top of page
head tom and jerry_edited_edited.png

Identify Your Puppet

head tom and jerry_edited.png
The Maker's Mark

There was no "industry standard" on the labeling of puppets. In many cases, however, either the "Maker's Mark" or the company that licensed the maker (gave official permission to use their character/name) will appear on the back of the head, or even along the bottom edge of the base of the puppet's head.

101 Dalmations.jpg
GUND TAG.jpg
DONALD TAG.jpg

The use of identification tags also varies from company to company (should they even exist at all). Generally, companies who mass-produced dolls would have the name of the character, the copyright or licensing information, and their own name and/or logo.

​

Depending on how long the toymaker was in business, or how often their logo changed, these tags would vary.

At times, makers would actually print their manufacturing name and/or the licensing or copyright information on the cloth of the body of the puppet as in the case of this composition-made puppet from the thirties made by Edgar Bergen.

​

The use of materials and style of the hands sometimes

is an additional source of reference as well.

edgar bergan charlie mccarthy puppet
1957 CAPTAIN KANGAROO HAND PUPPETS AD.jpg

Part of the pleasure of collecting puppets includes the education process. Suggestions include the following:

​​

  • Online museum research (see Resource Page)

  • Google search of Doll manufacturers, many of whom also made puppets

  • Social Media (Facebook groups, PINTEST boards (many collectors post information about vintage puppets

  • Auction websites such as ebay, Etsy, Hakes

  • Toy Shows

  • Online copies of the Sear's Wish Book (!) and toymakers advertising pages (see left)

  • Seeking out advice of other collector's whose experience is greater

  • Reference Books (again, see Resource Page)

  • Company websites

  • Wikipedia is a good source for a variety of information

Gund Logos

UNIQUE WAYS TO IDENTIFY YOUR

GUND RUBBER HEAD HAND PUPPET

​

1. It is helpful to know the history of this 120+ year old toy manufacturer, which was recently sold to one of the largest toy companies in the world, Spinmaster (A Canadian firm founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

​

2. The best source is the company website itself, which shares the many logos used in the production of its toys.

​

3. Also, Wikipedia has a wonderful article about this company, sharing licensing information.

What is your puppet worth?
The value of a particular puppet is based on a number of different factors, including -

​

  • The demand for the puppet

  • The puppet's age

  • Rarity

  • Condition

  • Markings

  • Size

  • Puppet's quality

  • Artist talent and workmanship

  • Visual appeal

  • Puppet's style and Body type

  • Clothing and accessories such as hats, shoes, etc.

  • Whether the puppet is completely original

  • Whether the puppet has been repaired or restored and the type of repair or restoration

bottom of page