From: Widerman-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 1996 23:57:03 -0400
Subject: Re: Help with Marionette!


Doug, 

In a message dated 96-10-08 09:58:03 EDT, you write:

<<  Subj:	No Subject
Date:	96-10-08 09:58:03 EDT
From:	credo-AT-imcnet.net (Rev. Mr. Doug Marlow)
To:	Widerman-AT-aol.com (Steven Widerman on Marionettes)

Steven, Got a great marionette from an antique dealer.  It is a 
skeleton 
about 15 inches tall.  The original stringing of this puppet had 
strings that went to the head and one through the head.  A ring 
makes the head (skull) go up.  The joints are joined with thread 
through holes in the bones.  It's very authentic looking and a great 
piece. I'm delighted to have gotten it.  Here's the problem.  The 
stringing has detached in part and some of the strings for the legs 
went through the hands...a bit different from the 9 string 
controller.  The controller is an 18" rod, has two "airplane" wings, 
one attached at the front and one on a hook in the middle of the 
rod.  Then at the back end of the rod there is a round disk with the 
head string going through it with a ring to pull the head up off the 
shoulders.  Each of the airplanes has four strings...hmm seems like 
that accounts for nine strings but the disk at the back has two 
holes with no strings, either two additional strings or they passed 
through there originally to offer some "trick" gimmick.  Anybody 
have any ideas on what I have and how to string it?  No marks 
anywhere.  Thanks Doug >>


Sounds like you have a "break-away" skeleton manufactured  by Pelham Puppets
in England. This is a classic "trick" marionette and the Pelham version is a
finely built mass-produced version, familiar to many puppeteers.

First, this is a vertical control and should be restrung while held
vertically. It is designed so that when you tilt the control forward to
horizontal, the arms and legs separate from the rest of the body. Returning
to vertical draws the arms and legs back into place on the body. A really
clever trick puppet! The top "airplane" wing has four strings - two pass
through screw eyes and attach to the shoulders and two pass through screw
eyes and attach to the top of the thighs. In the vertical position, the arms
and legs are held in place on the body at the screw eyes. The detachable
leg-bar (the other "airplane wing') on the hook has only two strings that
pass through the tops of the hands, then there is a knot which holds the
hands in position, and continues down to attach at the top of the knee joint.

The missing strings to the round disk must be replaced first, before any of
the other strings. There should be three strings from the round disk to the
body. One at center passes through the head and attaches to the top of the
spine. Two on either side go through screw eyes on either side of the head
(these keep the head from spinning around when you pull on the ring that
raises it) and attach to the body directly below the screw eyes on the sides
of the head. These three strings support the weight of the puppet at rest.
Attach the others as I have described and you should have a working
disjointing skeleton. I hope this is all clear, wish I could draw a diagram.
Give it a go and let me know. I regret to say that I doubt your piece is an
antique, but don't let that spoil your fun. I learned a lot from that little
Pelham skeleton!

     -Steven->



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