Noted experts Becky and Andy Ourant to establish Doll department at Morphy Auctions

July 3, 2007

First specialty sale in spring to feature online bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com

DENVER , Pa. – Dan Morphy, chief operating officer of Morphy Auctions, announced today that Becky and Andy Ourant have joined the company as co-heads of the soon to be established Doll department. “We are thrilled and honored to have two such highly regarded professionals on our team,” said Morphy. “In the antiques business, only a few select individuals command the level of respect that has followed Becky and Andy throughout their careers. I, personally, have wanted to work with them since we first launched Morphy Auctions in 2003. Our entire staff will give the Ourants their full support as this important new department is launched.”

With more than a half-century of experience between them, both Becky and Andy began dabbling in dolls and toys while still in their teens. A Massachusetts native, Becky was introduced to dolls while assisting her mother, a part-time dealer who set up regularly at Brimfield. Even as a young teen, Becky exhibited an uncanny ability to recognize and assess rare dolls. It seemed inevitable that she would continue her involvement in the field, and true to form, she rose through the ranks to become one of the world’s most knowledgeable dealers of antique and 20th-century dolls. Previously, Becky was a doll consultant for Bertoia Auctions. Later, she would play a key role in the procurement, cataloging and sale of many distinguished collections, including the Mary Merritt Doll & Toy Museum’s contents (Noel Barrett Auctions, 2006/2007).

“When we were working on the last of the Merritt sales, our customers and friends were asking us where they would be going next to do their doll buying and consigning,” said Becky. “We were giving a lot of thought to our next move and shopping around to see which auction house would be a good fit for us. We wanted to associate with a company that would provide us with all the services we’d need to build a Doll department that met our standards. After a lot of consideration, we chose Morphy’s.”

Andy started in the auction business at age 15, earning his stripes at Apple Tree Auctions in Newark, Ohio. Upon turning 18, he secured his auctioneer’s license and began calling sales for the company as an apprentice auctioneer. At age 21, Andy was hired by Skinner in Boston, where he spent three years as co-head of the Toy & Doll department. From there, his career path took him to Bertoia’s and, most recently, to Noel Barrett Auctions. Additionally, Andy spent six years as an Antiques Roadshow toy, doll and teddy bear appraiser. He and Becky – with whom he has worked for 10 years and to whom he has been married for seven years – co-own and operate Village Doll & Toy Shop in Adamstown, Pa. Andy said he believes there are exciting times ahead at Morphy’s. “There’s a trajectory that I want to be part of. Dan is going to give us everything we need in order to produce great sales that we’ll enjoy working on. Doing an excellent job for our consignors has always been a top priority for Becky and myself.”

Diamond International Galleries-owned Morphy Auctions’ first specialty Doll sale will be held in spring 2008 and will feature French and German dolls, dollhouses and fine accessories from private collections. Live online bidding for this high-profile auction will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, who facilitate real-time Internet bidding for all Morphy sales.

For additional information, log on to www.morphyauctions.com.

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