Something Special is Coming...
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer — and welcome to all of you who are new to my newsletter (I see you) and thank you all for being here! I’ve taken a little time off from my regular weekly auctions over the summer, but behind the scenes I’ve been super busy cataloging, photographing and getting ready for what is shaping up to be a VERY exciting early fall at D. Thomas Miniatures. I'm thrilled to give you a little (ha!) sneak peek. If you are not yet signed up for my newsletter, you can sign up here.
Beginning Sunday, August 30, I’ll start bringing three wonderful collections of artisan miniatures to market in my eBay store. Each have different vibes from the next and each are filled with pieces by some extremely talented miniaturists (including some icons!) . Be sure to head over to my eBay and "save" my store so you know where to go when the fun (auctions) begin.
First Up: The (Truly) Wonderful World of Karen Markland
I’ve written about Karen Markland before and if you know her work, you know why it brings smiles to faces. An IGMA Fellow, Markland created wonderfully detailed, hand-painted miniatures that are instantly recognizable for their color, imagination and, most of all, their unmistakable sense of whimsy. Click below to learn more about Karen and her wonderful work:
This collection comes from a longtime West Coast collector who is looking to downsize and it includes the largest single-owner collection of Karen Markland miniatures I have ever had the opportunity to bring to market.
There are armoires, hutches, cupboards, toys, plaques, accessories and little vignettes — including pieces created around Christmas, Spring and Easter, Fall and Halloween, along with plenty that simply celebrate Markland’s colorful little world.
Some are filled and embellished. Some are wonderfully detailed individual pieces. There are even some (more rare) half-scale Markland miniatures tucked into the collection. There is a LOT of Karen Markland here and I think collectors of her work are going to have fun with this one while I am certain her work will be gaining new mini fans.
Then Things Get Delightful...and Delicious!
That’s actually the working name for another collection coming this fall — “Delightful & Delicious.” It’s an assortment of charming, romantic, sometimes quirky and wonderfully whimsical and delicious miniatures from a collector looking to downsize with work by an incredible mix of makers including Gail Elena Bantock, Stacy Hoffman, Chris Okubo, Amanda Skinner, Renée Delaney (and Mr. Delaney!) of Miss Lavender’s Miniatures, Paulette Svec, M.P. Gratias and many more.
Dolls, toys, accessories, tiny treasures and things that are just plain fun are part of this assortment. This is one of those collections where you keep opening boxes and saying, Oh, look at THIS! and cause audible gasps.
And Then...I'll Share Work by Several Miniature Masters
Rounding out this early-fall group is a collection from a Southwest Texas collector who is downsizing, and this one takes us in a completely different direction. Fine hardwood furniture, florals and accessories. Beautiful craftsmanship. Serious miniature making.
The collection includes significant pieces by some of the most iconic masters in the world of miniatures including John Hodgson, Ernie Levy, Neil Bateson, Michael Walton, D. Booth, Roger Gutheil, Denis Jenvey and many others.
I’m still researching and cataloging pieces from this collection, and there have already been a few surprises along the way. And we love a miniature mystery (expertly crafted unsigned pieces are among the best discoveries!).
It All Begins Sunday, August 30
The first lots from the Karen Markland Collection will go live in the D. Thomas Miniatures eBay Store on Sunday, August 30, beginning a seven-day auction that ends Sunday, September 6 at 7 PM ET. And that’s only the beginning. New lots from these collections will continue to be offered weekly throughout the fall, taking us right into the holiday season.
After a little summer break, I’m (really) excited to get back to miniatures and our Sunday auctions and I already have quite a few miniatures coming across my desk for later this fall that we’re going to want to talk about (one step at a time!). Be sure to continue to check this space for all the details and follow me on my socials for updates and preview announcements! And finally, if you are looking to downsize a collection of your own or on behalf of a family member or friend, do reach out here.
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