A sea of dolls and teddy bears in an array of sizes and colors covered every inch of table space Friday at Reimold Brothers Auction.

Big ones, little ones, happy ones, sad ones, baby dolls and adult dolls alike all stared out at the row of eager bidders waiting to take one, or several, home.

By 10 a.m., Nancy Finley of Youngstown had already bought three teddy bears and a small doll with brown curly hair and wearing a blue dress.

"I collect teddy bears," she said. "And I have a granddaughter. I like to see she has nice dolls."

When asked why she had made the trip to Pymatuning Township on an icy cold morning the day after Thanksgiving, she responded, "Because they have dolls and teddy bears!"

The 1,000-plus dolls, bears and assorted stuffed animals at Friday's auction came from the estate of Bonnie Hartis of Hermitage. Reimold Brothers also auctioned Mrs. Hartis's real estate and personal belongings.

"We had to move the dolls out before we could do anything," said auctioneer Bob Reimold.

It took between three and four weeks for Reimold's wife, Myrtle, to match each doll with its original receipt and paperwork.

"This has been like a puzzle," Mrs. Reimold said.

The dolls were modern, collector types, including Boyd's Bears and creations by singer Marie Osmond.

While some bidders bought dolls and bears to fill their collections, Rudy Gillespie had something different in mind.

A member of Miracle Valley Church in Hermitage, Gillespie was buying dolls and stuffed toys to give to children at the church. By 10 a.m. he had bought about 15, he said.

"What they don't take will go to the Salvation Army or Prince of Peace Center," he said.