1945-49 Super Rare BAPS Puppet Theatre & 22 Rod-Puppets

Collectibles : Toys

 

Super Rare and most wonderful, this BAPS puppet theatre from Nurnberg, Germany, is in excellent condition with twenty-two BAPS rod-puppets. The theatre front is (20" wide x 16.5" high), sides (6.5" deep x 16.5" high) and stage (5" deep x 10" wide) are all masonite, with front & sides covered in red, yellow, green & blue printed paper, and violet-painted slotted stage. Theatre is stamped: "BAPS // Neuen Nurnberger Puppenspiele" and "Made in U.S. Zone Germany", which positively dates this piece from 1945-1949. There is a roll-up front curtain, and a back rod from which scenery probably is meant to hang, or a back curtain – painting or photographing scenery would be a fun project to enhance this set. The 22 rod-puppets are typical BAPS figures made of felt (people figures have painted cloth faces, animals are all felt) with the added features of rods attached inside the heads & through the bodies so they sashay when they 'walk', and springs instead of lower legs so they can hop, bounce and jump. Figures are in very good to mint condition. Sizes – all plus 2.75" rod & cast metal base, etc., listed below. Round paper labels "Made In Germany // USZ." (U.S. Zone) on bottom of these 16 puppets. Snow White 4.25" & Seven Dwarfs– each 2.25" with different expression. Peter Rabbit 2.75"+ ears, Mother Rabbit 5.25" & the Flopsy Bunnies (3@ 2.5"+ ears. VERY RARE Father Christmas 5". EXTREMELY RARE Snowman 5". NEVER SEEN BEFORE Lady Giraffe 9" in 1890s-style costume – what possible fairytale. Mother Cat 4.25" & (3) Kittens with Mittens 3" (feet stamped "Made In Germany". Alice 4.5" & the White Rabbit 4"+ ears (no labels. Most of the puppets are dressed in felt clothing, while six have cloth clothes. The printed lid and the plain bottom of the original box, each measuring 17" high x 21" wide, are a great DISCOVERY of BAPS identification and information that has never surfaced before– inside the lid are "Instructions for game" in German, English & French, and company information: "...Firma Edith v. Arps-Aubert // Nurnberg, Flaschenhofstrasse 55". Box lid marked: "Die Neuen Nurnberger Puppenspiele". Stamped on the bottom: "Made in U.S. Zone Germany". Fantastic find!!

Item ID: 508