The Home Beautiful: A Wedgwood "Punch" Punch-Bowl, 1878

The British Museum

Click image to enlarge.

Look!  Look at this!

I've seen other Majolica Punch punch-bowls, but I've never seen this one before.

I love it.

I want one.

You see, this Punch punch-bowl of lead-glazed earthenware is supported by four feet which are modeled to look like Dog Toby!  Ha!  Meanwhile, the bowl itself is ornamented with four applied Punchinello heads, each decorated with colored glazes.

The interior of the bowl is painted lilac and the exterior is painted a deep blue with a rim of azure and graduated cream disks.

It was made by the Wedgwood Factory in 1878.

The Art of Play: The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch

Professor Punch's Laughable Game of "What D'Ye Buy?"
1890
The Victoria & Albert Museum

“The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch” was a boxed card game with a picture of Mr. Punch and Dog Toby on the lid. The game is comprised of ten cards which depict people of various professions, and 67 cards which have objects written on them that would be sold by the people depicted on the other cards.

The game is described as being played by giving each player a profession and the cards that are specific to that Profession. One player is elected as the “conductor.”  This player reads out a story, as found in the rule book.  At various points within this story there is a blank space in the text and the conductor looks to one of the vendors who must read out one of the items they sell to fill the gap in the story.

In this example from 1890, five of the printed object cards, and two of the vendor cards are missing.  These have been replaced with hand-written cards. The original rule book is missing but there is a hand-written transcript of it in the box.  Obviously the game was beloved and played to the point that it fell apart.  This version may have been made by the Edwin Wallis Co.

Drawing of the Day: The George Scharf Punch and Judy Show

Drawing by George Scharf
The British Museum

This sketch was drawn from life in the early Nineteenth Century.  It depicts a Punch and Judy puppet show being watched in the street.  The drawing is the work of George Scharf and does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of these street-side performances which are still performed to this day.

Punch and Judy "professors" still use the same kind of fit-ups (booths).  In fact, I've seen some which were modeled on this drawing with its decorative figures of Mr. Punch and his wife and "Joey the Clown" who acts as something of a Master of Ceremonies and interpreter for the show.  Even the misspelled sign is indicative of the joy of these wonderful shows.  I think it's marvelous that three and a half centuries (to the day, today) after Punch and Judy was first recorded as being performed in Britain, that he's being kept alive.  We need to do all that we can to ensure that this tradition remains strong and thriving for another three centuries and beyond.  

The Art of Play: The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch

Professor Punch's Laughable Game of "What D'Ye Buy?"
1890
The Victoria & Albert Museum

“The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch” was a boxed card game with a picture of Mr. Punch and Dog Toby on the lid. The game is comprised of ten cards which depict people of various professions, and 67 cards which have objects written on them that would be sold by the people depicted on the other cards.

The game is described as being played by giving each player a profession and the cards that are specific to that Profession. One player is elected as the “conductor.”  This player reads out a story, as found in the rule book.  At various points within this story there is a blank space in the text and the conductor looks to one of the vendors who must read out one of the items they sell to fill the gap in the story.

In this example from 1890, five of the printed object cards, and two of the vendor cards are missing.  These have been replaced with hand-written cards. The original rule book is missing but there is a hand-written transcript of it in the box.  Obviously the game was beloved and played to the point that it fell apart.  This version may have been made by the Edwin Wallis Co.

Celebrating Mr. Punch's 350 Years

To celebrate the occasion of Mr. Punch’s birthday, the Punch & Judy Fellowship will be hosting a birthday party for Mr Punch on Sunday 13th May, 2012.  In conjunction with this, a celebration called the Big Grin, which is being organized by Puppet Link with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund will take place across Britain. 

“The Big Grin” starts on May 12^th in Covent Garden Piazza in central London where our Mr. Punch was first seen by Samuel Pepys in 1662. A mass gathering of UK “Professors” will be joined by performers and  guests from around the world and a very special appearance from Punch’s Italian ancestor, “Pulcinella” who will be coming all the way from Naples for the event. These festivities will be followed on Sunday  May 13th by a special May Fayre in the churchyard of St. Paul’s Covent Garden - the Actors’ Church.

For more information visit, the Punch and Judy Fellowship’s web site or the official "Big Grin" web site.

Drawing of the Day: The George Scharf Punch and Judy Show

Drawing by George Scharf
The British Museum

This sketch was drawn from life in the early Nineteenth Century.  It depicts a Punch and Judy puppet show being watched in the street.  The drawing is the work of George Scharf and does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of these street-side performances which are still performed to this day.

