File spoon-archives/puptcrit.archive/puptcrit_1999/puptcrit.9907, message 17


Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 16:02:21 +0000
From: Steve Millward <millstev-AT-isu.edu>
Subject: Re: PUPT: The Dwiggins Marionettes


Angusson-AT-aol.com wrote:
> 
> Dear Steve,
> 
> You wrote:
> 
> >You mentioned that he was a docent for the Dwight Wiggins display at
> >the Boston Public Library.  I was wondering where the Wiggins collection
> >is now, and are they on display?
> 
> That would be the W.A. Dwiggins' Marionette Collection still at the Boston
> Public Library as far as I know.  His stage, marionettes and other
> paraphernalia are housed there with a goodly amount on display.  Bill
> Dwiggins was a calligrapher and typographer by profession and had a small
> marionette theater in his lower studio. He and a few friends staged puppet
> entertainments for the locals in Massachusetts. The marionettes were between
> 8" and 10" tall and fashioned using a method he developed called the
> "Puterschein Authority."   The marionettes were played during the mid
> thirties. The modeling of these wonderful figures shows an economy of line
> without sacrificing essential character image. His construction approaches
> were (are) used by many puppeteers using marionettes.
> 
> The Dwiggins Marionettes by Dorothy Abbe, published 1969 by Harry N Abrams,
> Inc. New York.   Lib. of Congress # 70-86956  is still available from the
> PofA Puppetry Store,  and well worth the price. Full of detailed photos and
> drawings including those published by Paul McPharlin in his puppetry Imprints
> series called Marionette in Motion. A great Resource!
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Fred Thompson.

Fred,
Thanks for the info, and for correcting my error with Mr. Dwiggins
name.  I guess I typify the old saying that "I never remember a name,
but I ALWAYS forget a face."  Old age is creeping up on me, and they say
that memory is the second thing to go.  (I don't remember what the first
was)  At any rate, I appreciate knowing that the Dwiggins photographs
are available at the PoA bookstore.  I'll see if I can get a copy. 
Thanks for your help and kindness.

Take care,

Steve Millward


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