Lanchester-Lee
Marionette Kits
MANUFACTURED IN THE
1950s BY WALDO LANCHESTER & JOHN LEE
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This is an original kit for a 10-inch female Lanchester-Lee Marionette. |
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Box lid from the Lanchester-Lee Marionette Kit. |
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Illustrated Instruction Sheet for the Lanchester-Lee Marionette. |
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Two Jointed Male 18-inch Lanchester-Lee Figures. |
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Spare piece of "Leetex" included in every kit. |
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The Shop Address Panel from the side of the Box. |
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Suggested Optional Controls for the completed Marionette. |
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A completed figure. This one is of a slightly different construction and was sold already painted and costumed. |
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Roman Soldier by Eric Bramall. |
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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.