Toymaker:
PETER
PUPPET
PLAYTHINGS, INC.
(1947-1962)

“"I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race"

~ Frank Sinatra

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PETER PUPPET PLAYTHINGS, INC.

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(1947 - 1962) Peter Puppet Playthings, Inc. was one of many toy companies situated in the NYC area. With the ending of WW2 and the growing popularity of television shows, puppetry went through a rebirth. Peter Puppet Playthings was one of many companies that benefited by the popularity of the Howdy Doody show. The main character was Howdy Doody, and Howdy and most of the other characters were marionettes.

Sales of both marionettes and hand puppets took off and puppetry became something children could do, not just watch on television.

Pictured below are many of the rubber head hand puppets created by Peter Puppet Playthings at their location in Long Island City, NY.

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GALLERY ONE: Howdy Doody Series. Go to Page 2, below, to see further galleries.

Howdy Doody

1950's Original Box

Clarabell

Clarabell - from Howdy Doody - 1950s - Original Box

Mr. Bluster

Boxed Puppet - 1950's - Howdy Doody Character

(Don't miss page 2)

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Fun Facts:

1. Peter Puppet Playthings specialized in marionette

construction, many of which can be seen here.

2. The hand puppets often were sold in boxed sets of six, the most popular set being the Howdy Doody series, including (l-r) Dilly Dally, Clarabell the Clown, Flub-A-Dub, Howdy Doody, Princess Summerfall Winterspring and Mr. Bluster.

3. The phrases "Kowabunga" "The Peanut Gallery" and other familiar terms from the past originated in the Howdy Doody TV series. Read more here, in a fascinating story about a fan's journey to locate the unknown writer of the entire series, who was buried in an unmarked grave in Detroit!

4. Buffalo Bob Smith hailed from Buffalo. "Whereas other 1950s children's series were appreciated by adults for their tender wit—such Bert Tillstrom's puppet show "Kukla, Fran and Ollie"—or were presented for educational value—such as "Ask Mr. Wizard", a science show—the Howdy Doody Show was strictly aimed at pleasing children, which it did to dizzying excess." - Wikipedia article

5. Peter Puppet Playthings were awarded licenses to create puppets modeled on other popular television series from that time period, including Superman, the Flinstones, and more...