Not currently on display at the V&A

Photograph

ca.1938 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Fred Tickner (1898-1992) was a Punch and Judy professor and one of the great makers of Punch and Judy figures whose style influenced many later makers. Although his style could always be recognised, each Punch he made was entirely individual. Tickner gave the first performance of Punch and Judy on television in the 1930s, and also made the original Muffin the Mule for BBC television.

Bruce Macloud was a well known Scottish Punch professor, known as 'Uncle Mac', who carved his puppets from oak and toured widely with his show 'from Bournemouth to Burma'. He appeared on television with his Punch and Judy in the 1930s, and in the 1940s took part in the radio programme In Town Tonight, after which he was depicted on one of the Churchman's series of cigarette cards In Town Tonight.

This photograph was taken outside the Leicester Square branch of the tobacconist's Angel Botibol & Company that had several branches around London in the 1930s. The sign to the Post Office at 39 Charing Cross Road also pinpoints the location. The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild held its annual exhibitions for several years at Victory House in Leicester Square, and the label on the back shows that this was taken as a publicity photograph for one of their exhibitions, possibly that held from 24-30 October 1938.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Photograph
Brief description
Photograph of Fred Tickner (1898-1992) (left) and Bruce Macloud (right) holding versions of Mr. Punch and Clown, standing outside a branch of the tobacconist's Angel Botibil & Company, in London's Leicester Square. Photograph by Howard Marks, labelled 'The Punch and Judy Men Meet'. Taken at an Annual Exhibition of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild exhibition, possibly October 1938. Black and white photograph by Hayward Marks. Gerald Morice Collection.
Physical description
Black and white photograph of Fred Tickner and Bruce Macloud, standing outside a branch of the tobacconist's Angel Botibil & Company, in London's Leicester Square. Tickner holds a Mr. Punch with each hand, Bruce Macloud a Mr. Punch with his right hand and Clown with his left.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
  • Width: 14.1cm
Credit line
Given by Gerald Morice
Summary
Fred Tickner (1898-1992) was a Punch and Judy professor and one of the great makers of Punch and Judy figures whose style influenced many later makers. Although his style could always be recognised, each Punch he made was entirely individual. Tickner gave the first performance of Punch and Judy on television in the 1930s, and also made the original Muffin the Mule for BBC television.

Bruce Macloud was a well known Scottish Punch professor, known as 'Uncle Mac', who carved his puppets from oak and toured widely with his show 'from Bournemouth to Burma'. He appeared on television with his Punch and Judy in the 1930s, and in the 1940s took part in the radio programme In Town Tonight, after which he was depicted on one of the Churchman's series of cigarette cards In Town Tonight.

This photograph was taken outside the Leicester Square branch of the tobacconist's Angel Botibol & Company that had several branches around London in the 1930s. The sign to the Post Office at 39 Charing Cross Road also pinpoints the location. The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild held its annual exhibitions for several years at Victory House in Leicester Square, and the label on the back shows that this was taken as a publicity photograph for one of their exhibitions, possibly that held from 24-30 October 1938.
Collection
Accession number
S.3490-2013

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Record createdDecember 30, 2013
Record URL
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