectopportunity to also get friends,
(30:57):
Know each other and somehow itwill be interesting Suddenly you
are having no friends anymorewhile the auction is going to
start because suddenly you are acompetitor.
But to me it's a perfectopportunity now to see all these
kind of highlight dolls.
They are not showing up veryoften.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Pia, when you're acting as the auctioneer, you're
able to see the entire audiencein front of you and you must
see friends competing for thesame doll, as Marco said, and
that must be quite a lot ofdrama.
And yet you have to keep thewhole room moving and keep them
bidding and also deal withonline phones.
(31:35):
I mean, it's a very fast-pacedenvironment, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Yes, it is and I could tell you stories.
They are so funny because, well, when you fall in love with
something I saw in the options,sometimes so much drama and so
many funny stories.
I mean, I remember one timethat friends sitting next
together and they just, you know, they try to not show that the
(32:02):
friend is bidding against thefriend.
So, yes, that sometimes happens, but that is what auction is
doing to the collector.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
I think you just have to have it.
It's passion, it's alsocommitment and it's your dream.
But what I love about whatyou're planning with this event
is, as you said, there's goingto be the meet and greet the
night before.
People are going to shareculture and music and beautiful
food and they're going to cometogether as a community.
So I hope on the day of theauction they are kind to each
(32:32):
other and give each other achance.
I know in one auction I verymuch wanted a wonderful doll and
somebody did give me a breakand she said, okay, well, if you
go for that one, I'll go forthis one.
And we did it, and we did it.
We both got the dolls we wanted.
So sometimes it can work outand I think that the friendship
in the community sometimes wehold each other together and
(32:55):
other times, well, only oneperson can- win.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Only one person can win, that's true.
I mean, at this point I have tosay, sometimes the people feel
much more comfortable when theyare on the phone because nobody
sees them.
It happens sometimes thatcustomers go out of the room and
, well, they get a phone linefrom the auction, so that can
(33:20):
also happen.
Sometimes we see that most ofthe Europeans like to be more in
the background, you know.
So yeah, that's, I'm prettysure, is the reason why many
people are always or like to beon the phone.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
There's so many different auction styles and I
do feel if you're reallypassionate about it, try and be
in the room, but if you can't be, the phone or the internet are
there to help us achieve ourdoll dreams.
Marco, is there anything inthis auction?
We don't want to betray yoursecrets, but have you seen
something in the catalog youthink you'll bid on?
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Well, as a European, I tend to be not so public, so
to say no, no, we don't want toknow.
I do not want to challenge mycompetitors now.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Don't challenge them, but just tell me.
Are there a few things thathave caught your eye?
Speaker 3 (34:11):
Yes, yes, I have some emotional topics with some
dolls there and I'm extremelysure that there's something for
everybody, not just the highclass, high value dolls, also
some, let's say more well inbrackets, normal dolls, but with
an also extraordinary presence.
And that's so nice about thisspecial collection that every
(34:33):
collector can get something fromKarin and honor this special
person.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
I can't wait to read the entire catalog.
I'll be pouring over it and Ithink it's going to be a
wonderful event.
So thank you both of you, PiaFassadel and Marco Bruning, for
joining us on the Doll Podcast.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Thank you so much, Luisa.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
Thank you so much, Luisa.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Thank you for joining us on the Doll Podcast.
Thank you so much, luisa.
Thank you so much, luisa.
Thank you for joining us on theDoll Podcast.
To find out more about thisepisode, just go to our website,
wwwdollpodcastcom, where you'llfind lots of photos and links
and more information.
You can also find the DollPodcast on Facebook and
(35:19):
Instagram.
Be sure to subscribe to ourpodcast to keep up to date with
all the latest news.
The Doll Podcast is created byNiche Podcast Productions.
Our music is by CelticConspiracy.
Copyright Louisa Maxwell 2025.
All rights reserved.
Welcome to the Doll Podcast.
I'm your host, louisa Maxwell.
Every collector knows that yourcollection is a passion, a
unique vision that sayssomething about you.
When a collection of dollscomes up for sale at auction, we
get to share in thatcollector's journey and we learn
not only about the dolls butwhat drove the person to acquire
(00:37):
them.
It's that story, the uniquejourney that the doll carries
with it from person to person,that makes collecting such a
fascinating way to exploresocial history.
