Age of Punch and Judy Constable puppet

Any puppet experts here? I am assuming this is “The Constable“ from the infamous Punch and Judy puppet show. Papier-mâché head and wood hands. Very crudely sewn and painted. Any idea what that metal loop is for? Thanks for any help!

 

The loop is traditionally for hanging the puppet inside the puppet-booth; and also facilitates slipping one's hand into the puppet. As one Punch and Judy puppet maker mentions, "all come dressed as standard, with the ring on the bottom of the puppet so they can be hung from a peg to make putting them onto your hand easier."
The presence of the hanging-loop may well imply that this was made for actual use in a Punch-and-Judy show, rather than just as a toy.
From https://wepa.unima.org/en/glove-puppet/ :
"At the base... there is often a ring which allows the puppet to be hung upside-down backstage in a way that the performer can easily plunge the hand in and produce the figure almost instantaneously on the stage. This usually implies a row of hooks below the stage..."

 

Thank you both! @all_fakes that some excellent info. Any idea of age?

 

It does seem to show some wear, but I really couldn't guess as to age.

 

I think he's a proper showman's puppet. Rather too crude, almost, for a toy. He has a helmet, so has to be later than the 1860s. I suspect late 19th C, although I think those buttons were replaced far later. He has the visibility stripes on one sleeve which are 1890s ish.

You could contact these people: https://www.britishpuppetguild.org.uk/index.php/about-the-guild/ or better still this: http://www.punchandjudy.com/

Looks familiar?

 

Thank you!
I've been researching the history of UK police uniforms, and have learned about the "duty band" on the sleeve. Very early duty bands had horizontal stripes, then the stripes were changed to vertical (I can't find just when the change occurred but they were vertical by the late Victorian period). Duty bands were phased out in approximately 1968. Of course, a later puppetmaker could have fashioned puppets with older-style uniforms so this info may be immaterial. As usual, I may be over-thinking all this... but the puppet definitely appears "old". Interesting how the tunic is pieced from scraps, this is very apparent in the back view. It's definitely a well-used puppet that was not meant for close inspection by the audience. I wish I could make out what's written around his neck but all I can discern is "9 1/2". But maybe that's just a joke collar number. And I definitely agree about the buttons being much later than the rest of the puppet.
Curious how this piece ended up in a US thrift store, I hope it's worth at least my $12.50 investment, LOL.

 

So... the duty band at the cuff and the "collar" at the neck appear to be painted duct/duck tape which was not widely sold in hardware stores until after WW2. Hmmmm.

 

I don't think that's duct tape, weave looks all wrong to me.

 

Looking more closely, it could be just a stiffened/starched bit of painted fabric glued on. Thanks for making me re-think it.

Edit: I've sent emails to your recommendations as well as a US guild. Hoping for answers!

 

I think painted fabric is more likely: maybe interlining or chair webbing, looking at it.

 

So I emailed half a dozen puppet guilds/clubs and received one reply. Chris from punchandjudy.com was kind enough to respond:
"There's no way of dating your puppet. It could have been made by any amateur or professional puppeteer during the last hundred years. More likely later rather than earlier, judging by the stripes on the policeman's cuff. I think they perhaps didn't come in until after world war2... I think it is likely that your puppet probably was used professionally... If I had to guess it would be early 1950s".
Chris seems to base his guess on the style of uniform but incorrectly believes the duty band didn't come into use until post-WW2 when actually they are seen on late-Victorian uniforms.
Ultimately, I guess I'll have to let the future buyer decide the puppet's age for himself, but it was fun researching!

 

Well .. Punch and Judy Puppet shows !! This is something that brings back memories for me. I grew up in England right by the seaside, Margate, Westgate, West brook .. in the Summertime the beaches were packed with holiday visitors and the Punch and Judy show was always a hit. We kids spent a lot of time on the beach and never missed the show even though it was pretty well the same every day. I remember the puppets being much nicer looking than this one but I guess it just depended on the maker. I was rather a violent show with Judy hitting Punch and policeman whacking everyone with his truncheon, there were several characters but the one I remember most was Judy's baby. Everybody roared with laughter at the violent goings on and then a hat was passed to put money in. Once after the show when the puppeteer had left we crept up and looked inside the big decorated crate that was the stage, and that's when I spied the puppets hanging on hooks, and there was the 'baby'!! I even managed to reach in and hold it briefly .. It was beautiful with a pretty wooden face, I loved it .. until the puppeteer returned shrieking and hollering .. we took our leave and ran like hell. I've never forgotten that little wooden baby doll and believe it may have been my first interest in dolls. I never had one as a child .. Joy.

 

Sorry that was so long .. Joy.

 

Buttons (which, of course, are replaceable) don't look terribly old. The type of thing I'd expect to see on a post-World War II sports coat.

Debora

 

Both puppets are poorly made ...

 

Joy, thanks for sharing those memories!

 

..

 

They're never that well made, part of the charm. I've got those very buttons, hacked off a 70s dress back in the day. I think we decided they'd been replaced.