by Richard Coombs » 01 Oct 2013, 12:19
I agree .
Lots of possibilities there Chris T
It could be that it was repainted many times ( and expressions and smiles are often difficult things to recapture when painting a new layer over an old one )
The puppet shows signs of being re-dressed too ..I spy different braids on the cloak for example , and slightly different horizontal braiding across his tummy.
But the Hat is most certainly different in the colour photo to the black and white ...in all aspects ..the braiding the buttoning at the front , the height , the shape and the stuffing ---- whether the Mr Punch is the same in both pics is unclear ..but the Hat certainly isn't.
As I said , possibly a major case of refurbishment in repainting and redressing.
OR it could be a totally different puppet .
Not necessarily a replacement when the old on 'wore out' ...possibly even a 'matching' one ..with both carved and dressed at the same time , and alternated during the performers long career.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility for someone going to work the beach for many many seasons, to know that having a second mister punch might be useful years up the line ?
Although not identical , if there are two puppets , they are a fine 'match.
In any case I am 100% sure the one I saw so often as a child was the colour picture ....the size and shape of the hat ...and the buttons on it are emblazoned in my happy memories.
Richard