​ “100 Cards for Rosemarie” - An Invitation from Pelham Puppets and Vintage Pelham Puppets
​
On the 20th May 1947 Captain Robert Henry Pelham started his Company, Wonky Toys Ltd., later to become Pelham Puppets and soon recruited his first four employees, Frank Clements, Sidney Hiscock, Laura Ray and Rosemarie Gibaud.
 
Rosemarie Gibaud will be 100 years old on August 8th 2020 and to celebrate her birthday,  David Leech (Pelham Puppets) and Imogen Parfitt (Vintage Pelham Puppet Shop) are inviting anyone who loves Pelham Puppets to make and send a birthday card for Rosemarie on her special day and to thank her for her work with Wonky Toys and Pelham Puppets in those formative years.
 
If you would like to buy or preferably make a special birthday card for Rosemarie along with some comments about why you love Pelham Puppets, then all you have to do is to send your card, to the address below, by July 18th.
 
Please keep the size of your card to B4 Size that is 25cm x 17.6cm or less.
 
All the cards received will be delivered to Rosemarie in advance of her birthday on 8th August.
 
We will aim to get some photographs taken of Rosemarie on the day and afterwards we will share the photographs and comments of her special day on our respective Face Book pages and on our websites too.
 
Whether you are a collector, a puppeteer or simply admire Pelham Puppets, we hope you will support our endeavours to convey our thanks and best wishes to Rosemarie on her 100th birthday.
 
With sincere thanks,
Yours puppetually,
 
David Leech and Imogen Parfitt
 
 
Please send your card to David Leech Pelham Puppets PO Box 3668 Stone Staffordshire England ST15 9ER by July 18th 2020
 

A couple of weeks ago we had a delivery sent to us from the family of a former employee of The Pelham Puppet factory who worked there from 1959.
One of the most interesting items to offer to you for sale, is the original prototype Bank Manager created at the factory and used for the publicity photographs. These images are widely recognised as they were used as postcards. We also have the magazine where he is featured, Pelpup News Winter 1965 No 10 which will accompany the puppet.
He is standing with the Horror Boy, Mitzi and the Old Lady in the photo shoot.
He has a solid moulded very heavy head, larger than the later type which became hollow moulded. He has a dark woollen suit, later types in production often had a pinstripe suit. The puppet also has lead wraps around his lower legs which were used to weight him down for easier manipulation. 
It's always fun to find exciting items with provenance from the past, we think this puppet can be matched to the original photograph. 
​See images and description here TYPE SL BANK MANAGER

Be the first to answer all three questions correctly and you’ll receive a £10 coupon to spend in the Shop.

Q1: What was Bob Pelham’s nickname during the war?

​Q2: Name 3 items that were used as parts to make a puppet from Army Surplus Depots.

Q3: In 1947 how much did Bob Pelham pay for 20 sacks of 186,742 toggles?! 
£5 £10 or £15

Good luck and be quick!

Write your answers in the comments below, you won't be able to see other peoples answers until 9pm when the result is announced and comments unlocked.

​Go Go Go

​May the Fourth be with you!

To mark this special day in the lives of Star Wars fans, we are giving you a lockdown teaser...

Which two puppets currently available at the Vintage Pelham Puppet Shop could be mixed together to create the Star Wars icon, Yoda?

If you're the first to match our answer, you will receive a £10 coupon to be spent at the Vintage Pelham Puppet Shop!

Good luck!

(Type your response in the comment section below. We will announce the answer on Wednesday!)