Introduction
Pelham Puppets are wooden Marionette puppets. This type of puppet can be difficult to control and can become easily tangled. With a bit of practise they can be really fun to recreate/invent stories with. The wooden cross the strings are attached to is the control. With your left hand hold the back string and lower the control. This stabilises the puppet. Lift the front end of the control upwards and the marionette will move its hands. To make the hands move individually, pull the left or right front string up and down.
History Of Pelham
Bob Pelham served in World War II and inherited the nickname Wonky Donkey Officer, as he made small toy donkeys. In 1947 Pelham set up his own company making wooden toys held together by string. He named the company Wonky Toys Ltd. Pelham quickly moved with the toy industry at a time where Marionette puppets were being marketed for the general public. Prior to this time marionette puppets were only made for professional Marionettists. In 1948 Bob had changed the name of his company to Pelham Puppets to reinforce the main production of his toy factory. The company was based in England in Wiltshire and eventually moved to Gloucestershire. Pelham headed up the company assisted by his wife Anne until his death in 1980. Anne continued with the company until 1986. The company unfortunately went into liquidation in 1993.
Pelham today
Pelham puppets prior to the collapse of the company are highly collectable. If in the original box, with instructions, and good condition they can be quite expensive to acquire. Mostly they are used in good condition. In 2008 David Leech a former employee at Pelham Puppets wanted to bring back the much loved puppets. Leech managed to produce a new line of puppets with some being in the likeness of the original designs.
Pelham Puppets For Sale
We have a few vintage Pelham puppets for sale on our website. Click on the shop link below and search Pelham Puppets. We ship worldwide via Ebay’s global shipping program.