So this brings us to the storyof German collector Karin
Schmelcher, who startedcollecting in the 1980s, seeking
(01:00):
out the best in French andGerman dolls.
These dolls inspired her towrite and contribute to books on
Brou and Heuberg dolls, and shebuilt enduring friendships in
the doll community around theworld.
Now Karen has decided that itis time for her dolls to move on
to new homes.
Like many collectors, karen hasentrusted her legacy to an
(01:23):
auction house that will shareher vision.
Her dolls will be auctioned ina masterpiece auction on April
4th and 5th 2025 in Germany atthe Ladenburg Spielzug auction.
Guests are Pia Zadel of theLadenburg Auction House and
(01:44):
distinguished collector MarcoBrun, a lifelong friend of Karen
Schmelke.
Pia and Marco welcome to theDoll Podcast.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Oh hello.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Thank you so much for inviting us for the podcast.
I'm so happy to be here.
Well, Luisa, it's a greatpleasure joining your podcast.
Thank you so much happy to behere.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Luisa, it's a great pleasure joining your podcast.
Thank you so much, Pia.
Since 1989, Ladenburg AuctionHouse has been bringing fine
dolls, bears and toys directfrom European collections to an
international market.
Mrs Schmelke was a discerningcollector who sought out pieces
with their original costumes andaccessories.
Can you tell us about some ofthe rare dolls that will be in
(02:28):
this masterpiece sale?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Well, in the next masterpiece sale we will have
two really great dolls which arereally important to me and I'm
pretty sure those dolls werealso very important to Karin
Schmelcher.
One of these dolls is the Brü,size 9.
This is a Brü model with areally rare wooden body.
(02:53):
This doll is like a ballerina.
It was so great to make thepictures of those two dolls
because you can put it in such agreat position, and it is great
because we don't have only thefirst number nine.
We also have a little ballerinasister, a little Brumodell doll
(03:15):
also, which is really, reallygreat.
She comes with blue eyes.
The big one has brown eyes andshe's a little bit smaller and
she looks just gorgeous in herbeautiful dress.
The pictures of them in thecatalog are just fantastic.
So I'm pretty sure those twodolls are one of the biggest
highlights in the auction.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
They are incredible dolls.
I have seen them.
You've sent me the pictures and, listeners, we're going to have
so many pictures.
In fact, you can go right nowto dollpodcastcom and you can
see them right now.
We'll have them in sequence sothat you can follow them as we
speak.
And then, of course, we'regoing to give lots of links to
(03:57):
the Masterpiece Auction, becausethe photography is beautiful
and, if I may say, is beautiful,and, if I may say, the tiny
ankle joint, the delicacy ofthis beautiful ballerina, is so
just absolutely sublime.
Marco, what do you think of theballerina?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Well, they are amazing dolls and they are so
unique, especially the large one.
I have seen only one other dollin this size and also the other
smaller one.
They are just extraordinary,with splendid eyes and just
awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Marco, you have known Karen Schmelker since the 1980s
and you have been there whenshe has acquired some of the
fabulous pieces in hercollection.
As collectors, we all know thethrill of the chase and the
incredible rush when thatperfect doll is in sight.
What was that special somethingthat made Karen have to have a
(04:51):
doll?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Well, as a collector.
It's the moment, it's thehunting, and then it's
everything about presence.
This was extremely and isextremely important for Karin.
Extremely important for Karin,and every single detail, such as
originality, closes from headto shoe.
Each detail she was interestedin and I guess this is what we
are able to see now atLadenburg's auction the charm of
(05:15):
this tremendous work.
She did and spent time forthese kind of dolls.
It's a true work of art, hercollection.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Was this something that was very, very important to
her, Marco, that she foundthings that were completely in
original condition.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yes, the originality was very important to her to
while combine the presence of adoll and not just having a rare
doll.
It must be everything, and wecan see it in these outstanding
auctions Now.
It's really a greatone-of-a-kind quality.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That's what we were all searching for, because it is
just so amazing when we find adoll that speaks as it
originally spoke, from the handsof the doll maker to us today.
It's an incredible journeythrough history, isn't it, pia?
And you are handling every daythese amazing pieces of history,
(06:13):
whether it's a stife bear orthese fantastic dolls from
Karen's collection.
What doll do you really lovefrom her besides the ballerina
which we mentioned?
