OK SMOLDER TIME
KEEPING in the spirit of this week I’m doing Legends and Fantasy and for my collectibles we’re doing Alice in Wonderland.
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland duly came out from Macmillan in 1865 under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, which was arrived at by a complicated process that involved turning the names Charles Lutwidge into Latin as Carolus Ludovicus and inverting them.
“In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland $9.99
In 1951, there were two Alice in Wonderland movies made–one from Disney–the animation we all know. The other much lesser known one created by a puppet master Lou Bunin a master puppeteer.
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
BUNIN’S WHITE RABBIT SOLD FOR $3,750.00 AT AUCTION 2014.
Bunin’s film was five years in the making and featured an actress that interacted with a troupe of 7″ puppets made to look life size.
“You used to be much more…”muchier.” You’ve lost your muchness.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Bill the Lizard puppet from Alice in Wonderland Estimated $2,000 – $3,000.
Neither Bunin’s or Disney’s films made a profit but Bunin had to contend with a law suit by Disney and critics who called his production “solemn and lifeless.”
“I don’t think…” then you shouldn’t talk, said the Hatter.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
In 1989, Bunin sold his poppets at a NYC auction.
“If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
BUNIN’S KING OF HEARTS FROM THE MOVIE
Bunin was a pioneer in stop motion work having developed his own method of wire armatures and different kinds of skins for the puppets. He first gained attention with his WWII propaganda Paramount short BURY THE AXIS and at MGM with the prologue to ZIEGFIELD FOLLIES
“We’re all mad here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
CHESHIRE CAT FROM MOVIE went for $11,000 at 2014 auction
Oh and by the way Disney could not block Bunin’s production, but neither movie were around long due to their low attendance.
“You would have to be half mad to dream me up.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
ITEM OF THE WEEK:
EARLY 17th-CENTURY BRUSSELS TAPESTRY est. $12,000-$15,000
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
“The Mad Hatter: “Would you like some wine?”
Alice: “Yes…”
The Mad Hatter: “We haven’t any and you’re too young.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
SOURCES
http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/alice-wonderland-story-first-told#sthash.OFvZzgyL.dpuf
ANTIQUE ROADSHOW INSIDER News August 2014