Object of the Day: A Mr. Punch "Go to Bed," c. 1870

We’ve looked at two of the vesta cases in my collection of Mr. Punch-related antiques. As you know, a vesta is a match-safe and was used to keep matches dry and unbroken.

This is a cousin to the vesta. This type of item is called a “Go to Bed.” Here, we have a figure of Mr. Punch (he’s missing his hat/the top of his head and his right arm). His left arm is extended and, he holds a small receptacle in his hand. A lit match would have been placed in his left hand—staying lit just long enough to get a person safely up the stairs to bed. In the days before electricity, and, even before the proliferation of gas-lighting, these “Go to Beds” would have been left at the base of the stairs, allowing an individual to extinguish the candles in the house, but still have a little light to keep from stumbling. They weren’t always Mr. Punch, but, rather came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Of course, you know why I wanted this one—even missing a limb and part of his cranium.

Speaking of his cranium, at one time, his wee hat was hinged, revealing a compartment for the storage of matches. 

You may wonder what's going on with him.  Well, my father kindly made a base for Mr. Punch, and, now he's upright again.  Since he had a large hole in his head, I thought it might be cute to allow his "ideas" to come out.  So, now, from his head now blooms a bouquet of trade cards--all related to Mr. Punch.  

By the end of the Nineteenth Century, many of the Mr. Punch-related figures were converted for another use. Tubing was inserted through the base, making these sculptures into gas lighters which were used in pubs and taverns.

And so, we say..."Good night, Mr. Punch."