Punch and Judy "professors" still use the same kind of fit-ups (booths).  In fact, I've seen some which were modeled on this drawing with it's decorative figures of Mr. Punch and his wife and "Joey the Clown" who acts as something of a Master of Ceremonies and interpreter for the show.  Even the misspelled sign is indicative of the joy of these wonderful shows.  I think it's marvelous that three and a half centuries (to the day, today) after Punch and Judy was first recorded as being performed in Britain, that he's being kept alive.  We need to do all that we can to ensure that this tradition remains strong and thriving for another three centuries and beyond.  

The Art of Play: The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch

Professor Punch's Laughable Game of "What D'Ye Buy?"
1890
The Victoria & Albert Museum

“The Laughable Game of What D'ye Buy by Professor Punch” was a boxed card game with a picture of Mr. Punch and Dog Toby on the lid. The game is comprised of ten cards which depict people of various professions, and 67 cards which have objects written on them that would be sold by the people depicted on the other cards.

The game is described as being played by giving each player a profession and the cards that are specific to that Profession. One player is elected as the “conductor.”  This player reads out a story, as found in the rule book.  At various points within this story there is a blank space in the text and the conductor looks to one of the vendors who must read out one of the items they sell to fill the gap in the story.

In this example from 1890, five of the printed object cards, and two of the vendor cards are missing.  These have been replaced with hand-written cards. The original rule book is missing but there is a hand-written transcript of it in the box.  Obviously the game was beloved and played to the point that it fell apart.  This version may have been made by the Edwin Wallis Co.

Happy 350th Birthday Mr. Punch!

On May 9, 1662 Samuel Pepys wrote in his famous diary that he had seen, in Covent Garden, “an Italian puppet play, that is within the rails there, which is very pretty."  And, thus, 350 years later, we mark the "birthday" of our delightful Mr. Punch.


Though Punch has been around for far longer and can trace his roots back to the Italian Commedia dell'Arte, today reminds us of his first official record in Britain.  So, on this special day, let's remember "Old Red Nose"--the voice of the people, the lovable rogue, the scamp, the lover and the defeater of the devil.  

Three cheers for Mr. Punch!  

Here's wishing you another happy three and a half centuries!

As you know, Mr. Punch is an important part of my life.  If you love the hunch-baked anti-hero as much as I do, show your support by telling others "the way to do it."  Visit our online store to see the many Punch products available.  

Friday Fun: Glyn Edwards’ Wonderful Punch & Judy Show

Glyn Edwards

Ever wonder what Mr. Punch would do if teaching the baby to walk was suddenly his responsibility? Well, Professor Glyn Edwards, one of the most celebrated Punch & Judy men in the U.K. gives us a chance to find out. Edwards calls himself, “a Punch & Judy activist.” I like that concept. It’s certainly a cause that’s close to my heart.


Take a look at this video clip on Mr. Edwards’ Web site. It’s certainly worth the visit.

Mr. Punch in the Arts: An Eighteenth Century Italian Pulcinello

Pulcinello Performer
Carlo Lasinio
1780

As we know, our Mr. Punch is a close relative to Italy’s Pulcinello. While the two characters aren’t identical, they’re clearly related and have the same sawdust running through their veins (God love puppet humor). In this Italian painting from 1780 by Florentine painter Carlo Lasinio, we can get a sense of Punch’s transformation.


The figure shown in this painting is more “Punch” than he is Pulcinello. Though the costume is Pulcinello’s traditional white robe, the face is clearly that of Mr. Punch. By this point (as of 1662, in fact), Pulcinello shows were being performed in Britain as Punchinello, (shortened to Punch) and had already begun to take on the form we know today. During the Eighteenth Century, Punch was still a marionette. The figure shown in this Italian painting is a glove-puppet. So, again, we see some evolutionary puppet stuff going on. It’s hard to say who is influencing whom here. The puppet’s Punch-like face may be an influence of the British on the Italian, and the glove-figure may be the future influence of the Italian on the British. Regardless, it’s all related, and I think this a charming painting.

Song of the Week: "The Punch and Judy Show," 1927

Popular English dance band of the 1920’s and 30’s, Ambrose and His Orchestra, recorded this “novelty song” in 1927. This song was recorded in England just after Ambrose was asked to return from a lucrative job he had taken in New York. Edward, The Prince of Wales, himself had written to bandleader Benjamin Ambrose in 1925 stating that “The Embasy [Hotel] needs you. –Edward.” How could Ambrose resist?


This jaunty little song was inspired by the jubilant spirit of the Punch and Judy Shows in Covent Garden. Since I only had the audio to the song, I put together a little video of “Punch” images to go along with it. Enjoy!