But what doll speaks to youhistorically from this group of
dolls which you've been workingwith and photographing, getting
them ready for the sale in April?
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Each doll was so amazing.
So I'm the person who makes thedescriptions and the pictures,
make the descriptions and thepictures.
So I can say that the AT dollwas, of course, one of my
favorite dolls.
She got those blue eyes whichare just touching your heart.
They're so great and soemotional.
(06:57):
To make the pictures of the ATwas really easy because she's a
gorgeous doll and maybe thefirst one in this condition that
we ever sell in the in theauction.
So, of course, this is one bighighlight that will maybe
shocked us, for the price couldbe.
We never know what happened.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Well, you see, this is the thrill of the chase.
So this is an andre to leardoll, how tall is she?
Speaker 1 (07:24):
She's about.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
About 22 inches, I think so 22, 23 inches, it's a
number 10.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yes, and what is she wearing?
Speaker 1 (07:34):
A blue, beautiful, I guess, original dress and she
has the perfect underwear tothis and the fitting shoes and
of course, the hat to this andthe fitting shoes so, and of
course the hat.
In whole, the doll is anabsolutely great item, an
absolutely highlight for everycollection.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
I need to agree, pia.
It's an outstanding AT from acollector's point of view.
With these splendid blue eyesand, as you say, these original
blue dress, it's just theperfect match.
And this is Karin, this is allabout Karin.
It's the perfect match of thepresence of the eyes and the
clothes.
(08:13):
So this is well, it's just alovely AT, and I'm extremely
sure that all collectors aroundthe globe will be interested
into this amazing doll.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yes, the thing was I remember when I came into her
room with the dolls there wasone special room where she had
all her great french dolls.
So I remember when I came in,this at popped out for I don't
know, all the dolls arebeautiful, but this AT popped
off because she got the lookwith those deep blue eyes and
(08:49):
that was the first doll.
When I saw her I said to herthat has to be in the auction as
a highlight.
So I'm so happy and glad thatwe got this doll in this next
auction.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And I think this is the magical moment for all
people who love dolls or for allpeople who collect anything.
There are just certain objects,that you see them and that's it
.
You're in love, basically.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Yes, yes, I'm totally in love with the AT.
I'm pretty sure that a lot ofpeople will fall in love also
with her.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
A lovely story that I heard about Karen's collection
is that her first piece and youknow, your first piece as a
collector is something that youalways remember, and I believe
that it was her husband thatbought her her first doll.
Is this true?
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Absolutely, that's true.
I remember that she told me itwas the first present from her
husband.
Actually it was a young love.
They just come together.
She met her husband right afterthe school and he bought her
those German Handwerk doll.
(10:01):
It was, from the collector'sside, an easy doll.
It was not the highest quality,but it was the first step for
collecting dolls.
So she found out with her dolland Her husband created on that
moment the start of a fabulouscollection.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
You see, that's it.
It's the inspiration.
Marco, did she keep that dollwith her?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Well, as far as I know, she started with this
dolly face doll, as everycollector basically, and as we
all know, she adapted veryquickly and learned so fast.
I know she adapted very quicklyand learned so fast and yeah,
well, you need to change yourcollection.
And she also upgraded hercollection and today we see the
Crème de la Crème of hercollection being auctioned at
(10:50):
Ladenburg.
So, as far as I know, thehandwork is not around anymore
(11:12):
no-transcript.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Yes.
Well, I guess Karin has thefeeling for really high quality
dolls.
We have to say and think aboutthis time was not like right now
.
You don't have the Internet anda clear understanding what
really high collecting means.
So she was really really fastthat she collected extremely
(11:39):
high prices dolls, because shestarted with a simple doll and
then she at next she was alreadysuch in touch with this whole
collector community that shebought.
I guess the next doll wasalready a Simon Halbig, but a
really really rare one.
So you know she made big steps.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Well, I have to say Simon Halbig are my favorite
dolls, especially their fashiondolls.
They're my true passion as acollector, even though I love
French dolls.
So I don't want my jumeaus tobe jealous, marco, did Karen
travel to acquire these dolls?
Because, as Pia said, a veryimportant point is that the
(12:24):
internet hasn't been around thatlong, and when I first started
collecting myself in the early90s, you'd be finding things in
antique shops and at auctions.
