Lanchester-Lee Marionette Kits

MANUFACTURED IN THE 1950s BY WALDO LANCHESTER & JOHN LEE

This is an original kit for a 10-inch female Lanchester-Lee Marionette.

Box lid from the Lanchester-Lee Marionette Kit.

Alternative Box Lid.

Illustrated Instruction Sheet for the Lanchester-Lee Marionette.

Two Jointed Male 18-inch Lanchester-Lee Figures.

A 10-inch female figure.

Spare piece of "Leetex" included in every kit.

The Shop Address Panel from the side of the Box.

Suggested Optional Controls for the completed Marionette.

A completed figure. This one is of a slightly different construction and was sold already painted and costumed.

Roman Soldier by Eric Bramall.

Madame Butterfly. A particularly fine example of a Lanchester-Lee Figure by Eric Bramall.

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These are the written instructions from the reverse of the illustrated Instruction Sheet

LANCHESTER-LEE MARIONETTES

JONDA PUPPETCRAFT STUDIOS are already well known as the headquarters of John & Daphne Lee and their work on the London and Provincial stage.  The studios make costume accessories and properties of every description for the Theatre and have been able to turn methods and materials used in this work to the production of the LANCHESTER-LEE MARIONETTE, so skilfully designed by Waldo Lanchester of the Malvern Marionette Theatre.

The diagrammatic instruction sheet is almost self-explanatory and no difficulties should be experienced so long as you work carefully.  Double check all markings before drilling holes and if by ill-chance you do drill inaccurately, do not despair, because with a little care, the hole may be filled and a fresh start made.  The small crosses on the diagram indicate positions of screw eyes for strings, ie: back of body and just above the ears. 

Included in this set of parts is a piece of silvery “LEETEX” for experimental purposes.  Make certain you can do the following operations before starting assembly. 

FIXING SMALL SCREW EYES.  Make a hole smaller than the screw.  Holding screw eye with pliers, heat screw in flame and then press into “LEETEX” which will melt and seal the screw eye firmly in. 

SCREW HOOKS.  Drill hole size of core of screw and screw in as into wood. 

STAPLES.  Make two small holes about 1/32”.  Heat staple, being careful in the case of insulated staples, to avoid burning fibre and press into “LEETEX” as far as required.  With the 18-inch puppet waist and hip joints, staples should be made from the brass wire provided and the leather insertion shape cut from any suitable thin leather that is to hand.  This may be fixed in position after staple is positioned. 

KNEE, FOOT & ELBOW JOINTS.  Drill holes same size as wire provided, 1/16th for 10-inch puppet and 3/32nd for 18-inch puppet.  Cut pins to the correct length, which is slightly shorter than the width of the limb, insert pin and seal in by melting “LEETEX” over both ends. 

SCREW EYE SHOULDER JOINTS.  Used for 10-inch puppet.  Link screw eyes together by opening one eye with pliers and close.  Heat one screw and fix into shoulder with eye horizontal, then fix other eye at right angles to arm. 

SHOULDER JOINT 18-inch.  Cut the 3/8ths dowel in half.  Drill 3/32nd hole through centre of each piece.  Make pin as in diagram, attach to arm and then press dowel into moulded hole in body. 

NECK FIXINGS.  The neck may be fixed to the body in two ways.  Either as in diagram or by drilling a hole through body from front to back and inserting a pin which passes through ring in neck piece and then sealing ends in. 

HINTS ON “LEETEX”.  A broken part may be mended or a limb shortened by heating both faces of “LEETEX” simultaneously and when molten, pressing firmly together.  For extra strength, use a short wire dowel.  Holes or faults may be easily filled with chips from carving, by the aid of a hot iron or wire.  With care, “LEETEX” can be built up to any shape desired.  You must experiment and you will find it a sympathetic material that lends itself to ingenious handling.  It carves beautifully, is without grain, may be scraped and sandpapered for fine finishes.  For best results, it should be painted with a brushing cellulose paint. 

We are most interested to have the comments, criticism and suggestions of everyone using the Lanchester-Lee Marionettes.  The matter of sizes is of particular interest because we wish to increase the range of the puppets and your suggestions are the only real way in which we can determine exactly what is wanted.  So, puppeteers, it is up to you to let us know. 

JONDA PUPPETCRAFT LIMITED.