Mr. Punch in the Arts: “Punch” or “May Day” by Benjamin Haydon, 1829

Punch or May Day
Benjamin Haydon, 1829
Tate Collection

Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846) was a well-respected English historical painter who was plagued by financial difficulties and what he considered the under-appreciation of his work. Despite his troubles, he had a verve and enthusiasm for his work and a deep love of the life of London with its bustle and hubbub. He tried to impart this enthusiasm to the public, and especially to his pupils which included Charles Locke Eastlake.


One of Haydon’s most cherished works entitled “Punch,” or alternately, “May Day,” was painted in 1829. This brightly-hued and energetic canvas depicts a scene the May Day festivities at Marylebone Road. A flamboyantly-costumed procession parades past a lively Punch and Judy show. This painting, which he originally planned to entitle “Life,” depicts the comingling of many classes and cultures. Just before exhibiting the painting, he added the image of a merchant trying to sell artifacts to a disinterested public—a representation of his feeling of his own life, feelings which, sadly, led to his suicide at the age of sixty-one.

This work, however, belies the demons that Haydon fought. A brilliant scene of frivolity and raw humanity, the mortal condition is personified as fleeting and enjoyable. Once again, Mr. Punch speaks for the people. His very presence in this scene sends an instantly recognizable message—life can be a struggle, but we might as well enjoy it.

“Mr. Punch” in the Arts: The Drawings of George Cruikshank

Image courtesy of "Through Wooden Eyes"

An illustrator and caricaturist known for his collaborations with Charles Dickens and his sociopolitical cartoons, George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was referred to as “the modern Hogarth.” His caricatures were famous and notorious. In fact, he was once bribed to not draw any more scandalous cartoons of the royal family.

Initially, his friendship with Dickens was productive. Cruikshank illustrated Sketches by Boz (1836), The Mudfog Papers (1837–38) and Oliver Twist (1838). However, the relationship soon turned to animosity when Cruikshank publically claimed to have been the creator of Oliver Twist.

As part of his quest to document the society of the time, Cruikshank often illustrated Mr. Punch and his wife, Judy, during public puppet shows. The results are charming illustrations such as this one depicting Mr. Punch up to his usual antics.

Though not without his share of controversy, Cruikshank did his part in documenting the lifestyle of his day.

Everyone Should Know Punch

"Punch" from Scribner's Monthly, 1876

“Mr. Punch,” as he is known, figures prominently in my online novel, Punch’s Cousin, though just how Punch is involved remains to be seen. Punch, of course, is known to all of us because of his antics with his put-upon wife, Judy, and their equally long-suffering baby (named appropriately enough, “Baby”). Together, they are the stars of the much-beloved traditional English puppet shows.


The original Punch puppets were actually English adaptations of the Italian Sixteenth-Century Commedia dell’Arte character, Pulcinella. The name was anglicized to Punchinello, and, later, simply Punch. In early performances, Mr. Punch’s wife was known as “Joan.” The first written notation of a performance of a Punch show in England is recorded as May 9, 1662—a date which is considered the birthday of “Mr. Punch.” In his famous diary, English statesman Samuel Pepys noted that he had seen in Covent Garden, “an Italian puppet play, that is within the rails there, which is very pretty."

"Mr. Punch," Museum of Liverpool

The Punch figures themselves have changed drastically over the centuries—adapting from stick-operated puppets to marionettes and, then, to the traditional glove puppet we know today. Since Victorian times, the puppeteer in a Punch show is known as “Professor.” While each Professor’s Punch will differ slightly, his appearance always has a characteristically bulbous, ruddy nose which curves to meet his jutting chin. His lips are always pulled back into a red smile which nestles into his rosy cheeks. Though inspired by Punch, his French cousin, Guignol, has less-severe features. Often portrayed as a hunchback, Punch stoops under the weight of the enormous stick or club which he uses to beat his wife and child.

However, despite the beatings, Punch is not entirely a malicious character. While Punch’s story varies from puppeteer to puppeteer, the gist of it remains that though Punch struggles with his wife and baby, he also must fight a greater force—often law and order (as a form of social commentary), and very often, something more sinister and supernatural. Most Punch plays end with Punch’s triumphant cry, “Huzzah, huzzah! I killed the Devil!”

Originally performed for adults, the Punch shows invariably attracted children. They were performed in portable and permanent outside venues in places such as Covent Garden and other public venues. These puppet shows were a staple of sea-side resorts as well and proved ever-popular.

Punch has inspired songs, films, books, magazines and a host of other art forms. In his role as struggling every man—at once comic and tragic—Punch continues to be as popular a figure today as he was almost four hundred years ago. The puppets may change, but the spirit of Punch remains the same.