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For Theriault's President, Stuart Holbrook, the novel, Cadillac Jack, by legendary American author, Larry McMurtry, has served as an inspiration for his entire career. This book alone brought him back to “the business” after college with it's rich depiction of a life scouting out fine objects and the people and adventures that follow. In this episode, Stuart highlights the why of this work being so inspirational to him. More importantly, he offers lessons to collectors about their own pursuit of objects and how the adventures of Cadillac Jack are very much at the core of who we are as collectors.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Ursula Mertz, the German immigrant to America who would ironically come to define the American doll of the 1900-1950 era, is a true national treasure. Her research and vibrant personality shaped a generational understanding of this category in dolls and allowed them a home where appreciation and respect would follow. Her countless articles and the landmark, Encyclopedia of American Composition Dolls, have guided collectors on the subject for decades. In this episode of The Curious Collector, Ursula sits down with Stuart and shares her life as a collector, researcher, and accidental collector of this subject. As well, she beyond the subject and conveys to us the joy of living the happy life of a collector.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

This is a story that needed to be told. Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook narrates the difficult recent life of acclaimed Ukrainian doll artist, Juliet Peliukh. A story that started with a tragedy in 2009, was upended again by the war in 2022, and is still unfolding today. It is a heartbreaking tale of survival; a tale in which dolls have served as a central thread of hope. There's no tidy ending here. Juliet isn't pretending there is one, and she wouldn't want us to either. What it does though is show us what survival actually looks like, and what "healing" really means when nothing can be undone. You can follow Juliet on Facebook under the name of Juliet Peliukh. As well, learn more about her and other acclaimed doll artists at www.niada.org    Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook details his recent journey to the annual NIADA - National Institute of American Doll Artists - conference which brings together doll artists and patrons from across the world. He shares his reflections from his time there and, as well, the premise of the keynote talk he gave to attendees. That is, history is our greatest teacher. And as contemporary art dolls come of age and leave the realm of “modern” it’s important to know what will resonate over generations as taught to us by artists of the past. Why? Artists are no different than collectors in the shared need for protection and legacy of objects over time. To learn more about NIADA go to www.niada.org Cover art courtesy of Ann Hord-Heatherley https://www.annhord-heatherley.com/ Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Collector Conversations is now a regular addition to The Curious Collector podcast that allows listeners to understand the lives, inspirations, and pursuits of so many different collectors around the world. Best of all, it's a chance to hear it all candidly from their own perspectives in order to inspire those just starting this journey - as well as validating those long established collectors with familiar experiences. In this episode, Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriault's, talks to beloved collector, Bradley Justice Yarbrough, who takes us inside his journey from childhood to later becoming one of America’s most renowned Barbie experts and researchers. Bradley, surprisingly, reveals as well the alter-collector he has quietly embraced outside of the “B Word” by offering us insight into a deep appreciation for so many other rich parts of doll history. He serves as not only an ambassador for Barbie but a true connoisseur of the entire history of three-dimensional figurative art and fashion over the past three hundred years.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

In this episode of The Curious Collector, Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook takes us through his forty-years of experience in handling heirs and collections  and why some turn into a wonderful process of honoring a relative while others can turn contentious. With stories of success, alongside cautionary tales of things gone wrong, he helps to identify the why of each so that collectors now can better prepare their heirs and collections for the future - as well for heirs to understand more clearly what to do if dropped into this position with little information to go on. Stuart breaks down the different types of estates and trusts and the unique dynamics of families that can either help or hinder the path forward in seeing a collection protected and carried on to new generations of collectors.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Collector Conversations is a new feature at The Curious Collector, one that allows the listener to understand the lives, inspirations, and pursuits of so many different collectors across the world. Many just like you. For the first in this series, we turn to Catherine Peterson, the well-known collector who has been at the forefront of not only engagement, but contributions to the hobby and as a protector of cultural history. From her origins in California to today in South Carolina, collecting has been a constant companion as she crisscrossed the country (and world!) over the years. She shares her stories, explains how collecting has been an assuring and unique companion during the past four decades during ups and downs - as well as shares her thoughts for new collectors as to what she has learned along the way. It’s a deeply personal interview by Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook that will resonate, inspire and maybe even surprise you all at the same time.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Objects need more than ownership, they beg for presentation. The display of collections, while often overlooked, form an understanding and a deep context. in this episode of The Curious Collector, Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook shares his experiences with doll collectors across the world and reveals the techniques they use to help visualize the display as a vehicle of narrative. He discusses how a good display, regardless of style, can elevate your vision. We are all story tellers. A good display is, in essence, the best way of doing just that. It gives you a chance to tell your story and the story of the object in ways everyone can relate to.  Here are the links for the videos Stuart talked about in this episode/ Click here and here for the videos featuring the amazing vignettes of Susan Nunez. Click here for Dolly Treasures. Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

