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I am told by the previous owner that she took possession of this from new in the 1940s however it may have been available earlier than that hence the 1930s added in the title at the top of this page.
 
It comes in the original box which is in a battered condition and all the edges have been taped up over the years
The theatre itself is constructed entirely of thick cardboard, possibly leatherboard (just like the Dinky Dolly Varden dolls house of the same era) and the colour is just glorious!
The theatre stage is easily erected by basically just pulling gently into shape, then it stands upright as seen in the above photo.
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The characters included are as follows:-
JOLLY JINKS- the Pierrot
The WHITE EYED COON-from Kentucky (my apologies for this, just shows how times & attitudes have changed thankfully!)
PAULINE and her performing Pony "Snowdrop"
PUNCHINELLO
PERFORMING DOG
TOM, the Piper's Son with his Pig
GOLDY LOCKS and her performing Bear
SYLVETTE The Glittering Transformation Dancer (yes the top part of her skirt moves right round to make her look....different?)
Tom the Piper's Son with his pig treading the boards!
There are eight characters in all plus just Humpty Dumpty's legs (the rest of him is sadly missing). Also missing is the character "Dainty Miss Wooden Shoes" and "Sylvette " has lost a foot.
All the others are in excellent condition and have a taped loop on the back that metal rods are inserted into. These rods are replacements but I am told by previous owner practically identical to the original. Certain elements of each character are constructed in such a way that they can jig and dance when moving the rod.
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The stage is in excellent condition apart from just one pencil mark as seen in photo plus in the bottom far right hand corner it is a little wrinkled.
Also included in the box is a small sheet of paper which is the "Programme" which lists the characters in order starting off with an "Overture" and ends in "GOD SAVE THE KING"!
The theatre measures 17 1/4" in width x 13 1/4" high x 4" deep
The box measures 18" x 14" x 2"
This really is a fabulous & quite rare item!
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