Grand Notes: The Legendary Antique Doll Collection of Carole Jean Zvonar

When Dr. Carole Jean Stoessel Zvonar tells you that she has collected dolls from the age of 5, she isn't referring to the play dolls that were popular when she was a youngster in the late 1930's. She means that she has always collected antique dolls. "I bought my first antique doll for $1 when I was 5 years old", she said. "Antiques are the only dolls I have ever loved."

Her superb French bebes range from a size 16 Bebe Triste by Jumeau to a petite size 3 brown-complexioned E.J. Grand-sized dolls were a particular passion and form an important part of the collection. Of particular interest is a group of wonderful boy's costumes. Examples of decorative automata from French makers will entice collectors with their elegant movements, charming activities, superb costumes, and magnificent faces. And an antic scene that one well be name "Gulliver and the Googlies" highlights just a few of the rare characters from the Zvonar collection. There is also an excellent group of black complexioned dolls that includes rare variations of classic models.