In this episode of The Curious Collector, Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook takes us on a journey of discovery into how artificial intelligence intersects with collecting. With that, posing questions throughout, is it friend or foe? Does it actually help collectors or instead guide them down dangerous paths? After months of research into this powerful tool, his insight can help collectors see clearly where the benefits are and where the dangers hide. Stuart gives both the Pros and the Cons, along with actual samples of each. In addition, he offers some golden rules to help collectors utilize AI in a best practice manner.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

As a counter to Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook's previous episode on community and collecting, in this episode, he talks about an alternative approach, collecting done quietly and in the shadows. The forming of a “secret garden” if you will. These quiet collectors make up a significant proportion of enthusiasts out there but are often misunderstood. Stuart discusses why some choose this path over a more social and community approach and a few of the advantages of a private approach. He also shares stories of some of these collections and the mystique they bring to the market.  You can see the movie about Herb and Dorothy Vogel and their incredible collection here. Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Community is the heart of collecting. While the objects bring us joy, the friendships and bonds we gain within a hobby are the lasting benefits of a shared passion. In this episode of The Curious Collector, Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook offers his thoughts on how building community relates to becoming a better collector. He explores the amazing benefits to not only happiness within collecting but life in general as well. Communities are built in so many ways, and Stuart lays out where to find them in the world today. From local doll clubs to online groups, they all have their place in the conversation of collecting and community.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Collectors preserve not just the items themselves but are also the protectors of their histories. Provenance is the path of an item and tells a vital story beyond the aesthetic. Yet, for collectors, while much of that history may be with them, sadly it often goes undocumented and is lost. In this episode of The Curious Collector,  Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook discusses the myriad of benefits that come from documenting and cataloging your collection over time, as well as the importance of this task for future generations of collectors. He helps collectors see that the process can be fun, engaging, and provide powerful insight into the items they procure over time. This episode offers compelling reasons as to why this is one of the most important things you can do over your life of collecting and  provides tips on how to develop a library of your collection - as well as which items and information are essential to include. Here are links to the websites that offer cataloging services for collectors:  ICollectEverything.com, ArtGalleria.com, ArtWorkArchive.com and Collectors.Place. Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

R. John and Susan Wright have for fifty years captured the imagination of doll collectors across the globe. From a humble start in the Wright home in Vermont, they would grow to become one of the most revered doll companies in modern times. During this period, they held true to their roots of painstaking design with each doll handmade locally. The fandom of R. John Wright Dolls grew to include exhibits in Japan, special clubs, and even an annual International Convention. On this 50th anniversary of the firm, Susan Wright shares with Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook, her memories, personal stories, and provides a candid look into the genius of R. John and his designs. As well, she discusses her own personal story in their partnership. R. John passed away in 2025 but Susan beautifully talks of his legacy in doll making being one that will continue for generations to come.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Is there science behind the collector’s mind? There actually is. Dr. Shirley Mueller joins Theriault's President Stuart Holbrook for a conversation about her life. both as collector and neurologist, in uncovering just that. Dr. Mueller shares her own experiences and how they directly correlate with the mechanics of the brain that has been more recently studied through MRI’s and practical analysis. It’s a message of positivity and a wonderful opportunity for collectors to understand themselves better - but more importantly, to understand the science that can guide you to even more fulfillment in your pursuit. Lastly, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the non-collectors, The Others, to better respect the passion of collectors. Her book, Inside the Head of A Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play, is a must-read and easily the most important work ever published on the subject. You can purchase a copy of Dr. Mueller's book and learn more about her career and research here: https://www.collectorbrain.com/ Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.

Stuart Holbrook has spent decades as President of Theriault’s working with collectors around the world. In that time,  he has learned valuable lessons from them in their collecting evolution. One of the most valuable is their willingness to share how they worked with just a modest income yet still managed over time to build world-class collections. With that, Stuart came to see that wealth is not always the pathway to a great collection. It can be built in other ways as well. In this episode, he shares his lessons from these collectors which, in the end, leads to not just a great collection but a greater experience in collecting.  Keep up with Stuart at curiouscollect.com and check out Theriaults.com as well where you can learn more as to the exciting auctions held throughout the year at Theriault’s, the world’s leader in the auction of dolls and figurative art.