America's biggest child star, Shirley Temple, died in 2014. Temple's toys, dolls, costumes and childhood memorabilia have been on display in the Santa Monica History Museum and on auction blocks over the past few months, reigniting interest from Shirley Temple fans.

Shirley Temple and Mickey Mouse were both born in 1928. The most recognizable child made her first short in 1932. From 1935 through 1938, Temple was the country's No. 1 box-office attraction. She made "Little Miss Marker," "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" and "Wee Willie Winkie" with director John Ford and acted, sang and tap-danced with the legendary Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Shirley Temple, the famously dimpled child star danced, sang and smiled her way into hearts throughout the Great Depression years of the 1930s. Shirley Temple's childhood rise to enduring stardom was unprecedented in Hollywood during the 1930s and early 1940s.  Shirley Temple was indisputably the box office champion From 1935 through 1938, - a feat that has never been matched.

"As long as our country has Shirley Temple, we will be all right," President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used to say.

A collection of Shirley Temple costumes, dolls and toys have been traveling to Santa Monica, Calif., Rochester, N.Y., and Fort Worth, Texas.

Theriault's auction house hoped there would be enough interest for a Shirley Temple stand-alone museum.

According to the auction house 556 Temple items sold for $2.5 million, double the pre-auction estimate.

Legendary Actress Shirley Temple's private collection of movie costumes and childhood memorabilia will travel the U.S. this spring and summer. A small selection of the iconic Hollywood star's movie costumes and personal memorabilia will be featured.  

Theriault's will sponsor a series of events highlighting items from Shirley Temple's famed childhood years, 1928-1940, entitled "Love, Shirley Temple."

"As the leader in the preservation and auction of historic childhood objects, we are pleased to be offering such a personal collection from easily the most iconic youth of the 20th century," Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriault's, said in a statement. "As well, to be able to sponsor and share many of the pieces at prominent museums nationwide prior to the auction event is truly a privilege and an honor."

Theriault's is the world's auction leader for important childhood objects.

"The legacy of our mother's unique and legendary contribution to screen entertainment is embodied in these lovingly preserved artifacts of a childhood like few others in history," said the family of Shirley Temple in a statement. "We believe that, just as the celluloid magic of her youth continues to captivate and enrich successive generations, these artifacts should now be shared across the world with collectors, fans and museums as tangible reminders of this child-star's irrepressibly joyful and optimistic persona."

Temple's mother, Gertrude Temple preserved the memorabilia that attended her daughter's more than 40 films of the decade. Her work in preserving her daughter's historic collection will provide fans worldwide with an intimate look into the life and work of "America's Little Darling."

The collection includes a child-sized racing car given to Shirley by her close friend and co-star Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, a Steinway baby-grand piano inscribed to her by, Theodore Steinway on behalf of his family, her extraordinary autograph books, and a myriad of Shirley's own cherished dolls, playthings and signed letters and photos from such luminaries as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Irving Berlin, Noel Coward, Marlene Deitrich and Orson Welles.

In addition, Shirley Temple's most recognizable movie costumes will be viewed for the first time including:  the iconic red polka dot dress from her breakout film "Stand Up and Cheer" and the complete Scottish-kilt outfit from director John Ford's classic "Wee Willie Winkie." The exhibition will also include many paintings and illustrations done for her by famed artists, animators and cartoonists of the period.