Auction catalogues were themain place and it's very
interesting to hear how Karenhad to go and investigate.
So where did she find her dolls?
Did she travel?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, it was a totally different time and there
was no internet around.
So the good thing at that timewas that basically every weekend
there was a kind of flea marketor doll show, also in Europe
and Germany, and so this wasalso the time when we met at a
doll show here in Germany andshe was traveling, like myself.
We met in December 1989 inParis at this famous Flea market
(13:10):
and to see a very rare, famouscollection which came on the
market.
So she was traveling a lot andI guess this is all about doll
collecting, it's connectingpeople and this is what I like
and what Karin also liked a lot.
And while she trained her eyeand she was able to find the
(13:32):
look, the presence of a doll andeducate it and this was a time
when she wrote the book ofHeubach and Brue and it's all
about this there was no internet, so she was traveling, she
trained her eyes and she got allthis knowledge.
Fabulous time.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I mean, it is a fabulous time and I still
collect and read books on dollsexhaustively.
But people do rely on theinternet for information today,
so it's a different world.
And also auction catalogues,pia, your catalogues.
They're a very important sourceof information because you
photograph, you classify, youlook at the provenance, the
(14:15):
history and each doll has aunique story.
So it must be very interestingto put together this catalog
right now with so many raredolls.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yes, it is.
It is a pleasure for us to beable to get this collection and
create a beautiful catalog forthis, and I guess it is always
nice to have, like you said, abook at home, because of course,
we have in the Internet.
On our website you will find anarchive.
So, that means you will finddolls that we sold in the last
(14:48):
20 years with the prices, withthe descriptions, with starting
prices and the end prices.
So you can see and that's veryinteresting, the price
difference about 20 years.
So of course this is a greatthing to have the Internet, but
otherwise, to have catalogs athome is always a good, you know,
(15:10):
it is always a good remember.
I'm pretty sure that KarinSchmelter is very happy to have
a catalog with her treasures, tolook every night before she
goes to sleep inside thecatalogue and see her treasures
again, and I'm pretty sure thatis something what everybody
(15:31):
would love to see that thecollection is not only sold, it
is a masterpiece also in thecatalogue because you can see it
every day if you have thefeeling for that.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
It's wonderful because it's one collector's
vision and that is unique andshe shares it with us, and then
auction houses share that withus too, and it's one as you said
to have.
And I have a stack of catalogsfrom my years of collecting and
my favorite one's actually myfirst Simon and Hal Big Fashion
doll.
I still have that catalog frommany years ago and these things
(16:06):
are a part of your history as acollector and they're a part of
the history of the collection.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
And you know what it is really work from my heart,
because it was not only that.
I do that because of the greatof course.
It's a phenomenal collectionand I'm pretty sure that is one
of the best options that I ever,that we ever do.
But Mrs Schmelcher, or Karin,was really a friend of mine.
I know her a long time.
(16:33):
When I have some questions Icalled her and sometimes she was
helping me out with somequestions about some brooms.
I do it really for her.
Yes, I remember that we'repicking her up the whole day, my
husband and me, and bring herto our auction house to show her
(16:53):
all the dolls that she alreadygave us for the first part, and
we were talking just the wholeday for every doll and it really
takes so many hours.
But it was a pleasure for mebecause I learned so much from
her.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
It's all about her passion, I guess.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Yes yes, so of course Karen included her dolls in
many books and she worked withother authors on the books.
Can you tell me a bit moreabout the books and what they
were about?
Speaker 1 (17:26):
I know was the co-worker and she was working
with her together for thisreally, really nice book, and
(17:46):
the great thing is that one ofour highlights my personally
highlight the big ballerina isinside the book.
So I remember when I was alwayslooking for some information in
this brew book.
I always fall in love with thisballerina and I'm so happy to
(18:06):
have her in the auction.
I have to say that again.
Yes, but you can see thisballerina in the brew book.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Isn't it wonderful when you have the book and the
doll and the history and thestory?
Marco, have you used Karen'sbooks as a source when you're
studying your collections?
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Sure, certainly, and I had a long debate with her
during the late 80s, also aboutthis Brühl book, because she
documented, for instance, thatthe numbers are just not
directly linked to the size of aBrue, and this was totally
unique at that time.
