Dolls auctioned for museums future

From a 1959 Barbie to a Winnie the Pooh puppet, the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada in Carson City hosted a Doll and Teddy Bear silent auction on Sunday.

An estimated 40 dolls and 50 teddy bears, donated by about 20 people, were on the auction block for a second year in a row to raise money for the museum.

"I've never met a doll I didn't like," said featured speaker Patty Jones of Boise, Idaho, a doll collector and a major contributor to the museum.

"I work with five other Nevada Museums. This is my philanthropy, this is my cause," she said.

Jones gave new and old collectors tips on doll collecting.

"Don't collect to make money, but because you love it," she warned.

After all she should know, in her home, Jones has about 1,000 collectible dolls.

"My husband said we raised five children in our house, then pointed out they are all gone now, but there is still no room," she said.

Jones passed around the room a 1902 mass-produced wooden peg doll from England. The legs and arms were jointed, but the wood, coarse and unfinished. Each of the about 50 spectators was invited to handle the 100-year-old doll.

Chairman of the auction Mary Ann Weiss organized last year's event in 12 days, and made $1,000 for the museum. This year she had more time and hoped all of the dolls would be bid on. If they aren't sold, they will make another appearance at next year's show.

"I planned to sell them all," she said optimistically.

Raffle prizes included a miniature doll house, dinner for two at Red's Old 395, a buffet for two at Horizon Resort in Lake Tahoe and a Shirley Temple video.

Carson City Supervisor Robin Williamson judged the Easter Bonnet contest.