Puppet

A Little Background on Howdy Doody – My favorite TV show as a child

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Howdy.BobHowdy Doody is an American children’s television program (with circus and Western frontier themes) that was created and produced by E. Roger Muir and telecast on the NBC network in the United States from December 27, 1947 until September 24, 1960. It was a pioneer in children’s television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows. One of the first television series produced at NBC in Rockefeller Center, in Studio 3A, it was also a pioneer in early color production as NBC (at the time owned by TV maker RCA) used the show in part to sell color television sets in the 1950s.

The character first came to life from the creative mind of Bob Smith, who created Howdy Doody during his days as a radio announcer on WNBC. At that time, Howdy Doody was only a voice Smith performed on the radio. When Smith made an appearance on NBC’s television program Puppet Playhouse on December 27, 1947, the reception for the character was great enough to begin a demand for a visual character for television. Frank Paris, a puppeteer whose puppets appeared on the program, was asked to create a Howdy Doody puppet.

As both the character and television program grew in popularity, demand for Howdy Doody related merchandise began to surface. By 1948, toymakers and department stores had been approached with requests for Howdy Doody dolls and similar items. Macy’s department store contacted Frank Paris, the creator of the puppet, to ask about rights for a Howdy Doody doll. While Paris had created the puppet, it was Bob Smith who owned the rights to the Howdy Doody character; an argument ensued between the two men, as Paris felt he was being cheated out of any financial benefits from having made the puppet. After one such disagreement, Paris took the Howdy Doody puppet and angrily left the NBC studios with it about four hours before the show was to air live; it was not the first time Paris had taken his puppet and left, leaving the live television program with no “star”.

Credit for this synopsis about Howdy Doody goes to Wikipedia @ Wikipedia.com.  You can go there for more information concerning this pioneering children’s television program.

 

Vintage Collection Lot 5 Czech Paper Mache Puppets by Munzbergo Vy Loutky

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puppetsCharming lot of 5 antique Czech puppets, paper mache uniquely sculpted faces, hand painted  loosely jointed wooden and mache body and original fabric costumes.

 Attached to metal rod with wooden handle and strings; many strings are disconnected but can  be replaced if you wish. Generally very good to excellent condition otherwise.

 Logo on wood handle AMP, Munzbergo Vy Loutky.

 7-8″ tall each for the puppet without the rod.

HISTORY: During the early 20th century, the tradition of puppet theater in Eastern Europe was  thriving, and small theater groups were formed in many villages. These were from such a  theater group originally.  CHARMING for display, can be seated or hung. 

 Puppets are numbered on the back of the wood. All have at least one limb still attached with the string, some have more. VERY expressive faces.   These and other puppets are available in our eBay store connectibles.

Pelham Puppet 1960’s WIZARD Made in England

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New Year’s day is always a great day for searching out unique collectibles at the many auctions in the Northeast.  It has become a tradition, to hold large auctions on New Year’s Day.  For example, the white suit worn by John Lennon on the Beetles‘ “Abbey Road” album cover sold at a Norwalk, Connecticut auction for $46,000.  Take a look, very exciting!.

That purchase was a little out of our league, however we were able to acquire an interesting collection of vintage puppets, fresh from a wonderful local collection. Pictured here is an original authentic 1960’s PELHAM PUPPETS SL20 WIZARD in the original box.

  • Excellent 12″ version, molded head, elaborate costume and details.
  • EXCELLENT condition, shown as found in box. I’m not sure it was ever used, possibly was just on display.
  • Box has printed instructions on sides explaining how to take out and return puppet to box.
  • TERRIFIC addition to any display, wonderful design.

Please take a look at the rest of this wonderful collection at connectibles.