On Monday, June 29, 2009, one of nation’s foremost auction houses, Skinner, announced that it will be auctioning the extensive doll collection of Richard Wright, who passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2009, at age 62. An established collector, Wright was best known for his guest commentator appearances on Antiques Roadshow. Wright’s valuables and collectibles will be auctioned in two sessions.

The first session on Oct. 10, 2009, will feature his large collection of rare, antique and important dolls and doll accessories and will be held in Skinner’s Marlborough, Mass., gallery. The second session on Oct. 24, 2009, will feature Wright’s collection of furniture and decorative arts.

Some of the notable dolls that will be auctioned in the first session will include dolls from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Among the dolls in the collection are English wooden dolls in all-original condition and carved German dolls from the 18th century. There is also a remarkable collection of early 20th-century art reform character dolls with dolls by: Kammer & Reinhadt, Simon & Halbig, and Heubach. The collection also includes American folk art cloth dolls.