So, yes, it's still today akind of master book to learn
(18:47):
about Brue Heubach, and they arejust fabulous.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
So one of Karen's most prized pieces is a doll by
Emile Jumot that was awarded theprestigious medal d'or at the
1878 World Exhibition in Paris.
Can you tell us a little bitabout this Jumeau bébé, because
this wonderful doll is going tobe in the auction and we're all
going to be able to see her.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Oh, louisa, one of my favorite dolls and, I guess,
the most sought after dolls inthe world.
Well, yeah, it's a gold medal.
It's the first BB Emilio Mouintroduced while taking over
from his father, pierre, andremember it was the Industrial
Revolution.
We are coming from the fashiondolls to a totally new doll,
(19:31):
which is the so-called BB today,and with a totally different
proportion.
It's a childlike proportionwith a new face and this face is
just outstanding with theselarge almond eyes, today called
web around eyes, with a mouthclosed but still somehow open as
(19:52):
this doll might speak to us.
And an extra costly feature isthis eye eyeshadow.
And it's a totally new face andoutstanding presence.
And, yeah, I'm extremely surethat this doll will be create
interest for a lot of collectors.
And the extraordinary thing isthat Karin Schmeicher just not
(20:15):
had this rarest size number fivewith brown eyes, but also the
next smallest or largest sizenumber four with splendid blue
eyes.
And they are extremely dramaticdolls and with an outstanding
presence to highlight.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
How beautiful, what a wonderful story.
These dolls are bringing thisgreat moment in history to us
today.
Do you think, Pia, that museumswill be?
You know, it's such a highquality doll with such a
distinguished provenance, Do youthink even museums will be
chasing some of the pieces inthe auction?
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Oh, I'm pretty sure that some of the great doll
museums or also toy museums wantto have this doll with such
great provenience as a highlight.
I mean, this is a part ofhistory, a big part of history,
and I'm pretty sure that thatwill be interesting for a museum
(21:13):
.
But we also have some greatcollectors which have amazing
collections in the background.
So I'm pretty sure that alsosome private museums or private
collectors will want to havethis doll.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Unfortunately, Pia, I need to agree.
Knowing quite some Europeancollectors with this provenance,
I'm sure that the Europeancollectors group will be
interested in this doll witheveryone.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
But then the other wonderful thing is some of these
great collectors from aroundthe world are also happy to
share rare dolls like this oneand have them featured in
exhibitions.
(22:06):
So we share through the books,we share through the internet,
we share through the catalogsand then perhaps we even get to
see them live in an exhibition.
And this is a piece of history.
It's also a piece of fine artand a really beautiful object,
absolutely so, pia, it's goingto be a very exciting auction
(22:27):
and you are in a beautiful partof Germany, the Ladenburg
Auction House.
It's a family business in yourhome city of Ladenburg, germany,
and it's a medieval town withgreat charm and half-timbered
houses and winding streets.
I mean, it just looks sobeautiful.
And then there's proximity toHeidelberg and Mannheim.
(22:47):
It's a unique destinationholiday for any collector who
wants to bid.
I know if I was going to bid onone of these amazing dolls I
would have to be in the room.
So if any collectors do wish tocome and you know the auction
is not until April, so there'stime to book your seats on the
airplane, folks If anycollectors do wish to come to
this historic auction, what doesyour city offer to them?
Speaker 1 (23:12):
Well, I think the most beautiful thing is in
Ladenburg.
It's small.
I mean for Americans,everything.
All the cities are pretty bigand you need a car for
everything, but here inLadenburg everything is petite,
Everything is like you go onwith your feet.
(23:32):
So our auction houses, ofcourse, with the, the auction,
the big highlight for the day,but our auction house here in
the middle of a beautiful parkarea.
That means if you need a breakyou can go outside and you have
the beautiful park in front ofyou, Also the river.
We have really, really greatlittle restaurants which are
(23:55):
just maybe two minutes to walkfar from here.
Also, the hotels are prettyclose, so I mean it is like a
really safe bubble here inLandenburg.
So, of course, as you said, wehave Heidelberg and Mannheim,
which is absolutely great.
In Heidelberg you have the bigcastle on the hills, which are
(24:17):
absolutely amazing to see.
There are many things what youcan do over here.
Right next to our auction house, we have a little castle, also
a beautiful castle, which is ourtown museum, and Ladenburg is
built from the Romans usually,so that's pretty interesting.
