Object of the Day, Museum Edition: Fred Tickner’s “Hangman” from Punch & Judy, 1975

Jack Ketch
Fred Tickner, 1875
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another puppet by the great Punch & Judy man and puppet maker, Fred Tickner. From his group made in 1975, we see “Jack Ketch, the hangman.” 

This puppet comes with his wooden gallows and rope. A glove puppet, jack features a hand-carved and painted face and hands. His head is adorned with brown artificial fur hair. Jack’s character is immediately recognizable. Fred Tickner had a mastery of representing the personalities of his characters. His celebrated work continues to influence puppet makers to this day.