Puppets

Another little peek into my cabinet.

15 years ago there was a Teddy and Doll show in Canberra. They were doing free appraisals, 1 per person. I had two teddies and the mohair Sooty puppet above so my mum and I had a teddy each and my dad stood in line with the sooty. The lady who was appraising Sooty commented that he seems very well loved and that dad must have played with him a lot.....my dad embarrassingly said 'yes'. Truth be told, I bought him at an antique store only a year or two before. We had a good laugh and I will never forget that day..now I can't even remember what he was appraised for.

The hand puppet next to him is a Charlie McCarthy and goes with my ventriloquist collection. He is stamped Edgar Bergens Charlie McCarthy Inc, Made in the USA with a cloth body and composition head with plastic monocle, c1930's.

The clown and the heads are composition and were probably part of a Punch and Judy set. Mr T said that he 'must have' the clown puppet when I bought them on ebay...as you know he loves clowns.




Sandy McBoozle was a xmas present long past from Mr T in his original box. He is a vintage Pelham Puppet made in England, c1947-1955.

Bye for now, have a lovely day.......

Jolly Golly Dancing Illusion Toy

Evening all. This post is a little late, as we have been gallivanting around all day (school holidays here in NSW).

Today I thought that I would share with you my Jolly Golly Dancing Illusion Doll, made from card and jointed with little brass rings.

"You have been fascinated and mystified by this attractive doll. You also can mystify and fascinate your friends in exactly the same way providing you keep the Secret". The secret being to place a small thread or string across the bottom of a chair, preferably in a dark corner of the room, so that it is not noticed. Place the thread under each arm to support the doll. Turn on the Wireless or Gramophone (this should indicate the age of the toy) and tug the string to the tune to make him dance. After the performance let the audience inspect the doll, but not the thread, and let them be mystified by the sheer magic of the Dancing Golly!

The envelope reads, "The Golliwog That Comes To Life. Dances to Your Command, Causes Endless Fun", Reg Design No. 864033, Made in England. (I think it dates to around 1950's by the design number but it may be earlier).

Have a good night, don't let the bed bugs bite :)

p.s. are you guys having problems with your followers not showing?...it is driving me mad trying to get them to show again. Apparently others are having the same problem and the blogger team are looking into it.

Pims Musical Blocks - Wartime Toy

Morning everyone, hope this post finds you well.

One of my favourite items in my cabinet is the Pims Musical Blocks. A product by L.G. Pimblett, Sydney c1940-1948. It has a Department of Wars Organisation of Industry Permit number stamped on it as well; an Australian government office that controlled the use of strategically valuable materials for non-essential products such as toys during World War Two*.

Each block (measuring 9cm x 7cm) is made from cardboard with the most fantastic graphic, still clean and bright. Inside each block is a metal bell, once jingled, rings a different note. The box also contains the original music book with simple tunes and instruction sheet.

It was sold through 'Levensons Radio, For games of all kinds, 226 Pitt St, Sydney M2525'.

Have a lovely day.......

* Information sourced from the Powerhouse Museum

What's in My Cabinet?

My cabinet in our loungeroom is chokers with vintage bits and bobs. I have some interesting things that I will show you over a few posts. It houses some of my collections, including Bonzo, Sailor dolls, tin toys etc.

Join me each Thursday for a little peek.