(24:38):
Also the Americans they love itover here because when the
Americans say the town or thehouse is old.
Then the Germans or theEuropeans say, well, yes, it's
old, but you have to seeLadenburg or you have to see
other cities over here.
So yes, we have beautifulartifacts from the Romans two
(25:00):
minutes away from here.
So yeah, it is reallyinteresting, it is absolutely
safe and it's a meeting pointfor our collectors, for our
customers, because they're notcoming only to the auction,
they're coming to their littlepretty holiday in Ladenburg also
to have a meet and greet afterthe auction in the restaurant.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
It really sounds idyllic and I think that if we
are going to travel for a greathistoric moment like this in
doll collecting, to just drinkin the culture and the history,
what an amazing experience.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
And it's so nice to travel to this beautiful place.
It's so close by Frankfurt, soit's easy to travel to Frankfurt
to fly in or by train, and thenit's just half an hour.
For me, it's always so nice tobe there and to walk through
this beautiful city.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
This is great.
It's a short flight for me thentoo.
How far away are you fromFrankfurt Airport?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's about 45 minutes, so that's absolutely
close to Frankfurt and it'sright on the Autobahn, so you
don't have to drive inside toomany cities.
It is directly on the Autobahn,so you will find it really
shortly.
And maybe, what is also veryinteresting for all those
(26:26):
collectors from America or fromother countries, we want to
invite all the collectors toinvite them to our Benissage on
the 4th of April, because on the5th of April there is only our
auction and on the 4th we wantto make a beautiful meet and
(26:46):
greet, together with wine, withgood food, with maybe a little
pianist to make a little bitmusic, for us to invite all the
customers to see that we have,of course, a beautiful auction,
but also we have a beautifulcity around us.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
That's wonderful.
You're going to share yourculture, your food, your music.
I'm starting to get reallytempted.
And Frankfurt is so close, Imean from any destination in
Europe.
And Frankfurt is so close, Imean from any destination in
Europe, it's a really easyflight.
So I think we're all going tohave to think about being a
little bit less on the internetand maybe more live and in
(27:26):
person.
But of course, if someone wantsto bid on the internet, they
can, can't they?
You do all your auctions liveon the internet.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Yes, of course, the whole auction is seen on YouTube
.
Shown on YouTube.
You will see my husband, myfather and me as the auctioneer,
so you can see the wholeauction at the internet.
You can bid online and, ofcourse, we have employees which
are speaking fluent English, soeven if somebody wants to have a
(27:59):
line for the auction, this isnot a problem.
We would call everybody inEnglish, in French or in Italian
.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's perfect.
So it's going to be a wonderfulinternational audience and it's
going to be a real event.
Marco, you have known KarenSchmelke and her collection all
your life.
How has she inspired you?
I mean, we've talked about thewonderful dolls, but as we come
to a close here, I'd like toleave it over to Karen.
(28:31):
How has she inspired you as acollector?
Speaker 3 (28:34):
To me it's about the passion and the energy she had.
It was first of all the huntand then the presence, so I
learned somehow from her to getan eye to see the difference.
So somehow she trained me and Iwill be always grateful to her
for that kind of experience,which was just a unique time,
(28:56):
and I'm always thankful for this.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I think that's the great thing we can all give each
other as collectors and asauctioneers and as experts, and
all the various things thatbring the doll community
together.
Pia, what is the link to yourwebsite?
Can you give us your websiteaddress, because they're just
going to have to see thisballerina all these amazing
dolls.
What is the link to yourwebsite?
Can you give us your websiteaddress, because they're just
going to have to see thisballerina all these amazing
(29:20):
dolls.
What is the link to yourwebsite?
Speaker 1 (29:22):
So the website is wwwspielzeugaktionde.
On that website you will findour online catalog.
In this catalog you will find adescription in English and in
German and, of course, a lot ofextra pictures from each doll.
Also, if you want to order theprint catalog, we will send it
(29:45):
to you.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
You also have a YouTube channel, which we'll
give links to, where youactually talk about the dolls at
length and you show the dollsin three dimensions.
We get to see them and it's avery lovely way not only to
learn if you want to bid, but tolearn about these incredible
dolls.
So we'll be giving links tothat on the website as well.
(30:10):
I think it's going to be anextraordinary event and I'm so
delighted that we got to allmeet together and to talk about
Karen Schmelker's legacy.
