Posted 15 years ago
wendyraean…
(1 item)
I know little about these. I purchased a bag of marionettes for $15.00 at a thrift store. The are made of wood, stamped with "Made in Mexico" on the bottom of the feet. The faces and hands are chipped some. some type of ceramic or chalk type of substance. They need to be restrung. Thought they were really interesting looking. Would love to know more about them
I'm afraid there is really little to know about them. Made in Mexico like thousands of mexican marionettes. There isn't much of a market for these kinds of marionettes yet. Yours is more desirable because it's popeye, but you paid about what they are worth, at least for now. I would guess they are 40-50 years old. I never lose hope that marionettes will catch on in the market, but not until I have all that I want. :)
They were made in central Mexico in a plant originally built by Marx Toys. They date to around 1955/56 and in "fair' condition should be worth around $500 for the pair. Don't try to fix them or improve them. Modern modifications can make the value plummet.