Not currently on display at the V&A

Archie Andrews

Ventriloquist's Doll
1955 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ventriloquist's dummy representing Archie Andrews. The head is of moulded plastic, with a moveable lower jaw operated by metal finger-hook inside the body. The front of the body is moulded and painted to represent a white shirt and black bowtie. The doll's jacket is of grey felt, with 'AA' on the pocket and a large slit at the back. The lower body is a wooden block with a dowel post between it and the head. The arms and legs are padded soft blue plastic. The hands are soft PVC, the trousers are red plastic, the feet are moulded to represent a pair of black shoes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleArchie Andrews (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
PVC, moulded and painted; wood; felt
Brief description
ventriloquial of Archie Andrews; Palitoy, 1955, plastic, wood, felt, moulded
Physical description
Ventriloquist's dummy representing Archie Andrews. The head is of moulded plastic, with a moveable lower jaw operated by metal finger-hook inside the body. The front of the body is moulded and painted to represent a white shirt and black bowtie. The doll's jacket is of grey felt, with 'AA' on the pocket and a large slit at the back. The lower body is a wooden block with a dowel post between it and the head. The arms and legs are padded soft blue plastic. The hands are soft PVC, the trousers are red plastic, the feet are moulded to represent a pair of black shoes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.6cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'ARCHIE ANDREWS / PALITOY / MADE IN ENGLAND'
Credit line
Given by Major Charles Kirke.
Object history
Given by Charles Kirke in 1983 [83/1156]. Charles Kirke was born January 26, 1949. His mother worked in the toy department of Marshall & Snelgrove, many of the toys which he donated to us were given to him as Christmas presents between 1954 and 1962.
Historical context
Archie Andrews was a ventriloquist's dummy used by ventriloquist Peter Brough in a radio and television show in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.141-1983

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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