As you might have guessed, this isn’t the usual North Texas household. We have a lot of interesting things here. Between the fact that families of doves have made nests above the columns of the front porch, the fact that the Bertie Dog is in control of the running of the property and the fact that I’ve elected Mr. Punch as “Mayor” of “The Dovecote,” (formally known as “Thornfield,” it’s safe to say that ours is unlike other homes in this historical district.
Recently, I made an eBay purchase. Why? I’m not quite sure. Honestly, I thought, “Huh—well that needs a home, and besides Punch would like to play with it.” I should note that I don’t really believe that the official puppet representative of the house is sentient, but a man must amuse himself somehow.
It’s a puppet head. A rubber puppet head. It dates to the late 1950s to early 1960s. It was found in a warehouse of puppet parts—in perfect condition, just left there for decades with no explanation. The head represents Mr. Punch in a style which is entirely unique to the 1950s-1960s. He has googly eyes. This is the work of the Pelham Puppet Company, formerly Wonky Toys, Ltd., which was founded in Britain in 1947.
Now—what do I intend to do with it? Though I’m sure Punch fancies carrying him around in a rather grim Hitchcockian manner, I think a puppet head without a body is rather sad. So, with the help of my mother and father, we’re going to build him a proper body, and, thus, after fifty years, this large-nosed fellow will have a more complete life. And, that’s why I bought him. He’s suffered enough. Until then, the utter creepiness of it is undoubtedly appealing.
Whenever I see it, I’m reminded of a They Might Be Giants song from my high school years. Yes, I’m that old.
No comments:
Post a Comment