A Rare 19Th Century Punch & Judy Puppet Set.

A very rare and important collection of English 19th century Punch & Judy puppets, comprising of nine puppets ” Mr Punch and Judy, The Tibetan yeti, The Mad Scotsman, The Ghost, A Blackmore with diamond eye, two Moustache gentleman possibly Sherlock Holmes & Doc Watson and of course Mr Croc ! All with carved heads and polychrome decoration and the most fantastic period costumes. Mr Crocodile has a rubber tube which would have dispense smoke. Mr Punch stand 87cm Tall. The collection is the best examples we have ever seen and a important piece of English Folk art.

The tradition of Punch and Judy shows goes back over 300 years.In the 19th century Punch found audiences as the century progressed was at the seaside, on the beach or the newly fashionable seaside piers. Victorian seaside resorts became the fastest growing towns in Britain in the latter part of the century. The introduction of railways and later of excursion trains catering for crowds meant that more people could visit the seaside and take advantage of the increased leisure time resulting from reduced working hours, including the new August Bank Holiday introduced in 1871. Splendid new hotels catered for prosperous visitors to stay, while day-trippers joined the throng and had time to enjoy the Punch and Judy shows that began to be a standard part of the entertainment on offer. By the end of the century a Punch and Judy show could attract huge audiences.

P.O.A.