Name/Title
Handcrafted Stop-Motion Puppet – Top Hat Tramp (c.1970s–1990s)Entry/Object ID
S9XKST2677Description
Artist: Alan Platt (c.1941–2022)
Height: 35 cm
Medium: Mixed media – hand-moulded head, textile costuming, painted wooden feet
Condition: Vintage – fragile; signs of age and use consistent with its role in stop-frame animation
Overview
A masterfully expressive puppet, dressed in layered rags with a slumped top hat and feather. This character reflects the classic ‘tramp’ or vagrant trope—possibly from The Happy Prince or a similar story. His costume, hunched posture and subtle gesture suggest both mischief and melancholy, showcasing Platt’s emotional range in puppet design.
Production Context
Exact production unknown, but likely tied to a literary or fairy-tale adaptation. The worn clothing and stylised expression hint at a Dickensian street character or symbolic figure in a stop-motion film.
Provenance
Alan Platt was a Paraparaumu-based animator who worked for nearly 40 years on stop-motion films for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. He won three BAFTAs and a Peabody Award.
This piece was part of a group of puppets donated by Alan Platt to a local charity. Through my role as a designer and having worked with Platt, I was able to select standout pieces for preservation and collector offering—museum-level works of craftsmanship and cultural value.
Condition Note
This puppet is in fragile vintage condition and best suited for display or conservation. Minor wear and material fragility are consistent with age and use. Gentle handling is advised.
Collector’s Note
An original piece of handcrafted animation history—ideal for collectors of puppetry, stop-motion, or character design.
More to Come
More puppets from this unique archive will be listed. Visit our Facebook page for updates, or DM me to learn more.
S9XKST2677
