Summary

Alternative Name(s): Marionette
Puppet wearing Melbourne Football Club jumper made by Lamont Puppets, South Yarra in the 1960s.
Lamont Puppets operated during the 1960s and 1970s. Their puppets, which included both hand puppets and marionettes, were sold throughout Australia as well as in the USA, Europe and the Pacific. Lamont puppets were chosen for the Australian-designed products exhibition in the Australian pavilion at EXPO '77 in Japan. Lamont, like many Australian toy manufacturers, closed down when it was unable to compete with cheaper imported toys.
The marionette is an example of a VFL-related souvenir marketed to children. These were produced in team colours during the late 1960s in the days before official licensing controlled what could be sold. These marionettes were an exception as hand puppets were typically produced for younger children as they were easier to operate and they had no strings to tangle.

Physical Description

Marionette with a round wooden head with painted features on a wooden body. Plastic strung legs and feet. Plastic hands. Wearing a cloth printed jumper. Yellow woollen hair. Puppet controlled by cotton and elastic strings attached to a wooden rod.

More Information