The Private Collection of Tom Courtney

Tom has chosen to share not only his private collection, but also pictures that mean a great deal to him.  Included are his descriptions and explanations.

The Belmont Ball - The Belmont Ball was an annual fund-raising gala held at the Belmont Mansion in Washington, DC.  For nine years, I was involved with this incredible event that supported DC-area children's charities.  In 1999, I organized a charity fund-raiser for DC area children's charities through my Masonic Lodge.  The first year featured Gene . . . and the auction was an amazing success!  In the second year, Tonner donated American Models for an 'Evening at the Opera' theme.  Tonner even donated two one-of-a-kind models, and the Washington Opera costumed two models as Turandot and Parsifal. (Placido Domingo was singing the role in DC; he is also the Washington Opera's creative director.)  In all, the doll raised over $20,000 for DC area children's charities.  I did three dolls and one costume for the auction . . . the two of most note were the Emperor and Empress of Austria.  This was such a great example of what the doll community can do when teaming together to assist worthy causes.

Bill Jones of the San Francisco Opera created this stunning 'Queen of the Night'.

A selection of the extraordinary beauties created with Opera themes.

More beauties on the State Dining Room Table in the Belmont Mansion.
 You can see and tour the mansion here: http://www.easternstar.org/temple/frame.html

Guests view the dolls in the State Dining Room.
(Tom's Emperor and Empress of Austria are at the end of the table)

The Capitol Gene Club (now Capitol Fun & Fashion) - these folks were my first real entrance to the doll community...I had been involved in other things, clubs and conventions, but it was this group that really made fashion dolls fun for me.  We had so many fun meeting of various themes, and we had great projects together.  The one project I will never forget was the 1999 Christiana D'Amour Project for the Charity Auction at the 1999 Gene Convention.  We all got so into it, and the result was amazing!  Joan Greene ended up buying the diorama -  you would have been overwhelmed by the fascinating details that went into it.  In the story, Gene and a friend traveled to Paris to meet with couturier, Christiana D'Amour.  She gave Gene a private showing with her two top models...and the fashions were dazzling!  This project was one of those rare opportunities to really team together with friends and to contribute to a worthy cause.  It was also amazing fun!

Overview of the entire diorama.

Exterior Shot of the 'Boutique' . . . we are lighting it for photography...that's Pam Tobey holding the light.

Capitol Gene and the finished diorama.

Faux finishing the checkerboard marble floor; the 'Boutique' was designed by an architect friend of mine.
It took five of us to build!  Everyone contributed to the fashions, furniture and accessories, including outside resources like Blumington's, Wendy's Hollywood Bakery and several noted jewelry makers.  Note in the background to the right . . . we are watching TV reports about JFK Jr.'s plane disappearance.

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