Three Stooges Hand Puppet Set (Ideal Novelty and Toy Co., 1937). ...

Description

Three Stooges Hand Puppet Set (Ideal Novelty and Toy Co., 1937). Vintage set of (3) hand puppets featuring the Three Stooges - Moe, Larry, and Curly. Each Stooge has a head made of painted composition material, with a felt body and hands. Each measures approx. 11" tall and 8" across with arms spread wide. These puppets were made in 1937, are the very first Stooges-related toy produced for children, and sold in select Department stores. The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. offered this set in two versions, with this being the more desirable and harder-to-find 'large head' version. These puppets were on display at the "Three Stooges" exhibition at the Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, CA. from May 22, 2024 until March 9, 2025. Exhibiting light handling and wear with significant paint loss and cracking. From the Three Stooges Memorabilia Collection of Three Stooges Author and Historian Jim Pauley. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: One of the best of classic comedy teams, and certainly one of the most loved, the Three Stooges - Moe, Larry, and Curly - are represented by these wonderful vintage hand puppets. Each Stooge has a head made of painted composition material, with a felt body and hands. Each measures approximately 11" tall and 8" across with arms spread wide.
These puppets were made one year only (1937) and are the very first Stooges related toy produced for children, which were sold in select Department stores. They are treasured by collectors for the comedy they represent, and for their detailed likeness to Moe, Larry and Curly. The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. offered this set in two versions. This set is the more desirable and even harder to find "large head" version, which was produced before the "small head" version. Experienced collectors believe that less than eight "large head" 1937 puppet sets exists today. It is certainly a wonderful example of a piece of Stooges History. The last set of 1937 "large head" Three Stooges Puppets (with an original box) sold on July 27, 2023 at Heritage Auctions for $13,750 (including buyer's premium).
This exact set of 3 puppets recently ended a Three Stooges exhibition at the Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, CA. They were on display to the public from May 22, 2024 until March 9, 2025.


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