It's an auction that's going todraw an international audience.
Do you, marco and Pia?
Do you feel that this is goingto be even another way for the
(30:31):
international doll community tocome together and celebrate
Karen's legacy?
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Well, to me it's the place to be.
The online version definitelyis helpful, but during this time
where we have, at least inEurope, only very limited fairs,
it's the opportunity to meetand greet and to see these kind
of once in a lifetime highlightdolls.
I guess it's a perfectopportunity to also get friends,
(30:57):
Know each other and somehow itwill be interesting Suddenly you
are having no friends anymorewhile the auction is going to
start because suddenly you are acompetitor.
But to me it's a perfectopportunity now to see all these
kind of highlight dolls.
They are not showing up veryoften.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Pia, when you're acting as the auctioneer, you're
able to see the entire audiencein front of you and you must
see friends competing for thesame doll, as Marco said, and
that must be quite a lot ofdrama.
And yet you have to keep thewhole room moving and keep them
bidding and also deal withonline phones.
(31:35):
I mean, it's a very fast-pacedenvironment, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Yes, it is and I could tell you stories.
They are so funny because, well, when you fall in love with
something I saw in the options,sometimes so much drama and so
many funny stories.
I mean, I remember one timethat friends sitting next
together and they just, you know, they try to not show that the
(32:02):
friend is bidding against thefriend.
So, yes, that sometimes happens, but that is what auction is
doing to the collector.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
I think you just have to have it.
It's passion, it's alsocommitment and it's your dream.
But what I love about whatyou're planning with this event
is, as you said, there's goingto be the meet and greet the
night before.
People are going to shareculture and music and beautiful
food and they're going to cometogether as a community.
So I hope on the day of theauction they are kind to each
(32:32):
other and give each other achance.
I know in one auction I verymuch wanted a wonderful doll and
somebody did give me a breakand she said, okay, well, if you
go for that one, I'll go forthis one.
And we did it, and we did it.
We both got the dolls we wanted.
So sometimes it can work outand I think that the friendship
in the community sometimes wehold each other together and
(32:55):
other times, well, only oneperson can- win.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Only one person can win, that's true.
I mean, at this point I have tosay, sometimes the people feel
much more comfortable when theyare on the phone because nobody
sees them.
It happens sometimes thatcustomers go out of the room and
, well, they get a phone linefrom the auction, so that can
(33:20):
also happen.
Sometimes we see that most ofthe Europeans like to be more in
the background, you know.
So yeah, that's, I'm prettysure, is the reason why many
people are always or like to beon the phone.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
There's so many different auction styles and I
do feel if you're reallypassionate about it, try and be
in the room, but if you can't be, the phone or the internet are
there to help us achieve ourdoll dreams.
Marco, is there anything inthis auction?
We don't want to betray yoursecrets, but have you seen
something in the catalog youthink you'll bid on?
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Well, as a European, I tend to be not so public, so
to say no, no, we don't want toknow.
I do not want to challenge mycompetitors now.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Don't challenge them, but just tell me.
Are there a few things thathave caught your eye?
Speaker 3 (34:11):
Yes, yes, I have some emotional topics with some
dolls there and I'm extremelysure that there's something for
everybody, not just the highclass, high value dolls, also
some, let's say more well inbrackets, normal dolls, but with
an also extraordinary presence.
And that's so nice about thisspecial collection that every
(34:33):
collector can get something fromKarin and honor this special
person.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
I can't wait to read the entire catalog.
I'll be pouring over it and Ithink it's going to be a
wonderful event.
So thank you both of you, PiaFassadel and Marco Bruning, for
joining us on the Doll Podcast.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Thank you so much, Luisa.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
Thank you so much, Luisa.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Thank you for joining us on the Doll Podcast.
Thank you so much, luisa.
Thank you so much, luisa.
Thank you for joining us on theDoll Podcast.
To find out more about thisepisode, just go to our website,
wwwdollpodcastcom, where you'llfind lots of photos and links
and more information.
You can also find the DollPodcast on Facebook and
(35:19):
Instagram.
Be sure to subscribe to ourpodcast to keep up to date with
all the latest news.
The Doll Podcast is created byNiche Podcast Productions.
Our music is by CelticConspiracy.
Copyright Louisa Maxwell 2025.
All rights reserved.
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