Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Howdy Doody Finger Puppets

American History Museum

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Object Details

previous owner

Rollins, Hazelle H.

manufacturer

Molded Latex Products, Inc.

maker

Molded Latex Products, Inc.

Description (Brief)

These three finger puppets are part of child's toy set based on characters from the popular children's television series, The Howdy Doody Show that aired from 1947-1960. The puppets include Howdy Doody the cowboy, Phineas T. Butler the mayor, and Clara Bell the clown.
Made of soft molded latex, the heads are attached to a paper body with a cardboard backing printed to look like clothing. There is a small hole at the bottom of the head for your finger. Originally, the set was packaged in a cardboard box that doubled as a stage. The popularity of Howdy Doody created a sensation and this toy set was just one of many toys created to market the show to children.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Anne W. and John W. Rollins, Jr.

Date made

1947 - 1960

ID Number

1980.0910.10

accession number

1980.0910

catalog number

1980.0910.10

Object Name

puppet

Physical Description

rubber (overall material)
fabric (overall material)
cardboard (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 6 in x 2 in x 2 in; 15.24 cm x 5.08 cm x 5.08 cm

place made

United States: New Jersey, Paterson

Associated Place

United States: New York, New York

See more items in

Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Puppets

Data Source

National Museum of American History

general subject association

Puppetry
Radio and television broadcasting

Subject

Television broadcasts
Children's television programs
Consumerism

general subject association

Television

Subject

Toys

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-dda5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_662709

Discover More

Jackie Robinson

1947: A Year in the Collections

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use