A significant and sentimental piece of British television history is poised to find a new home this spring. The original puppets of Sooty and Sweep, personally owned and operated by their creator, the legendary puppeteer Harry Corbett, are being offered at auction by his son, Dave Corbett. This cherished collection, which also includes two Soo puppets and a unique mechanical device, is expected to fetch up to £6,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire. However, beyond the estimate lies a profound family narrative, tracing the humble origin of a global children’s phenomenon to a simple act of fatherly love on a rainy holiday in Blackpool.
The story begins in 1948, when Harry Corbett, then an engineer for Leeds Council, purchased a yellow bear glove puppet for seven shillings and sixpence to amuse his two young sons, Dave and Matthew, during a family trip. Dave, now 81, recalls the tale passed down through family lore: “I don’t remember it because I was so young, but we were on holiday in Blackpool on the North Pier when dad bought the puppet to amuse me and my brother Matthew.” This spontaneous purchase, initially known simply as ‘Teddy’, was transformed at the family hearth in Guiseley, near Leeds. It was Harry’s wife, Marjorie—affectionately known as Toabs—who dabbed some soot from the fireplace onto the puppet’s ears and nose, making him more endearing and, in doing so, christening him ‘Sooty’. This domestic origin story underscores how the character was, from its very first moments, an intimate part of the Corbett family life.
The collection for sale is deeply personal, comprising the puppets that were genuine fixtures in the Corbett household and on early television. Dave is parting with the iconic yellow Sooty, two Sweep puppets, and two versions of Soo. Particularly fascinating is the inclusion of a specially designed mechanical device, created by the show’s prop maker, Bill Garret. This contraption was built to assist Marjorie when she became the voice and operator of Soo in 1964, as her puppetry skills needed a little technical support. Marjorie also named ‘Soo’ as a shortening of ‘Sooty’ and crafted all the puppets’ miniature outfits herself. These artifacts offer a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the ingenious and collaborative family effort that brought the show to life, blending homemade charm with practical ingenuity.
For Dave, these are not merely props, but vessels of vivid childhood memories and his father’s profound dedication. He recalls handing props up to his father from beneath the television table during broadcasts and witnessing Harry’s meticulous care for Sooty, whom he treated “like a child, an actual person and a real part of his life.” Dave remembers his father using a pin to fastidiously comb the puppet’s fur before performances. Sooty’s TV debut in 1952 sparked a sensation, with the mischievous, magic-wand-wielding bear capturing the nation’s heart. The puppets Harry used were unique, made by toymaker Chad Valley with elongated bodies suited for professional puppetry, and were often gifted by a generous Harry to friends and colleagues, making this surviving family-held set exceptionally rare.
The auction also includes a hardback This Is Your Life album, presented to Harry by presenter Michael Aspel after the 1988 edition of the show, famously featuring Aspel’s arrival in a full-size Sooty costume. The album is signed, “Got you at last, Harry!” This item bookends a remarkable career that saw Sooty become a cultural icon, even meeting Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1955—an encounter memorable for Sooty cheekily squirting a water pistol at the Duke. Harry continued until a heart attack led to his retirement in 1976, passing the wand to his son Matthew. Dave pursued a career in education and children’s entertainment, but now feels it is time for these treasured items, currently stored in a box, to be cherished by a new custodian.
Charles Hanson of Hansons Auctioneers captured the significance of the sale, noting, “What makes this Sooty, Sweep and Soo stand head and shoulders above the rest is they were effectively part of the Corbett family and owned by Harry himself.” With provenance “that could not be better,” interest is anticipated from museums, private collectors, and television historians, potentially causing prices to “skyrocket.” Indeed, in 2018, an original Harry Corbett-era Sooty puppet set a world record by selling for £14,500 at the same auction house. This sale is more than a transaction; it is the passing of a legacy. For Dave Corbett, it is about ensuring these beloved “strips of fur,” which represent decades of laughter, family creativity, and iconic British entertainment, find a home where their magic and history will be honoured for generations to come.
