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The Magic of the Pelham MiniPup Puppets

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The Magic of the Pelham MiniPup Puppets – In the bustling world of the 1950s, amidst the aftermath of World War II and the rise of consumerism, a unique range of marionette puppets captured the hearts of children and adults alike. The Pelham Puppets created by Bob Pelham remain collectable today but the company also created a range of more simple puppets aimed at children – they were the Pelham Minipups. In this feature, we will explore the origins of the Minipups, the range available, their packaging, and we look at their collectability.

pelham minipup caesar
Pelham Minipup Caesar. Minipup Caesar is the small version of the large Caesar dog, a rarely seen puppet. Caesar was a character from the 1950’s comic series created by ‘Tim’. Image from pelhampuppets.com

The Introduction of the Pelham MiniPup Range

Pelham Puppets, a British company founded by Bob Pelham in 1947, initially focused on manufacturing larger marionettes. However, as the demand for smaller, more affordable puppets grew, the company introduced the MiniPup range in the early 1950s. The MiniPup puppets were aimed at children, were designed to be portable and easy to manipulate having generally only two strings, making them an instant hit with children and puppeteers alike. They were made from 1954 to 1961.

The Range of Pelham MiniPup Marionettes

The MiniPup series featured a diverse range of about 9  characters including Caesar, a poodle, a horse and a reindeer and a small range of Walt Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto. The puppets were crafted from wood and wire, with hand-painted faces and additional features such as felt ears and fur such as on the poodle. Unlike the rest of the range Mickey and Minnie were 3 stringed puppets.

The MiniPup Packaging

Distinct from the larger Pelham Puppets, which were sold in boxes, the MiniPup marionettes came in a simple yet effective packaging design: a transparent cellophane bag attached to a card header. The card header had the wording LITTLE PUPPETS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. This minimalist packaging not only allowed potential buyers to admire the puppet in its entirety but also made the MiniPups easily accessible and affordable, contributing to their popularity during the 1950s. The card contained a message from founder Bob Pelham.

Dear Puppet Friend
I hope you like your MiniPup
and that one day you will get
really interested in puppets
because you can have such
a lot of fun with them
Good Luck Bob Pelham

Collectability of Pelham MiniPup Marionettes

The Pelham MiniPup marionettes are not as popular as the larger and more impressive puppets, but they certainly have an appeal, and there does not appear to be too many on ebay or for sale on online shops. Prices are slightly down and the non-Disney models in good condition should sell for around £20-£30, and Disney models from £30-£50. Mint examples in original packaging will sell for more.

pelham minipup walt disney pluto
Pelham Minipup Walt Disney Pluto. Pluto sports a red wooden collar and felt ears. Image from pelhampuppets.com

Related
Many thanks to the team at pelhampuppets.com for background information and permission to use images from the site.


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